Activity 3.3.1 Air Pollution Core Activity

 

Air Pollutions

Gaseous air pollutants are harmful substances that exist in the air in a gas form (as opposed to solid particles or liquid droplets). They come from both natural sources (like volcanoes and wildfires) and human activities (like burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and vehicle emissions). Gaseous air pollution can be broken down into three categories:

-Sulfur Pollutants

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a colorless but sharp-smelling gas and one of the most significant gaseous air pollutants, mainly released from burning fossil fuels and industrial processes. Natural sources include volcanoes and wildfires, but human activities produce several times more SO₂ than nature. High concentration can harm plants, cause hidden yield losses, and irritate human lungs, especially in sensitive individuals. Many countries have reduced SO₂ emissions through cleaner fuels, scrubbers, and pollution-control technologies, making this one of the major air-quality success stories.

-Nitrogen Pollutants

              Nitrogen gases like nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ammonia (NH₃) are some of the primary air pollutants. Ammonia mostly comes from wetlands and animal waste, while nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, comes from soil microbes and farm fertilizers. Cars, power plants, and fires release NO and NO₂, which can later turn into nitrates that cause acid rain. Too much exposure, especially in jobs with high levels of NOₓ, can lead to breathing problems.

-Hydrocarbons and VOCs

            Hydrocarbons are chemicals made of hydrogen and carbon, with methane (CH₄) being the simplest and most common one. Methane primarily originates from wetlands, wildfires, and animals such as cows and termites, whereas other hydrocarbons are derived from plants, fuels, and vehicle emissions. They play a significant role in forming ozone layers and contribute to global warming, primarily through methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measurement used to show how clean or polluted the air is in a specific area. It rates air quality on a scale from 0 to 500, where lower numbers indicate cleaner air and higher numbers indicate more pollution. The AQI focuses on key pollutants like ozone, particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The AQI helps people know when it’s safe to go outside or when to limit outdoor activities.

Comparison of Current AQI

 

Time of Day

AQI Current

AQI Forecast

PM2.5

O3

Indio, Las Angelas (highest)

6:00 pm

263

Unhealthy

129

174

San Antonio, TX (Where I Live)

8:00 PM

49

Good

36

49

Los Angeles, CA

5:00 PM

32

Good

18

32

 

Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards

-PM2.5

PM2.5 refers to delicate particulate matter in the air that is 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter, about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. PM2.5 comes from sources like vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, wildfires, and burning fuels. High concentrations of PM2.5 reduce visibility, contribute to haze, and are a significant component of air pollution health risks. Air quality measurements often track PM2.5 to assess the safety of outdoor air for humans.

 

-Ozone (O3)

              O₃, or ozone, is a gas made of three oxygen atoms. High up in the atmosphere, it forms the ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful UV rays. Near the ground, ozone is a pollutant created when sunlight reacts with other gases, and it can harm lungs, cause breathing problems, and damage plants. So, the ozone layer can be beneficial in the atmosphere but harmful at ground level.

Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards

National Standard

San Antonio Current measured over 1 hour

Time of Day

PM2.5

Average measured over 24 hours - 35 μg/m3

 36 µg/m3

8:00 pm

O3

Average measured over 8 hours - 70 ppb (137 µg/m3)

 39 ppb

8:00 pm



References: 

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