Air quality

What is a temperature inversion?

Warm air traps cool air near the ground, trapping pollution.

Why do temperature inversions worsen air pollution?

Pollutants can’t rise and disperse, so they build up near the surface

Why is Los Angeles vulnerable to inversions?

It is in a basin surrounded by mountains, so pollution gets trapped.

What is stratospheric ozone?

“Good” ozone high in the atmosphere that blocks harmful UV radiation.

What is tropospheric ozone?

“Bad” ground-level ozone that is part of smog.

How does ground-level ozone form?

VOCs + NOx react in sunlight.

Why is ground-level ozone harmful?

It causes breathing problems and harms plants/crops.

What is particulate matter (PM)?

Tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in air.

Why is PM2.5 especially dangerous?

It is tiny enough to go deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

What is PM10?

Particles 2.5–10 µm that irritate upper airways.

What are sources of particulate matter?

Vehicles, wildfires, power plants, industry.

What is acid rain?

Acidic precipitation formed from SO2 and NOx emissions.

What causes acid rain?

SO2 and NOx react with water vapor to form sulfuric/nitric acids.

What are effects of acid rain?

Acidifies soil/lakes, damages forests, buildings, and monuments.

What were major air pollutants in mid-1900s Los Angeles?

Lead, NO2, SO2, CO, ozone, and particulate matter.

What helped improve LA air quality?

California Air Resources Board rules and the Clean Air Act.

What are the EPA criteria air pollutants from these slides?

Ozone, particulate matter, NO2, CO, SO2, and lead.

Ozone source?

VOCs + NOx chemical reaction.

Ozone health effects?

Breathing impairment, chest pain, throat irritation.

Ozone environmental effects?

Damages vegetation and increases smog.

Particulate matter sources?

Vehicles, fires, power plants, industry.

Particulate matter health effects?

Lung/heart effects, airway irritation, premature death.

Particulate matter environmental effects?

Haze, crop/forest damage, lake acidification

NO2 source?

Fuel combustion.

NO2 health effects?

Airway irritation, respiratory disease, asthma.

NO2 environmental effect?

Acid rain.

Carbon monoxide source?

Fossil fuel combustion.

Carbon monoxide health effect?

Reduces blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity.

SO2 source?

Burning fossil fuels.

SO2 health effects?

Lung damage and asthma

SO2 environmental effect?

Acid rain

Lead sources?

Leaded gasoline, paint, batteries, smelters.

Lead health effects?

Nervous system, immune system, kidney damage/failure.

Lead environmental effects?

Persists in soil/sediment and harms plants/animals.

What is physical water scarcity?

Not enough water naturally available in a region.

How many people face physical water scarcity?

About 1.2 billion people.

What is economic water shortage?

Water exists, but people lack infrastructure to access it.

How many people face economic water shortage?

About 1.6 billion, or 25% of the global population.

How much water does each adult consume per day?

About 2.5 liters/day

How does air pollution affect water quality?

Acid rain carries air pollutants into soil and water.

How does runoff affect water quality?

Fertilizers and pesticides pollute surface water and groundwater.

How does climate change affect disease?

Warmer temperatures expand habitats for disease-carrying insects.

How does global warming affect water systems?

Melts glaciers, raises sea levels, causes saltwater intrusion and extreme weather.

Why are the Three Ps important?

They drive the climate-health connection.