ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH:

AIR POLLUTION
GOALS FOR THE DAY

 Lecture
 What Is the Nature of the Atmosphere?
 What Are the Major Air Pollution Problems?
 How Should We Deal with Air Pollution?
 How Might the Earth’s Climate Change in the Future?
 What Are Some Possible Effects of a Warmer Atmosphere?
 What Can We Do to Slow Projected Climate Change?
 How Have We Depleted Ozone in the Stratosphere and What Can We Do about It?
 Break
 Activity
INTRODUCTION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3vfHZI8VoI
HOW MUCH AIR
DO WE NEED
WHAT IS AIR
POLLUTION
 The presence in the
atmosphere of one or
more contaminants in
such quality and for
such duration as is
injurious or tends to
be injurious to human
health or welfare,
animal or plant life.
TYPES OF AIR POLLUTION (SOURCE)
NATURAL AIR POLLUTION

Forest fires emit particulates, gases, and Volatile

organic compounds (substances that vaporize into
the atmosphere)
Ultra-fine dust particles created by soil erosion
when water and weather loosen layers of soil,
increase airborne particulate levels.
Volcanoes spew out sulfur dioxide and large
amounts of pulverized lava rock known as volcanic
ash.
Dust storms in desert areas and smoke from forest
fires and grass fires contribute to chemical and
particulate pollution of the air
 HUMAN, OR ANTHROPOGENIC

Air pollution can be categorized as:

 1. Mobile sources-include most forms of
transportation
 Examples: automobiles, trucks,
airplanes
 2. Stationary sources
 Point source-storage tank
 Area source- a series of small sources
that together can affect air quality in a
region
 Example: community
TYPES OF AIR POLLUTION (LOCATION)

Types of Air Pollution

(location)

1. Indoor air pollution 2. Outdoor air pollution

cigarette smoke, vapors

from certain volcanoes, fire,
construction materials, automobile exhaust
cleaning products,
 INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

 700,000 of the 2.7 million deaths annually

from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)
 About 15% of deaths due to lung cancer
 There is some evidence that indoor air pollution is
also associated with asthma, cataracts and TB.
 Tentative evidence to low birthweight,
ischemic heart disease
 59% of deaths attributable to indoor air pollution
are among females
 56% of all deaths attributable to indoor air
pollution are among children < 5 y/o
 URBAN (OUTDOOR) AIR POLLUTION

 1.5% of annual deaths and

0.5% of total burden of
disease to outdoor air
 Particulate matter causes
about:
 o 5% of the global cases of lung
cancer
 o 2% deaths from cardiovascular
and respiratory conditions
 o 1% respiratory infections
 TYPES OF POLLUTANTS

Types of pollutants

1. Primary 2. Secondary

- harmful substances - harmful substances

which are emitted which form as a result
directly into the of chemical reactions
atmosphere. in the atmosphere
AIR POLLUTANTS AND THEIR HEALTH
IMPACT
 A. CARBON MONOXIDE
 CARBON DIOXIDE
 C. HYDROCARBONS
 D. CHLOROFLOROCARBONS (CFC)
 LEAD
 NO2
 HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
Short Term effects of air pollution
Total Exposure is influenced by the duration
of exposure and the concentration of the
chemicals.
• include irritation to the eyes, nose and
throat upper respiratory infections
• such as bronchitis and pneumonia
• Other symptoms can include
headaches, nausea, and allergic
reactions.
• It can aggravate the medical
conditions of individuals with asthma
and emphysema.
Chronic Health effects of air pollution
Serious respiratory problems, some
irreversible.
– Chronic bronchitis: Mucus
accumulation, coughing.
– Emphysema: Normal tissue of lungs is
replaced by scar tissue that does not
allow the person to fill lungs with fresh
air.
– Lung cancer
EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION TO LUNGS
 EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE
ENVIRONMENT
The GREENHOUSE EFFECT
 prevents the sun's heat from rising out of
the atmosphere and flowing back into
space.
 - Gases in the atmosphere such as carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrogen act like the
glass of the greenhouse: they let in the
sun’s light and warmth, but they keep the
Earth’s heat from escaping.
 - Other gases contributing to the problem
include cholrofluorocarbons (CFCs),
methane, nitrous oxides, and ozone.
ACID RAIN

 forms when moisture in the air

interacts with nitrogen oxide
and sulfur dioxide released by
factories, power plants, and
motor vehicles that burn coal or
oil.
 - This interaction of gases with
water vapor forms sulfuric acid and
nitric acids.
 EFFECTS ON PLANTS OF AIR POLLUTION

 Particulates on leaves
can form encrustations
and plug the stomata
and reduce the
availability of sunlight,
which results in death
of the plant.
 DAMAGE TO THE OZONE LAYER

 is primarily caused by the use of

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Ozone is a form
of oxygen found in the earth's upper
atmosphere.
 The thin layer of ozone molecules in the
atmosphere absorb some of the sun's
ultraviolet (UV) rays before it reaches the
earth's surface, making life on earth possible.
 he depletion of ozone is causing higher levels
of UV radiation on earth, endangering both
plants and animals
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE AIR
POLLUTION
 Encourage your family to walk to the neighborhood market.

  Whenever possible take your bicycle.

  As far as possible use public forms of transport.

  Don't let your father drop you to school, take the school bus.

  Encourage your family to form a car pool to office and back.

  Reduce the use of aerosols in the household.

  Look after the trees in your neighborhood.

  Begin a tree-watch group to ensure that they are well tended and cared for.

  Switch-off all the lights and fans when not required.

  If possible share your room with others when the air conditioner, cooler or fan is on.

  Do not burn leaves in your garden, put them in a compost pit.

  Make sure that the pollution check for your family car is done at regular intervals.

  Cars should, as far as possible, be fitted with catalytic converters.

  Use only unleaded petrol.

LET US WATCH SOME YOUTUBE CLIP

https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=ll7fYJTKxhw

https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=7tYG3MepUu0
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=s4OcGrPQqJ0
 ACTIVITY FOR THE DAY

Instructions:
Start with a strong opening shot that highlights the
issue of air pollution.
Introduce the Clean Air Pledge and explain its
importance.
Discuss the impact of air pollution on health and the
environment.
Suggest at least three ways individuals can reduce air
pollution, such as carpooling, using public
transportation, and reducing energy consumption.
Use engaging visuals and creative editing to enhance
the viewing experience.
Keep the video within the allotted time of one minute.
Conclude with a call to action, encouraging viewers to
take action and make a difference in reducing air
pollution.