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Atmospheric Exposure: Dr. Mohammed Abdus Salam
Atmospheric Exposure: Dr. Mohammed Abdus Salam
Atmospheric Exposure: Dr. Mohammed Abdus Salam
Atmospheric Composition
Conventional Pollutants
U. S Clean Air Act designated seven major (Conventional or criteria) pollutants for which maximum ambient air levels area mandated Carbon Oxide Sulfur oxide Nitrogen oxide Particulate Matter Metals and Halogen Volatile Organic Compounds
In urban areas, motor vehicles are the single largest contributors of ground level ozone, a major component of smog.
Corbon Oxides
Predominant form of carbon in the air is carbon dioxide. - Increasing levels due to human activities - Annual emission: 7-8 billion metric tons Carbon monooxide is a colorless, orderless, toxic gas produced by imcomplete fuel combustion. - Annual Emission: 1 billion metric tons
Nitrogen Compounds
Nitrogen oxides are reactive gases formed when nitrogen is heated above 650 degree centrigates in the presence of oxygen, or when nitrogen compounds are oxidized. Annual Emission: 230 million metric tons
NOx
Mono nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 react with ammonia, moisture and other compounds to form nitric acid vapor and related particles. This small particles can penetrate deeply into sensitive lung tissue and damage it, cause premature death in extreme cases. Inhalation of this small particles may cause or worsen respiratory diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis and also may aggravate existing heart disease.
Sulfur Compounds
Natural sources of sulfur in the atmosphere include evaporation from sea spray, volcanic fumes, and organic compounds. Predominant form of anthropogenic sulfur is sulfur dioxide from fossil fuel combustion. Annual Emission: 114 million metric tons
Sulfur Dioxide
Sources: Combustion of fuel containing sulfur -- mostly coal and oil. Also produced during metal smelting and other industrial processes.
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Threshold for respiratory response in healthy individuals upon exercise or deep breathing
3-5
Gas is easily noticeable. Fall in lung function at rest and increased airway resistance
Immediate irritation of eyes, nose and throat Worsening irritation of eyes, nose and throat Threshold of toxicity for prolonged exposure Paralysis or death occurs after extended exposure Maximum concentration that can be withstood for a few minutes by healthy individuals
Particulate matter
Atmospheric aerosols solid or liquid Respirable particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers are among most dangerous. Anthropogenic particulate emissions amount to about 362 million metric tons annually.
Because of tiny size, they can easily penetrate the deepest part of the lungs. About 1% of all PM10 and 2% of all PM2.5 emissions came from the exhaust of on-road motor vehicles.
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POP
Aldrin Chlordane
Use
Crop insecticide (corn, cotton) Crop insecticide (vegetables, citrus, cotton, potatoes) Crop insecticide (cotton)
Structure
Heptachlor
Fungicide for seed treatment Insecticide (termites, fire ants) Insecticide (livestock, crops) Industrial chemical (paint and plastic additive) Unintentionally produced during combustion Unintentionally produced during combustion
Dioxins
Furans
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DDT
Chemical stability: DDT degrades to DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene)
DDE is less toxic than DDT but more resilient in the environment
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DDT
DDT has a broad spectrum of activity. It was banned in several countries in the 1970s because of ecological considerations Still used extensively to reduce insect-transmitted diseases:
yellow fever, sleeping sickness, typhus, malaria and others
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