Global environmental challenges: Air pollution

Question 1

Give different kinds of air pollution sources

Answer 1

Vehicle emissions (engines, brakes)
Power generation (fossil fuels and biomass)
Industrial processes
Waste incineration
Agricultural (crop residues burning; fertiliser emissions; animal slurry)
Household wood or coal stoves
Wildfires

Question 2

Give the main types of air pollution

Answer 2

Carbon Monoxide
Lead (now much less due to unleaded petrol)
Nitrogen Oxides (NO, NO2 – “NOx”)
Ozone (O3)
Particulates (PM10, PM2.5)
Sulphur dioxide
Volatile Organic Compounds

Question 3

Health risks of poor air quality

Give information about the 1952 London smog and 1991 air pollution

Answer 3

Acute health affects

1952 London smog: 4000 deaths in acute phase up to 12,000 total in following weeks

1991 air pollution episode: 101-178 deaths

Question 4

Describe the UK clean air act of 1956

Answer 4

Direct response to the 1952 great smog

Established smoke free areas;

Restricted burning of coal in houses and industrial furnaces;

Homeowners given grants to switch to “smokeless fuels”, natural gas, oil and electricity;

Improved public health

Question 5

True or false: 91% of the World’s population live in areas which exceed the WHO guidelines.

Answer 5

True