Air Pollution

1
Air Pollution
2
Whats in the Air?

• Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor,
  and other gases
• Air pollution
• Solid particles and gases that are released into
  the air are called emissions.
• Motor vehicles release gases such as carbon
  monoxide

3
Smog

• Photochemical Smog
• Thick brownish haze formed when certain gases in
  the air react with sunlight.
• Sources
• Gases emitted by automobiles and trucks and
  industrial facilities
• Produce ozone

4
Smog

• Temperature Inversion
• Normally, pollutants rise high in the air and
  blow away.
• During a temperature inversion, a layer of warm
  air traps pollutants close to the ground

5
Smog

• Health Effects
• Itchy, watery eyes and a scratchy throat
• Lung problems
• Harm the bodys defenses against infection
• Smog alert

6
Acid Rain

• Rain is naturally a little acidic
• When precipitation is mixed with nitrogen oxides
  and sulfur oxides produced by the burning of coal
  and oil, the process produces nitric acid and
  sulfuric acid
• Acid rain changes the conditions in ponds and
  lakes, affecting the wildlife.
• Acid rain on the ground can damage plants.

7
The Ozone Layer

• Even a small amount of ozone in the atmosphere
  protects people from the effects of too much
  ultraviolet radiation.
• Ozone Hole
• Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs block the cycle
  that absorbs radiation.
• Refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosol spray
  cans
• 1990 many nations signed an agreement to ban the
  use of almost all CFCs by the year 2000.