Environmental Pollution: Types, Effects, and Global Policies

What are the health effects of water pollution?

Over 5 million deaths and illnesses yearly linked to unsafe water and poor hygiene.

How does water pollution affect productivity?

Less water available for crops, grazing, and forestry, leading to increased costs for households and municipalities.

What health issues are caused by air pollution?

Causes both acute and chronic illness; fine particulate matter linked to ~2 million premature deaths annually.

What are the productivity effects of air pollution?

Acid rain and ozone damage forests, crops, and water supplies.

What health effects arise from solid and hazardous waste?

Disease spread by rotting garbage and unsafe waste disposal.

How does solid waste impact productivity?

Causes groundwater contamination, blocked drainage, reduced land value, and unusable water.

What health effects are associated with soil degradation?

Reduced nutrition from poor crops on degraded soils; higher vulnerability to drought.

What is the global extent of agricultural land degradation?

Around 25% of agricultural land is degraded worldwide, lowering food production.

What health effects result from deforestation?

Flooding leads to death and disease.

What are the productivity effects of deforestation?

Reduced forest products, lost biodiversity, and reduced carbon storage.

What are the health effects of biodiversity loss?

Potential loss of new medicines and drugs derived from species.

How does loss of biodiversity affect productivity?

Decreases ecosystem adaptability and essential services like pollination.

What health risks are associated with atmospheric changes?

Higher disease risks, including malaria and skin cancers from UV exposure.

What are the productivity effects of climate change?

Shifts in agriculture, reduced fisheries, and climate instability.

What are the benefits of pollution reduction for human health?

Fewer pollution-related illnesses and premature deaths; less worker stress leads to higher productivity.

How does pollution reduction improve agriculture and forestry?

Reduces pollution damage to crops and forests, leading to higher farm productivity and profits.

What benefits does pollution reduction provide for fishing and food supply?

Increases harvests of fish and shellfish, boosting businesses connected to fishing.

How does pollution reduction enhance recreational opportunities?

Cleaner waters support swimming, boating, and outdoor activities, attracting tourism.

What industrial benefits arise from pollution reduction?

Lowers corrosive damage to materials, extends the lifetime of infrastructure, and decreases maintenance costs.

How does pollution reduction affect real estate values?

Cleaner environments increase property values, benefiting communities socially and economically.

What are the major gases in the atmosphere?

N₂ (78%), O₂ (21%), Ar (0.93%), CO₂ (0.04%), and water vapor (0-4%).

What distinguishes primary pollutants from secondary pollutants?

Primary pollutants are released directly (e.g., CO, SO₂), while secondary pollutants are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere (e.g., ozone).

What are the two types of smog?

Industrial smog (gray) from burning coal and photochemical smog (brown) from cars.

What is a temperature inversion?

A condition where warm air traps cool air below, worsening pollution and smog.

How is ozone formed in the atmosphere?

Through a reaction involving NO₂, sunlight, and oxygen, leading to ozone (O₃) formation.

What is acid deposition?

Rain, snow, or fog with pH < 5.5, caused by pollutants like SO₂ and NOx.

What are the health effects of air pollution?

Short-term effects include eye/throat irritation and headaches; long-term effects include asthma, heart disease, and cancer risk.

What are some long-term health effects of air pollution?

Asthma, emphysema, heart disease, and increased cancer risk.

How have pollution trends changed in the U.S. and Canada?

Pollution is decreasing due to regulations.

What is the trend in pollution for China and India?

Pollution is increasing due to rapid industrial growth.

What causes photochemical smog?

Sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cars and industry.

Why is photochemical smog worse in sunny cities like Los Angeles?

There is ample sunlight to drive reactions, heavy traffic produces NOx and VOCs, and pollution gets trapped by mountains.

What type of smog is associated with industrial cities like London?

Industrial smog, which forms in cool, damp, foggy weather from coal burning.

What was the impact of the Donora smog event in 1948?

It caused illnesses and 20 immediate deaths due to trapped pollution.

What was the Great Smog of London in 1952?

An event caused by coal burning and fog that killed about 4,000 people in a few days.

What are the effects of acid rain on aquatic systems?

It lowers pH in lakes/rivers, leading to fish deaths and biodiversity loss.

What are primary pollutants?

Pollutants that are directly emitted into the air, such as NOx and VOCs.

What are secondary pollutants?

Pollutants that form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions, like ozone.

What is the role of the ozone layer?

It absorbs most harmful UV-B radiation, protecting life on Earth.

What substances are responsible for ozone depletion?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogenated gases.

What is the ozone hole?

A region of depleted ozone observed over Antarctica, intensified by polar stratospheric clouds.

What international treaty addresses ozone depletion?

The Montreal Protocol, which phases out CFCs and ozone-depleting chemicals.

What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?

A scale that reports air cleanliness and associated health effects, developed by the EPA.

What does an AQI value of 0-50 indicate?

Good air quality with no health risks.

What health concerns are associated with an AQI value of 151-200?

Unhealthy air quality where everyone may feel effects.

What pollutants are measured in the AQI?

Ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

What are the environmental impacts of air pollution on crops?

Ozone damages leaves and reduces crop yields, making plants more vulnerable to drought and pests.

How does acid rain affect forests?

It leaches calcium and magnesium, releases toxic aluminum, and weakens trees.

What is the significance of the Clean Air Act?

It established the EPA and set national air-quality standards, leading to significant reductions in pollutants.

What are the projected outcomes of the Montreal Protocol?

CFC production has dropped over 95%, and the ozone layer is expected to recover by the mid-21st century.

What are the health impacts of air pollution according to WHO?

Approximately 4.3 million deaths per year are attributed to air pollution.

What is a significant historical example of air pollution's impact?

The Adirondacks experienced fishless lakes and forest decline due to acid rain, leading to the Clean Air Act Amendments.