Table of Contents
Why do we need to measure air pollution over longer time?
This allows us to see where and why pollution occurs, so that we can not only actively avoid overly contaminated areas in our daily routines but also try to implement measures to curb such pollution.
How does concentration relate to pollutants?
The concentration of a specific air pollutant is the amount of material per unit volume of air. Concentrations of pollutant gases may be reported as volume per unit volume (for example, parts per million by volume) and discrete particles as number per unit volume (for example, number of fibers per cubic centimeter).
What are the key factors that determine the air pollutant concentration?
Air movements influence the fate of air pollutants….When studying air quality, it is important to measure the following factors as they can help us understand the chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere:
- wind speed and direction.
- temperature.
- humidity.
- rainfall.
- solar radiation.
What happens to pollutants in the air?
Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil. This can kill crops or reduce their yield. It can kill young trees and other plants. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles in the air, can create acid rain when they mix with water and oxygen in the atmosphere.
What are the health risks of high concentrations of air pollution and what can be done on an individual basis to prevent or reduce problems associated with air pollution?
Key facts. Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risk to health. By reducing air pollution levels, countries can reduce the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.
What caused the pollutants to build up over the city?
The sources of air pollution are intrinsically linked to how we live in cities. While many people see cars and transport as the most obvious causes of air pollution, nearly 70\% of particulate matter is related to the built environment such as heating of buildings, construction and traffic related to it.
What is the difference between emission of pollutants and their concentration in the atmosphere?
In order to quantify the atmospheric “pollution degree” emissions must be distinguished from concentrations of pollutant matters. A concentration is the amount of pollutant matter in atmosphere per volume unit; it is generally expressed in grams per mc-1 and it is used to express values of air quality.
Why do atmospheric pollutants concentrated at higher latitudes?
Air pollution is affected by change in altitude. This is due primarily to the inhalation of carbon monoxide at the reduced oxygen concentrations of high altitudes.
What are pollutants of air?
These six pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter), and sulfur oxides.
What are the health risks of high concentrations of air pollution?
Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause a variety of adverse health outcomes. It increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer. Both short and long term exposure to air pollutants have been associated with health impacts. More severe impacts affect people who are already ill.
Why does air pollution affect our health?
The health effects of air pollution are serious – one third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are due to air pollution. Microscopic pollutants in the air can slip past our body’s defences, penetrating deep into our respiratory and circulatory system, damaging our lungs, heart and brain.