1
What is air pollution, and what is its global impact? What are the main types and sources of outdoor air pollution?
INFOGRAPHICS 20.1 AND 20.2
The WHO estimates that about ___________ people die each year due to air pollution.
5 million
True or False: Ozone is useful in the stratosphere but is a dangerous pollutant when located in the troposphere.
TRUE
Air pollution that results when chemicals in the atmosphere react to form a new pollutant is called:
primary pollution.
secondary pollution.
point source pollution.
particulate pollution.
B
2
What are the health, economic, social, and ecological consequences of air pollution?
INFOGRAPHIC 20.3 AND TABLE 20.1
Given the relationship between asthma and air pollution, where would you raise a family to decrease the risk of asthma?
In an area with low VOCs but moderate to high particulates
In an urban area
Away from major highway systems
In a valley where most people use wood to heat their homes
C
The placement of polluting industries close to minority or low-income areas is an example of a violation of:
environmental justice.
federal law.
EPA clean air standards.
transboundary pollution.
A
Describe the types of problems that air pollution causes in ecosystems and human health.
On an ecosystem level, air pollution can damage plants, leading to a reduction in photosynthesis; acids damage plants and aquatic life directly and affect plants indirectly by interfering with nutrient uptake; toxins can damage plants and animals, and increased CO2 levels contribute to climate change. In terms of human health, air pollution is a major cause of respiratory illness but can also negatively affect many other body systems, including the cardiovascular and immune systems as well as contributing to cancer and birth defects.
3
What are the causes and consequences of acid deposition, and how is it an example of transboundary pollution?
INFOGRAPHIC 20.4
True or False: Acid deposition has decreased across much of the eastern United States, and ecosystems are showing strong signs of recovery.
FALSE
High-elevation trees are often more affected by acid deposition than trees lower on a mountain because the high-elevation trees:
have more shallow root systems that are easily harmed by acids.
grow in areas where acids bind aluminum in the soil so that the trees can’t access it.
live in colder areas and are more easily stressed than other trees.
are often shrouded in acidic fog, which means they are exposed to acids longer than trees that only receive acid in rain or snow.
D
Why are industrial pollutants found in even the most remote places on Earth?
Prevailing winds, water currents, and even migrating animals can transport pollutants far from their source, including to remote areas far from sites that actually produce this pollution.
4
What are the main sources of indoor air pollution, and what can be done to reduce these pollutants?
INFOGRAPHIC 20.5
True or False: In most areas of developing countries, indoor pollution is more of a problem than outdoor pollution.
TRUE
Which of these actions would best address the main cause of indoor pollution in developing countries?
Using more wood and less charcoal in cooking fires
Using emission control devices on vehicles to reduce air pollution on nearby roads
Distributing solar ovens
Making homes more airtight to keep out pollution from outside
C
Using the information presented in Infographic 20.5, explain why indoor air pollution is a cause of growing concern, especially with regard to health problems.
Indoor air pollution represents the main source of exposure for many people in developed nations because they spend so much time indoors and because there are many sources of air pollution in the home and workplace. These sources of indoor pollution include furniture that releases chemicals such as formaldehyde, mold and dust, particulates from fire places, pollen, and tobacco smoke. Many of these sources are a concern because people are unaware of their presence: for example VOC’s in drying paint. Encouraging people to use good ventilation practices, better building and furniture materials, and fabrics could significantly reduce indoor air pollution in these areas.
5
How can air pollution be reduced, and what are the trade-offs of reducing it?
INFOGRAPHIC 20.6
Which of the following is considered a penalty for not reducing pollution rather than an incentive or a reward for acting in a way that reduces pollution?
Tax credit
Green tax
Subsidy
All of the above
B
Describe the policy of cap-and-trade. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this policy option?
Under cap and trade policy, the government issues pollution permits to each factory to meet an overall pollution target. Any permits that factories don’t use (because they reduced emissions more than required) can be sold to the other facilities that did not met their allotment. The cost to the facilities who buy the permits is less than retrofitting and installing new equipment, and overall pollution is still reduced because an overall cap was set that was below former pollution levels for the area. However, even if the overall pollution levels are reduced, the amount of pollution may vary by area — if factories in one area choose to buy extra permits, this can concentrate pollution in those areas.
401