climate: air quality
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Air QualityAir Quality
An overview of urban pollution
An overview of urban pollution
Why is air quality an issue
Why is air quality an issue
Over 1.6 billion people affected each year - 50% of total global urban popn
UK - one child in 7 has asthma
LEDC’s - 700m at risk from indoor air pollution (cooking and heating)
Air quality is closely linked to levels of development - graph page 28 in module
Over 1.6 billion people affected each year - 50% of total global urban popn
UK - one child in 7 has asthma
LEDC’s - 700m at risk from indoor air pollution (cooking and heating)
Air quality is closely linked to levels of development - graph page 28 in module
LEDC’sLEDC’s Cities - very densely populated (Cairo - 24 000 per km2, Calcutta - 88 000)
Cars/vehicles - fewer env controls in LEDC’s, rapidly expanding rate of car ownership
Cars are lower quality and less efficient, roads are in poorer conditions which damages the cars and decreases efficiency
Lack of service - more pollution BUT - car industries are an important factor in development (esp.. China and India)
Cities - very densely populated (Cairo - 24 000 per km2, Calcutta - 88 000)
Cars/vehicles - fewer env controls in LEDC’s, rapidly expanding rate of car ownership
Cars are lower quality and less efficient, roads are in poorer conditions which damages the cars and decreases efficiency
Lack of service - more pollution BUT - car industries are an important factor in development (esp.. China and India)
Air quality and health
Air quality and health
Asthma - death rate has increased from 40% to 60% in recent decades - June 1994 - significant outbreak associated with high pressure systems which favour high levels of ozone
USA - costs estimated at $16bill for healthcare and $24 bill in absenteeism and lost productivity
Asthma - death rate has increased from 40% to 60% in recent decades - June 1994 - significant outbreak associated with high pressure systems which favour high levels of ozone
USA - costs estimated at $16bill for healthcare and $24 bill in absenteeism and lost productivity
Who is at riskWho is at risk
Young and elderly, asthmatics, people with lung diseases, pregnant women
This list accounts for 20% of the developed worlds population and higher in LEDC’s
Young and elderly, asthmatics, people with lung diseases, pregnant women
This list accounts for 20% of the developed worlds population and higher in LEDC’s
Legislation UKLegislation UK
1956 and 1968 - clean air acts
Controls on emissions of smoke, grit and dust, certain industrial sources, controls on chimney heights and designated smoke control areas
1956 and 1968 - clean air acts
Controls on emissions of smoke, grit and dust, certain industrial sources, controls on chimney heights and designated smoke control areas
Legislation - WHOLegislation - WHO
World Health organization 1987 Published guidelines on concentrations of various pollutants
Levels are set below the minimum at which adverse effects have been observed
World Health organization 1987 Published guidelines on concentrations of various pollutants
Levels are set below the minimum at which adverse effects have been observed
Main Pollutants
Main Pollutants
Using the module, Waugh and the textbook, draw up a table to summaries
This should take 15 minutes
Using the module, Waugh and the textbook, draw up a table to summaries
This should take 15 minutes
Sulphur Dioxide and smoke
Source
Physical conditions which make it worse
Impacts on human activity
Respirable particulates
Carbon Monoxide
Nitrogen Oxide
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)
Lead
Air pollution categories
Air pollution categories
Air pollution episodes classified into three categories
Summer smog - ozone (o3), Respirable particulates and nitrogen dioxide
Vehicle smog - nitrogen dioxide and Respirable particulates
Winter smog - high levels of SO2 during high pressure systems
Air pollution episodes classified into three categories
Summer smog - ozone (o3), Respirable particulates and nitrogen dioxide
Vehicle smog - nitrogen dioxide and Respirable particulates
Winter smog - high levels of SO2 during high pressure systems
Impact of climateImpact of climate
Winter smog's - associated with cold, high pressure, temperature inversions and higher rates of Sulphur Dioxide emissions associated with increased heating and energy use
Urban areas at risk if surrounded by high ground - cold air surrounding sinks down and traps pollutants
Persists throughout the high pressure system
Winter smog's - associated with cold, high pressure, temperature inversions and higher rates of Sulphur Dioxide emissions associated with increased heating and energy use
Urban areas at risk if surrounded by high ground - cold air surrounding sinks down and traps pollutants
Persists throughout the high pressure system
Summer smog AKA Photochemical smog Calm sunny days when photochemical activity leads to ground level ozone formation
OZONE is formed when reactions take place between nitrogen oxides and VOC’s in sunlight
Causes stinging eyes, coughing, headaches, chest pains, nausea, severe breathing problems in asthmatics
Summer smog AKA Photochemical smog Calm sunny days when photochemical activity leads to ground level ozone formation
OZONE is formed when reactions take place between nitrogen oxides and VOC’s in sunlight
Causes stinging eyes, coughing, headaches, chest pains, nausea, severe breathing problems in asthmatics
City Centers and Ozone
City Centers and Ozone
In city centers - more likely to find nitrogen dioxide as main pollutant through vehicle emissions, vehicles emit nitric oxide as well as nitrogen dioxide.
Nitrogen oxide converts into nitric oxide by reactions with oxygen and ozone - can reduce the ozone content in cities
In city centers - more likely to find nitrogen dioxide as main pollutant through vehicle emissions, vehicles emit nitric oxide as well as nitrogen dioxide.
Nitrogen oxide converts into nitric oxide by reactions with oxygen and ozone - can reduce the ozone content in cities
HomeworkHomework
For both London and Mexico city
Make a detailed list of the causes, effects and the solutions
For the solutions - evaluate the proposed solutions for both cities - which will be more effective?
For both London and Mexico city
Make a detailed list of the causes, effects and the solutions
For the solutions - evaluate the proposed solutions for both cities - which will be more effective?
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