env biol week 5 air

Air Quality

Refers to the amounts of gases and small particles in the atmosphere that influence ecosystems or humans.

Air Pollution

Refers to gases and small particles that are in high enough concentrations to harm humans, other organisms, or structures.

Donora Smog Incident

A weather anomaly in Donora, Pennsylvania from a zinc smelter in 1948 where cold air trapped pollution, resulting in 20 deaths and 1000s sick.

Primary Air Pollutants

Pollutants that are directly released from identifiable sources.

Secondary Air Pollutants

Pollutants that are produced in the atmosphere via reactions among components.

Particulate Matter (PM10)

Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.

Clean Air Act

A series of U.S. laws aimed at controlling air pollution on a national level.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature.

Acid Rain

Precipitation that has higher levels of acidity due to sulfur and nitrogen emissions.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. agency tasked with protecting human health and the environment.

Ozone Layer

A region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty designed to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Lead Shot

A type of ammunition that has been banned for waterfowl hunting due to its toxicity to wildlife.

Mercury Poisoning

A serious health condition that can occur from exposure to mercury, leading to neurological damage.

Asbestos

A fibrous material used in building materials that was fire resistant that is known to cause serious lung diseases. banned, still present

Radon

A naturally occurring radioactive gas from rocks that can accumulate in homes and increase the risk of lung cancer.

Acute Effects of Mercury Poisoning

Include nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain.

Chlorinated Fluorocarbons (CFCs)

Synthetic compounds used as refrigerants that were banned due to their role in ozone depletion.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Refers to the air quality within and around buildings as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

A standardized way of reporting air quality and related health effects to the public.

temperature inversion

warm blanket of air covers and traps the cold air in valley

aerosols

particulate matter suspended in air like viruses, smoke, fog, dust, pollen

virus transmission

spread depending on the size of droplets and viability outside of host

natural pollutants

volcanos, radon, pollen

point sources

large stationary localized structures release pollutants, smokestacks

non-point sources

smoller, mobile numerous structures release pollutants, cars

bad ozone

low in atmosphere, bad to breathe, VOC and NOx makes ozone ground level

good ozone

high in sky, protects orgs. from UV light, reduces skin cancer

carburetors

devices that mix air and fuel for combustion in engines, contributing to emissions and air pollution.

catalytic converters

devices that reduce harmful emissions from internal combustion engines by converting pollutants into less harmful substances.

acid rain

sulfur and nitrogen form acids in water, from emmisions, lowers pH in lakes and soils which kills tress and fish, not as severe now from clean air act

lead poisoning

low levels-harm fetuses, medium levels- harm children high levels-harm adukts

Minamata disease

neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning, names from chisso factory in japan

Mad hatter

mercury poisoning from making hats

PCBs, poly-chlorinated biphenyls

synthetic forever chemicals, carcinogens, from industrial applications, banned

indoor fires

common in developing countries, high deaths, solar cookers made to help avoid high firewood use and avoid indoor fires