Untitled Flashcards Set
Which of the following is not among the six criteria pollutants addressed in the Clean Air Act?
mercury
1970 clean air act- designated new air quality standards to be applied equally across the country for 6 major pollutants
They are referred to as conventional or criteria pollutants ; sulfur dioz=xide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone (and its precursor volatile organic compounds), lead, and particulate matter
Transportation and power plants are dominant sources of more criteria pollutants
Unconventional pollutants- compounds that are produced in less volume than conventional pollutants, but that are especially toxic or hazardous
Among these asbestos, benzene, beryllium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and vinyl chloride
Point source- smokestack or some other concentrated pollution origin
Primary pollutants- released in a harmful form
Secondary pollutants- become hazardous after reactions in the air
fugitive/ nonpoint source- emissions are those that do not go through smokestack
Fugitive emissions are leaks and other irregular releases of gases or vapors from a pressurized containment
Sulfur dioxide- colorless and corrosive gas that damages plants and animals. Once in the atmosphere it can react with water vapor from sulfuric acid. Primary cause of acid precipitation
Carbon monoxide- colorless, odorless but highly toxic gas produced mainly by incomplete combustion of fuel (coal, oil, charcoal, wood, gas). CO inhibits respiration in animals by binding irreversibly to hemoglobin in blood
Ozone (SECONDARY POLLUTANT)- ground level ozone is a highly reactive oxidizing agent that damages eyes, lungs, and plant tissues, as well as paint, rubber, and plastics. It is a secondary pollutant, created by chemical reactions that are initiated by solar energy
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to the formation of ozone and other photochemical oxidants
Lead- most abundantly produced metal air pollutant, impairs nerve and brain functions.
Particulate material- includes dust, ash, soot, lint, soke, pollen, spores, algal cells, and many other suspended materials like aerosols
Toxic release inventory- congress established it to help inform communities about toxic substances produced and handled in their areas
Some 70% of airborne mercury is released by coal burning power plants
1/28- Air pollution and the climate
Physical processes in the atmosphere transport, concentrate and disperse air pollutants
Five other greenhouse gasses are- methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride
These gases are far more potent greenhouse gasses per molecule than co2
Ozone hole- chemical reactions of atmospheric gases and pollution produce the phenomenon
Chlorine based aerosols such as cfc’s and hcfc’s are the principal agents of ozone depletion
In 1987 an international meeting in montreal canada produced the montreal protocol the first of several major international agreements on phasing out most uses of cfcs by 2000
1/30- air pollution control
Particulate removal involves filtering air emissions. Filters trap particulates in a mesh or electrostatic precipitators are used.
Sulfur removal is important because sulfur oxides are among the most damaging of all air pollutants in terms of human health
nitrogen oxides (NOx) can be reduced in both internal combustion engines and industrial boilers
Electrostatic precipitator can remove 99% of unburned particulates
Clean air act of 1963 was the first national legislation in the united states aimed at air pollution control
In 1970, an extensive set of amendments especially rewrote the clean air act
The 1990 amendments included major changes in incentives as well as rules for additional pollutants
Cap and trade has worked well for sulfur dioxide
80% of United States now meets the national ambient air quality standards
By the 80th year of independence, 80 indian cities will have 80% reduced air pollution
In lab acidic then alkaline then ph went down to create alkaline . sulfur went down. Calcium sulfite caso3 was the process
Limestone are particularly acid precipitation
Troposphere closest to ground
6 criteria pollutants- carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide , particulates, ozone, nitrogen oxides
According to the World Health Organization the city with the highest levels of air pollution in the world is
DelhiThe primary source of carbon monoxide and particulates is __ (One word. Spelling Counts).
Kitchens
The primary sources of sulfur dioxide are _____ _____ __ (Two words. Spelling counts.)
power plants__ pollutants become harmful after they react with other gases in the air. (One word. Spelling counts.)
secondary
Below 2.5 micrometers they can deposit inside lung tissue and some types, such as asbestos, are known carcinogens.
Particulate Matter
can form a reddish-brown gas that gives photochemical smog its distinctive color.
Nitrogen oxides
Formerly a component of gasoline in the United States. Can cause severe neurological damage.
Lead
about 90% undergoes secondary reactions that produce ozone.
CO
is a highly reactive oxidizing agent at ground level
O3 (ozone)
can be oxidized to form sulfur trioxide and form sulfuric acid.
SO2 (sulfur dioxide)
Destruction of ozone molecules in the stratosphere is concerning because
ozone absorbs some of the stronger forms of ultraviolet radiation
The 1987 Montreal Protocol agreement to phase out CFCs was largely ineffective.
False
Particulates such as soot ("black carbon") are hazardous to human health but do not stay in the atmosphere long enough to contribute to global warming.
False
Which of the following is not a condition associated with chronic exposure to air pollution?
all of these conditions are associated
Effects of acid rain, snow, and fog include all of the following except
increased likelihood of temperature inversions
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions from power plants have increased in the United States in the past quarter century.
False
A temperature inversion occurs when warm air rests near the ground with cold air layers above.
False
The effects of temperature inversions include
trapping of air pollutants near the ground.
In India and China factors contributing to poor air quality include
all of these are contributing factors
An electrostatic precipitator helps remove sulfur oxides from coal combustion gas emissions
False
The overall economic benefits of the Clean Air Act exceeds the costs of regulation, enforcement, and compliance.
True
Amendments made to the Clean Air Act in 1990 include all of the following except
a requirement for the installation of solar panels on all federal government buildings
Primary
Immediately toxic
Secondary
via chemical process becomes hazardous
Film study
Powerplant nearby sulfur dioxide being released from burning coal
Created acid fog
People breathing in sulfuric acid