Air Pollution

have concentrations of air pollutants increased or decreased in the last 30 years

decreased significantly

classified by their county, what grade of air pollution do most people in the US live with

F for ozone and daily PM

Air Quality Index (AQI)

reflects national air quality standards of the Clean Air Act

above 100 is unhealthy for sensitive groups; above 150 is unsafe for all

in what areas does air pollution cause the greatest number of deaths

• high industrialization

  • large vulnerable population

health impacts to the lungs

• oxidative stress and inflammation, becomes systemic over time and creates chronic disease

• trigger asthmatic events

• COPD from damage to bronchial tubes or alveoli

• increased risk of respiratory infections

• decreased lung function

• higher prevalence of cardiovascular problems

what are criteria air pollutants

regulated by Clean Air Act and used as markers of air quality

see info on criteria air pollutants

see info on criteria air pollutants

indoor air pollution: source, health impact

source:

• major issue in LMICs because of biomass fuels (cooking, heating)

• mold, cleaning agents, cars

health impact: associated with chronic lung disease

major source in industrialized countries

thermoelectric power plants & vehicles

major source in LMICs

biomass fuels

natural sources

desert dust, volcanoes, wildfires

see wildfire notes + what type of determinant of air quality are wildfires and why

wildfires are a natural determinant of air quality

• impacts health through changes in the natural environment, rather than because of anthropogenic pollution

Endangerment Finding

EPA established under Clean Air Act that ghg emissions harm human health

debate on ghg

problematic for humans and the environment in excess, not just by presence

Clean Air Act regulation, metric

regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources (ambient only)

allows EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

NAAQs

allowable levels of criteria air pollutants nationwide

areas classified as attainment for meeting standards, nonattainment otherwise

primary and secondary standards under NAAQs

primary: protect public health, especially sensitive groups

secondary: protect public welfare — visibility, damage to animals/vegetation, damage to buildings