Environmental Chapeter 20 – Flashcards
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Asthmatic children in Los Angeles have been collecting data about air quality by wearing monitors that continuously sample levels ______________ & __________________ both of which are commonly present in vehicle emissions and are known to irritate lung tissue
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of small particles & nitrogen dioxide in the air.
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Asthmatic children in Los Angeles have been collecting data about air quality by breathing into a specially designed collection bag several times a day, their breath is assessed for_____________________, which is a chemical marker for airway inflammation.
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nitric oxide
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Why is the breath of asthmatic kids in LA assessed for nitric oxide?
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Because its a chemical marker for airway inflammation.
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Prevalence of Asthma doubled from _______ to the mid _______
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1980 to the mid-1990s
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Asthma is a respiratory ailment marked by what 2 problems with the lungs?
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inflammation & constriction of the narrow airways of the lungs.
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What disease is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the US & other developed nations & a major cause of childhood disability?
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Asthma
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____ million kids & ____ million adults diagnosed are diagnosed with asthma
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7 million kids 17.5 million adults
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What is the leading cause of school absences?
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Asthma
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Outdoor air pollution in urban areas is responsible for at least ________ million deaths annually.
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1.3 million deaths annually
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Indoor air pollution may be responsible for _______ million or more premature deaths per year.
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2 million or more
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The link between air quality and human illness was recognized in the ______ when people in Belgium became sick and died as a result of trapped pollutants associated with a temperature inversion.
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1930s
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The link between air quality and human illness was recognized in the 1930s when ---->
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Ppl in Belgium became sick & died b/c of trapped pollutants associated with a temp inversion.
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In England in the 1940s, acid aerosols became trapped in the atmosphere, killing ______ people.
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4,000
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Which region had the most deaths attributed to outdoor air pollution in 2012?
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Western pacific
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Which region had the most deaths attributed to indoor air pollution in 2012?
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South-East Asia
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Which region had the least deaths attributed to outdoor air pollution in 2012?
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Americas
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Which region had the least deaths attributed to indoor air pollution in 2012?
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High-income countires
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6 sources of Air pollution
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- Vehicle exhaust - Industry emissions - Coal-fired power plants - Indoor burning of solid fuels (charcoal, wood, animal waste) - Natural sources (sandstorms, volcanic eruptions, wildfires) - Cigarette smoke
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Air Pollution
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Any material added to the atmosphere that harms living organisms, affects the climate, or impacts structures.
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Primary Air Pollutants
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Air pollutants directly released from stationary & mobile sources
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Secondary Air Pollutants
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Air pollutants formed when primary pollutants react with one another or other chemicals in the air
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Ground-level ozone
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(a secondary air pollutant) forms when nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels react with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of sunlight.
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What type of pollution is Ground-level ozone?
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A secondary air pollutant that forms when nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels react with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of sunlight.
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Particulate matter
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The sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air, many of which are hazardous.
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What are the 6 "criteria pollutants"?
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1) particulate matter (PM) 2) Sulfur dioxide 3) Carbon monoxide 4) Nitrogen oxides 5) Ground-level ozone 6) Lead
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_________ particles have more potential to cause health problems b/c they can enter tissue easier
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smaller
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In addition to the six criteria pollutants, the EPA also recognizes ______ hazardous air pollutants that can have adverse effects on human health.
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187 hazardous air pollutants
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Whats an example of Environmental Racism?
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Minority communities still face more exposure to pollution than average
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In general, _______ risk is higher for minorities, regardless of income level.
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cancer
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In general, cancer risk is higher for ___________, regardless of income level.
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minorities
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Why are kids of low-income families especially at risk of breathing air that affects their lungs?
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B/c their homes are often near major roads or factories, & often come from and go to school when traffic is heaviest.
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Air quality issues take an economic toll on what 3 things?
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individuals, industry, & society.
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Though there are natural sources of air pollution, most of it is caused by what?
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human actions.
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What is the most common chronic illness among children in the US?
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Asthma
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1 in __ American children has asthma, compared to about 1 in __ adults.
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1 in 10 American Kids 1 in 13 adults.
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What 2 countries have the highest incidence of asthma with more than 8% of each population diagnosed as asthmatic in 2011?
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The United States & the United Kingdom
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What was the goal of the study of the Asthmatic children in LA?
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To paint a picture of the types and amounts of pollutants that exacerbate asthma.
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How were the kids included in the study of the Asthmatic children in LA selected?
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They were all currently being treated for mild to moderate asthma, & the area they all lived in had significant vehicle air pollution.
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How long were the kids included in the study of the Asthmatic children in LA studies for?
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10 consecutive days
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Developing nations are also seeing a rise in asthma, especially in ____________.
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urban centers
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Researchers believe that _______________________may play a key role in the recent asthma spike
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air pollution
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Contaminants, either from natural sources or human activities, that cause health or environmental problems
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air pollution
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WHO recognizes air pollution as a major threat to human health, especially what 2 types of diseases?
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cardiovascular & respiratory diseases
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In 2012, outdoor air pollution caused _____ million premature deaths & indoor air pollution caused _______ mil premature deaths.
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Outdoor air pollution= 3.7 mil premature deaths Indoor air pollution= 4.3 mil premature deaths.
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WHO recognizes air pollution as a major threat to human health, especially cardiovascular diseases such as ---->
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coronary heart disease & stroke
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WHO recognizes air pollution as a major threat to human health, especially respiratory diseases such as ---->
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Lung Cancer Asthma Respiratory Infections
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In many urban areas & in developed nations today, much of the outdoor air pollution comes from where?
