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Your Name SCI 275 Appendix D Air Pollution Chart |Issue |Sources |Health/Environmental Effects | |Carbon dioxide (CO2) |Burning carbon-containing |The buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases | | |fossil fuels accounts for most |warms the atmosphere by absorbing some of the outgoing infrared| | |human-made Carbon dioxide |(heat) radiation. Some of the heat in the warmed atmosphere is | | |(Berg, 2007). transferred back to Earth’s surface, warming the land and ocean| | |Land conversions, when tracts |(Berg, 2007). This is a positive effect. | | |of tropical rainforest are |However, high levels of carbon dioxide can displace oxygen and | | |logged or burned, emit Carbon |nitrogen, which can potentially cause health problems | | |dioxide. They also accumulate |(Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2011). | |in the atmosphere as a result | | | |of daily human activities, such| | | |as being removed from the body | | | |via the lungs in exhaled air | | | |(Wisconsin Department of Health| | | |Services, 2011).
Decaying | | | |vegetation can also produce | | | |carbon dioxide. | | |Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) |CFC’s are chemicals that are |CFC’s are the primary chemicals that are responsible for ozone | | |released into the atmosphere |loss in the stratosphere. However, other uses of CVC’s are used| | |from old, leaking refrigerators|as foam blowing agents for insulation and packaging, such as | | |and air conditioners (Berg, |Styrofoam (Berg, 2007). | | |2007). Health problems that are known or suspected include increased | | | |risk for skin cancer, suppression of the immune system eye | | | |disorders such as retinal damage and cataracts (University of | | | |Rhode Island, 2006). | |Ground-level ozone (O3) |It is naturally produced and |It enriches our planet 10 to 45 km above the surface (Berg, | | |the essential component in the |2007). The ozone layer shields Earth’s surface from the UV | | |stratosphere. |radiation coming from the sun.
If the ozone disappeared from | | |It is also a human-made |the stratosphere, Earth would become uninhabitable for many | | |pollutant in the troposphere |forms of life (Berg, 2007). This is because the stratosphere | | |(Berg, 2007). |absorbs 99% of the UV radiation, and shields the surface of the| | | |Earth. | | | |Health effects have been observed if inhaling ground-level | | | |ozone.
These effects include decrements in lung function, | | | |inflammation of airways, and introduction to respiratory | | | |problems. The repertory symptoms may include; coughing, chest | | | |tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, pain burning, and/or | | | |discomfort in the chest when taking a deep breath (United | | | |States Environmental Protection Agency, 2011).
They may also | | | |include throat irritation and coughing. | |Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) |The source of sulfuric acid is |Wet acid deposition occurs, which may make the lakes toxic and | | |in the atmosphere when sulfur |the surface runoff. It is very corrosive. Concentrated sulfuric| | |dioxide and nitrogen dioxide |acid can catch fire or even explode if it comes in contact with| | |react with water (Berg, 2007). |some chemicals. When heated it emits highly toxic fumes. | | |The health effects are effects occur on the skin, eyes, and | | | |even GI and repertory tracts. Breathing the mist in can cause | | | |tooth erosion and respiratory tract irritation (University of | | | |Rhode Island, 2006). | Choose one of the following atmospheric issues: air pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, and acid deposition. Then, respond to the following: I chose global warming. ??? What air pollutants combine and contribute to this issue?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and certain other trace gases, including methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),??chlorofluorocarbons??(CFCs), and tropospheric ozone (O3) combine and contribute to this issue (Berg, 2007) ??? Briefly describe the health and environmental problems caused by the selected atmospheric issue. Some of the observed and potential effects of global warming include changes in precipitation patterns, changes in sea level, effects on agriculture, human health, and effects on organisms. “Global warming will also increase problems for agriculture. The rise in sea level will inundate some river deltas, which are fertile agricultural lands (Berg, 2007). “
Certain agricultural pests and disease-causing organisms will probably proliferate and reduce crop yields. The increase in the frequency and duration of droughts is a serious problem for countries with limited water resources. There is data linking climate warming and human health problems. When there are frequent and severe heat waves during summer months it may increase the number of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Climate warming may also affect human health indirectly, such as with the case of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes and other disease carriers could expand their range into the newly warm areas and spread malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever (Berg, 2007). According to the World Health Organization, during 1998, the second warmest year on record, the incidence of malaria, Rift Valley fever, and cholera surged in developing countries (Berg, 2007). ” ??? Provide one key solution to help either reduce the effects or recover from the effects of the selected issue. Carbon dioxide is produced in the greatest quantity and has the largest total effect, so this is one key area we need to focus on to help reduce the effects of global warming. This can be done by not adding, or cutting back, on the additional greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. References Berg, L. R. , & Hager, M. C. (2007). Visualizing environmental science.
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons in collaboration with the National Geographic Society United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2011, July). Ground level Ozone. Retrieved from http://www. epa. gov/glo/health. html University of Rhode Island. (2006, April). Chlorofluorocarbons. Retrieved from http://www. environmentwriter. org/resources/backissues/chemicals/cfc. htm University of Rhode Island. (2006, April). Sulfuric Acid. Retrieved from http://www. environmentwriter. org/resources/backissues/chemicals/sulfuric_acid. htm Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2011, April). Carbon Dioxide. Retrieved from http://www. dhs. wisconsin. gov/eh/chemfs/fs/carbondioxide. htm