Urban air pollutionWhat can you remember?

1. List the major sources of urban air pollution.2. What is a secondary pollutant?3. Why is photochemical smog greater in the

afternoons than the mornings?4. Outline the effects on humans and other

species.

Learning outcomes

All of you should be able to:• Identify the problems of urban air pollution

affecting Mexico City• Describe pollution management strategies for

urban air pollution

Most of you might be able to:• Evaluate the management strategies

Formation of particulates

Burning organic materials or fossil fuels release small particles of carbon or other substances.

We call them: • particulates• particulate matter

(PM10) (PM2.5)

These particulates are not filtered by our nose and lungs so can cause problems in our respiratory system.

Case Study – Mexico City

Article:1. What are the consequences of

air pollution in Mexico City?2. What are the key air pollutants

in Mexico City?3. What are the two most

serious?4. Describe what you can see in

the graph.5. What are the main

programmes to combat air pollution?

Let’s take a look at the governments’ recommendations…

Pollution Management

You have been put in charge of managing a city’s urban air pollution.

– In groups come up with some pollution management strategies for urban air pollution.

– Evaluate the different methods in order to explain to your shareholders the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

– Be ready to present them to the class.

Let’s set up an experiment to see the effect of tropospheric ozone…

Checking outcomes

• Where does tropospheric ozone come from?• What are the effects that it can have?• How is photochemical smog formed? Why is it

greater in the afternoon than the morning?

Pollution management strategies…