Sources of Air Pollution and Health Effects Flashcards
(20 cards)
Sources of Air Pollution
Veichles, Excavation/construction, industry, home heating and indoor cooking, cigarettes, natural resources, scrub fire/ bush fire.
Why is road transport a major source of air pollution in NZ
NZ has a high reliance on cars (around 4.4m veichles, 0.8 per person. The average age of cars in NZ is 12.6 years ( the older the car the poorer the emissions technology.
Construction dust exposure pathways
Occupational exposure, transportation exposure, public exposure.
Occupational exposure
Clothes, air, veichles, tools, old quarries, mining, earthworks, construction sites
Transportation exposure
Roads, water run off, vehicles, dust, transport routes, road + water movement
Public exposure
New urban developments, erionite disposal sites, landscaping, gardening, recreational activities
What is a major source of air pollution in developing countries and why
Indoor cooking. Closed in areas, usually women and children. Cooking with wood, dung, charcoal. Emits a lot of soot which can deeply penetrate into lungs causing strokes and pneumonia .
Pyramid of effects from air pollution least to worst severity.
Lung function decrements, inflammation, cardiac arrest. Respiratory symptoms, medication use, asthma attacks. Doctor visits, school absences, lost work days. ER visits, hospital admissions, heart attacks. Death.
Short term health effects of air pollution
Exacerbation of asthma, cough, wheezing and shortness of breath,
Long term health effects of air pollution
Accumulation of exposure to air pollution. Stroke, lung cancer, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease. Reduced life expectancy.
Particulate matter
Ranges in size considerably depending on the source.
PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0
Ultrafine is less than 0.1
Black Carbon
Or soot is part of pmz.s and is thought to be one of the pollutants that contributes to the most climate change.it is formed from incomplete combustia of fossil fuels, wood, and other fuels. Often used as a tracer for diesel emissions
Nitrogen oxides
No and NO2 produced when fuel is burnt at a high temperature. Sources include cars, construction equipment, boats, industrial processes. Exposure causes an increase in susceptibility to infections and exacerbates asthma and other respiratory conditions. Results in reduced lung development in children and an increased likely hood of admission to hospital for respiratory causes. Nor is a regulated pollutant.
Carbon monoxide (Co)
Source from petrol vehicles gas cooktops, gas heaters, and smoking. Enters bloodstream via lungs and reduces oxygen delivery to the body’s organs and tissues. Regulated pollutant.
Ozone
Secondary pollutant-pollutants interact with sunlight to make ozone. Can cause breathing problems, trigger asthma, reduce lung function, and cause lung diseases. Regulated pollutant.
Sulfur dioxide
Produced from the burning of fossil fuels (coal and oil) from domestic heating, power generation, and motor vehicles, shipping. Affects the respiratory system and the functions of the lungs and causes eye irritation. Combines with water to form sulphuric acid. Regulated pollutant.
Volatile organic compounds (vocs)
A family of pollutants that consist of a large number of different chemical compounds. Organic compounds that are both naturally occurring and human made. They come from industrial processes but also from a wide range of domestic household products and furnishings. They make up a significant porportion of indoor pollutants.
Heavy metals-arsenic
Treated timbre when burned releases arsenic.
Heavy metals - lead
Lead can accumulate in the body which leads to lead poisoning. Young children are particularly affected through mental and physical development. Found in fuel, lead based paint, contaminated air, water and soil.
Toxic particles that can be inhaled
Black Carbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, Sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals (arsenic, lead), microplastics.
