Air Section #2: Air, Noise, & Light Pollution. Air Pollution can cause serious health problems to the very old, the very young, & those with heart or.

Air

Section #2:Air, Noise, & Light Pollution

Air Pollution

• can cause serious health problems to the very old, the very young, & those with heart or lung problems

• research has shown more links to air pollution & diseases

• Americans pay tens of billions in healthcare costs related to respiratory diseases caused by air pollution

Short-Term Health Effects

of Air Pollution• headaches• nausea• irritation to the eyes, nose, & throat• tightness in the chest• coughing• upper respiratory infections (bronchitis &

pneumonia)• makes asthma & emphysema worse• these are reversible is exposure decreases

Long-Term Health Effectsof Air Pollution

• emphysema• lung cancer• heart disease• damage to the lungs of children• may worsen medical conditions of

the elderly

Police Officer Wearing a Smog Mask in Bangkok,

Thailand

Indoor Air Pollution

•sometimes the quality of air inside a home or building is worse than the air outside

•plastics & other industrial chemical are major sources, like those found in carpets, building materials, paints, & furniture (esp. when new)

Indoor Air Pollution

•identifying & removing the sources of indoor air pollution is the most effective way to maintain good indoor air quality

•ventilation is key & should be increased during times such as renovating & painting

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Sick-Building Syndrome

•most common in hot places where buildings are tightly sealed to keep out the heat

•people can develop allergic reactions to fungi (mold & mildew) that grow in the air-conditioning ducts, ceiling tiles, carpets, & furniture

Radon Gas

•a colorless, tasteless, & odorless gas that is radioactive

•occurs naturally In Earth’s crust from the radioactive decay of uranium

•can seep through cracks & holes in the foundations of homes & businesses, & schools

Radon Gas

•the gas adheres to dust particles that are inhaled & enters the lungs

•here, radon destroys the genetic material in cells that line the air passages, leading to lung cancer

•people who smoke are especially susceptible

Radon Detecto

r

Asbestos

• minerals that form long, thin fibers

• valued for their strength & resistance to hear

• used primarily as an insulator & as a fire retardant

• used extensively in building materials

• banned in early 1970s

Asbestos Fibers

Asbestos

• exposure is dangerous• fibers that are inhaled can cut &

scar the lungs, causing the disease asbestosis

• victims have more & more difficulty breathing, may eventually die of heart failure

• billions of dollars have been spent to remove asbestos from school buildings across the U.S.

Asbestos Removal

Noise Pollution

• any unnecessary sound• a pollutant that affects human

health & the quality of human life• airplanes, construction equipment,

city traffic, factories, home appliances, lawnmowers, etc.

• underwater noises also disrupt the ability of marine mammals to navigate & communicate

Health Problems from Noise Pollution

•loss of hearing•high blood pressure•stress•can cause loss of sleep which

can lead to decreased productivity at work or in the classroom

Measuring Noise Pollution

• the intensity of sound is measured in units called decibels (dB)

• the quietest sound that a human ear can hear is represented by 0 dB

• each increase represents a decibel level that is 10 times higher than the previous level

• a sound of 120 dB is a the threshold of pain & can result in permanent deafness

Intensity of

Common Noises

Light Pollution

•unlike air & noise pollution, light pollution does not present a direct hazard to human health but it does negatively affect our environment

•in urban areas, inefficient lighting diminishes the view of the night sky & is a waste of energy

•it also affect nocturnal animals

Light Pollution

•for example – lighting that is directed upwards into the night sky is lost to space

•this comes from billboards, signs that are lit from below, lighting of a buildings exterior, & street lights of poor quality

Controlling Light Pollution

•shield lights so the light is directed downwards

•use time controls so that light is used only when needed

•use low-pressure sodium sources which are the most energy–efficient source of light