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Sources of Pollutants
Determinants of PM Concentration
Weather patterns
Wind
Stability (vertical movement of air)
Turbulence
Precipitation
Topography
Smokestack height and temperature of gases
Nearby natural and built structures may lead to downward moving currents causing
aerodynamic or building downwash of smokestack emissions.
Particulates Interchangeable terms:
Aerosol,
Particle,
Particulate (matter).
Primary PM
• Emitted directly to the atmosphere
1. Geologic material
2. Organic carbon
3. Elemental carbon (soot)
4. Metals released into air from combustion
Particulates – features
Physical size
Large
Small ~10um
Fine ~2.5um
Aerodynamic diameter (size equivalent of density=1)
Large - local irritation (>100um)
Inhalable (<100um)
Thoracic fraction (<20um)
Coarse PM10 (<10um)
Fine PM2.5 (<2.5um)
Ultrafine (<0.1um)
Chemical reactivity
Shape (fibers)
Water content
When measured often referred to as total suspended particles (TSPs)
Tend to be highest in large cities in developing countries
Recent studies estimate that 2 to 9% of human mortality in cites is associated PM
Linked to both lung cancer and bronchitis
Especially hazardous to elderly and those w/ asthma
Dust can be deposited on plants
Interferes absorption of CO2 and O2 and transpiration
Block sunlight and may cause climate change
Global dimming
Gradual reduction in the solar energy that reaches the surface of Earth
Cools the atmosphere
Lessens global warming
PM10 is made up of particles less than 10μm in diameter
Present everywhere but high concentrations and/or specific types dangerous
Much particulate matter easily visible as smoke, soot, or dust
Includes airborne asbestos and heavy metals
Of particular concern are very fine pollutants
PM 2.5- less than 2.5 μm in diameter
Easily inhaled into the lungs, then absorbed into the bloodstream
Ultrafine particles- <0.18 μm released by automobiles.
Related to heart disease
particles of the size PM 2.5- less than 2.5 μm in diameter have very low gravity-related
sedimentation rates and may therefore remain in the atmosphere for days before being
washed out by rain or attached to vegetation or buildings.
Airborne particles may cause:
Asthma
Lung cancer
Cardiovascular problems
Gas pollutants – CO
Properties
Colourless, Odorless, heavier than air, stronger binder to Hb than O2
Sources
Incomplete combustion
combustion of carbon-based fuels
Traffic (inside the car, parking garages, tunnels is highest)
Inside cars = 3x urban streets, and = 5x residential streets
90% of CO in atmosphere comes from natural sources
10% comes from fires, cars, and incomplete burning of organic compounds
Motor vehicles and industry are among the largest anthropogenic sources of
carbon monoxide emissions.
Health effects
Asphyxiant
Fatigue, confusion, headaches, dizziness, cardiac function (arrhythmias, angina)
Start at 2.5% COHb (0.5% baseline) (air level 50ppm for 90min)
2ppm COHb, no effect
>5ppm COHb, cardiovascular
effects
40ppm COHb, is fatal
Exposures to carbon monoxide may lead to :
Toxicity of the central nervous system and heart
Severe effects on the baby of a pregnant woman
Problems with getting oxygen supplied to some body parts which may be life-
threatening.
Gas pollutants - O3
Good O3 - stratosphere
Bad O3 - troposphere
Properties
Short lived, highly reactive, water soluble
Colorless gas w/ slightly sweet odor
Very active chemically, oxidizes or burns
Beneficial in the upper atmosphere
Ozone can be found in:
stratosphere, one of the upper layers of the atmosphere, where it occurs naturally,
troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where it occurs both naturally
and as a result of human-generated emissions.
Sources
Photochemical reactions
formed in the troposphere as a result of anthropogenic emissions of primary pollutants
A secondary pollutant (reaction of primary pollutants, nitrogen oxides and
hydrocarbons [including VOCs], in the presence of sunlight)
The tropospheric ozone is the main component of the photochemical smog.
A photochemical smog (of brown-yellow color) is a product of the chemical reaction
between sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs, which results in the formation of ozone and
airborne particles.
Effects of Ozone as an Air Pollutant
Irritation of the respiratory system causing coughing, throat irritation and an
uncomfortable sensation in the chest
Susceptibility to respiratory infections
Compromised lung function harming the breathing process which may become more
rapid and more shallow than normal
Inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs
Aggravation of asthma
Reduction in agricultural yields
Interference with photosynthesis and suppression of growth of some plant species
Arcolein
A volatile hydrocarbon that is extremely irritating to nose, eyes, and respiratory system.
Produced from
Manufacturing processes that involve combustion of petroleum fuels
Component of cigarette smoke
Lead
Lead is constituent of auto batteries and used to be added to gasoline.
Lead in gas emitted into air w/ exhaust
Spread widely around world in soils and water along roadways
Once in soil can enter the food chain
Lead now removed from gas in US, CAN, EU
98% reduction in emissions since 1970s
Air Toxics
Among pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health
problems.
Associated w/ long-term and short-term exposures
Gases, metals, and organic chemicals that are emitted in relatively small volumes
Cause respiratory, neurological, reproductive, or immune diseases
Standards have been set for more than 150 air toxics
E.g. hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, chlorine gases, benzene, methanol,
ammonia
EPA estimates that the average risk for cancer from exposure to air toxics is about
1 in 21,000
Hydrogen sulfide
Highly toxic corrosive gas easily identified by its rotten egg odor.
Produced from
Natural sources such as geysers, swamps, and bogs
Human sources such as industrial plants that produce petroleum or that smelt
metals.
Effects of hydrogen sulfide include
Functional damage to plants
Health problems ranging from toxicity to death for humans and other animals.
Hydrogen Fluoride
Extremely toxic gaseous pollutant
Released by some industrial activities
Such as production of aluminum, coal gasification, and burning of coal in power
plants.
Even a small concentration (as low as 1 ppb) of HF may cause problems for plants and
animals.
Potentially dangerous to grazing animals because forage plants can become toxic
when exposed to this gas.
Methyl Isocyanate
An ingredient of a common pesticide
known in the United States as Sevin.
Colorless gas
Causes severe irritation (burns on contact) to eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
Breathing the gas in concentrations of only a few ppm causes violent coughing,
swelling of the lungs, bleeding, and death.
Less exposure can cause a variety of problems, including loss of sight.