Clean Air: Is It Safe to Breathe?

Question 1

Air pollution events

Answer 1

Weather inversion in London, 1952 - more than 4,000 deaths
Donora, Pennsylvania in 1948 - similar weather inversion
Smog in Los Angeles in 1950s and 1960s
Clean Air Act of 1970

Question 2

Clean Air Act of 1970

Answer 2

Set air quality standards, limited some major pollutants, and mandated emission reduction of autos and factories

Question 3

What are the criteria air pollutants?

Answer 3

Particulate matter
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Ozone
Lead

Question 4

What is particulate matter?

Answer 4

• The most visible air pollution form

* Six cities study found that death rates were higher in the most polluted cities.

Question 5

when did EPA set standards for PM10

Answer 5

1987

Question 6

In 1997, 2006, and 2012 the EPA set more stringent standards for

Answer 6

PM2.5`

Question 7

Sulfur dioxide

Answer 7

•Combustion of sulfur-containing fuel

-especially coal

Question 8

Sulfur Dioxide causes

Answer 8

Irritation of respiratory tracts
Acid rain
Potential for causing respiratory damage

Question 9

Carbon monoxide

especially harmful to?
causes what?

Answer 9

Highly toxic gas
Especially harmful to patients with cardiovascular disease
It causes headaches and impairs metal processes

Question 10

responsible for yellowish-brown appearance of smog

Answer 10

Nitrogen Oxides

Question 11

What does nitrogen oxides contribute to?

Answer 11

Respiratory tract irritation
Acid rain
Ozone formation

Question 12

Ozone:

Answer 12

• Is a highly reactive variant of oxygen

* Is produced by sunlight acting on other air pollutants

Question 13

Effects of Ozone

Answer 13

Irritates eyes and respiratory system

•Increases mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases

Question 14

Lead:
damages what?
poses special risks to?
when was lead gasoline banned

Answer 14

Damages nervous system, blood, and kidneys
•Poses special risk to the development of children’s intellectual abilities
1980s

Question 15

Other Air Pollutants:

Answer 15

asbestos, mercury, beryllium, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, radionuclides, and coke oven emissions

Question 16

Strategies for Motor Vehicles:

Answer 16

• Tailpipe emissions limits
• Vapor recovery systems on gasoline pumps
• Inspection and maintenance requirements
• Requirements that auto makers develop zero emission vehicles
• Public transportation development
• Encouraging carpooling

Question 17

Strategies for Industrial Sources

Answer 17

•Scrubbers on smokestacks
•Less polluting fuels (limits on high-sulfur coal)
•Market approach: buy and sell pollution allowances
•New Source Review provision-Industry has flouted the rules
-Lawsuits have been pressed by states
-Bush Administration replaced this provision with the weaker Clear Skies Initiative
•Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act

Question 18

Good News about air pollution:

Answer 18

• Air pollution has decreased 54% since 1970

* California, with the worst pollution, has instituted many special regulations and incentives with some success.

Question 19

Indoor Air Quality:

people tend to develop what syndrome? what is it?

what are sources of indoor air pollurion

Answer 19

-“Sick building syndrome”
- it is when people lose their sickness when they are already outside
•Sources of indoor air pollution are:
-Tobacco smoke
-Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces
-Gas ranges and furnaces
-Radon

Question 20

Indoor Air Quality: Radon

is the danger clear?
where does it come from?

Answer 20

• Danger is unclear

* It seeps up from soil and rock

Question 21

Indoor Air Quality: 1)Formaldehyde & 2)Consumer products

Answer 21

1)•Insulation, particleboard, plywood, some floor coverings, and textiles
•Regulated by Dept. of Housing and Urban Developme

2)•Pesticides, dry-cleaning solvents, paints and paint thinners, hair spray, and air fresheners
•Use with caution.

Question 22

Indoor Air Quality: 1)Microbes & 2)Allergens

Answer 22

1)•Legionella
•Hantavirus

2)•Mold, house mites, and animal dander

Question 23

Global Effects of Air Pollution

how does it affect the environment?

Answer 23

• Acid rain damages forests and crops, turns lakes and rivers acidic, and kills fish and plants
• Depletion of the ozone layer - due to CFCs but production is banned by Montreal Protocol in 1987

greenhouse effect and global warming
- carbon dioxide

Question 24

OTHERU INITIATIVES IN URBAN ARES

in LA

in California

Answer 24

LA

• to not use charcoal lighter fluid
• use of electric mowers

California

• rather than in ports, deliveries should be done inland
• using newer, cleaner models of diesel trucks

Question 25

what is the Obama 2009 program, “Cash for Clunkers”?

Answer 25

turn in old vehicles for
new, more fuel-efficient ones, proved popular and helped to reduce pollution in areas with high
emissions from motor vehicles

Question 26

What must plants report to EPCRA?

what were their arguments against it?

Answer 26

report what they use
- report the amount they release

• oppositions:
  
  • • terrorism

Question 27

Rank the decrease rate of air pollution contribution of criteria for air pollution.

Answer 27

Lead - 89
SO2 - 83
CO - 82
NO - 52
Ozone - 28
PM - 26