Climate: Air Quality

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?