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Vehicle exhaust& Industry emissions (including emissions from coal-fired power plants.)
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In less-developed nations, where does most of the indoor air pollution comes from where?
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small particles, released through burning solid fuels like charcoal, wood, or animal waste.
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In less-developed nations, is outdoor or indoor air pollution often more of a problem?
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indoor air pollution
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In developed nations, is outdoor or indoor air pollution often more of a problem?
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Outdoor air pollution
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Air pollution is caused by ___________ & ___________ sources, includes emissions that are directly harmful (primary pollutants) & those that are converted to harmful forms (secondary pollutants).
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natural & anthropogenic
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Outdoor air pollution includes ___________ and ___________ in the atmosphere that can be either natural in origin or come from humans.
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chemicals and small particles in the atmosphere
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Outdoor air pollution that is natural in origin arise from ---->
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Natural events like sandstorms, volcanic eruptions, or wildfires
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Examples of outdoor air pollution that arise from humans ---->
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- Pollution released from factories & vehicles during the combustion of fossil fuels -From burning any biomass such as wood, crop waste, or garbage.
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What type of air pollution includes emissions that are directly harmful
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Primary Pollutants
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What type of air pollution includes emissions that are converted to harmful forms?
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Secondary Pollutants
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Primary air pollutants are pollutants released directly from both ---->
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both mobile sources (such as cars) & stationary sources (such as industrial plants)
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Smog
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A hazy air pollution that contains a variety of primary & secondary pollutants.
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Where is the troposphere located in relation to the earth?
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It's the closest to Earth
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Some primary air pollutants react with one another or with other chemicals in the air to form____________.
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secondary air pollutants (Example, ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2—together expressed as NOx) released during fossil fuel combustion react with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of sunlight.)
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The Ozone Layer, is an area with high ________________ concentrations.
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ozone (O3)
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Ozone in the stratosphere is significant because it serves as Earth's ------->
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Earth's sunscreen, blocking some of the dangerous UV radiation from the Sun.
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Ozone in the _______ is a good thing, but ozone at _________ is a problem.
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Stratosphere is a good thing, but ozone at ground level is a problem.
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Don't confuse ground-level ozone pollution with stratospheric ozone depletion. These are two very different problems, though they deal with the same molecule, ___.
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O3
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Pollution can also move from the __________ (closest to Earth) up into the __________, a much thinner layer of the atmosphere that extends from 11 to 50 kilos above Earth.
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troposphere up into the stratosphere
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Why don't you want to breathe in the ozone at ground level?
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b/c it can directly damage the sensitive tissue of the lungs.
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stratosphere
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a much thinner layer of the atmosphere that extends from 11 to 50 kilos (7 to 31 miles) above Earth.
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What is one of the main contributors to Asthma?
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Outdoor air pollution (all forms)
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Criteria air pollutants
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Standards set by the EPA for the most common but problematic pollutants, 5 of these were chemical air pollutants
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In _______, the EPA set standards for the most common but problematic pollutants—known as criteria air pollutants.
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1971
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What are the 5 chemical criteria air pollutants?
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- Carbon monoxide - Sulfur dioxide (SO2) - Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - Lead - Ground-level ozone (secondary pollutant)
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particulate matter (PM)
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particles or droplets small enough to remain aloft in the air for long periods of time.
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What particulates aggravate asthma ; other chronic lung diseases ; increase the risk for death?
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its the smallest particles, those with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (?m), about 1/40 the diameter of a human hair
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There are many sources of outdoor air pollution, both __________ ; __________.
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natural ; anthropogenic
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What transports pollution that reaches the upper troposphere or the stratosphere around the globe?
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Prevailing winds
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Which type of pollutant, have levels dropped significantly for since the passage of the Clean Air Act?
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lead
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Which are the 2 pollutants that are considered the most problematic ; health-threatening pollutants in the US?
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Ag ; industrial pollutants
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The higher the air pollution, the higher the risk of ________.
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death
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How did researchers at Harvard see if there was a link between health ; small particulate pollution?
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They compared death rates ; PM2.5 levels in 6 U.S. cities
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Small Particulate Pollution
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PM2.5; that is, particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers
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What did the Harvard researchers data reveal?
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That as particulate pollution increases, so does the mortality rate.
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WHO estimates that ___ million people die prematurely each year b/c of exposure to air pollution.
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8 million
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Research has shown that asthma rates are higher in people who breathe polluted air, ; kids are particularly sensitive, Why?
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- They breathe in more air for their size than adults - Developing tissue is more vulnerable.
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Respiratory ailments are common b/c particulates from soot ; smog damage ____________ tissue ; increase susceptibility to ____________.
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Respiratory tissue ; increase susceptibility to infection
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The Harvard researchers results from the 2nd study in 2007 suggested that high levels of particulate pollution ____________ lung function.
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decrease
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More recent studies have shown a positive correlation btw the amount of air pollution exposure ; ____________ ____________ as well as the number of hospital visits.
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lung inflammation
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5 Adverse affects of air pollution
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Causes: - Health problems - Damages structures - Reduces visibility - Contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion - Contributes to climate change.
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Particles smaller than ______ ?m can actually penetrate cells of the lungs or enter the bloodstream, where they are delivered to other cells of the body.
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2.5 ?m
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Irritants like particles, dust, and pollen can cause the lungs to produce excess ___________ in an attempt to trap and expel the irritant.
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mucus
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The NYU researchers found that students in the South Bronx were _______ as likely to attend a school near a highway as were children in other parts of the city. The South Bronx is home to some of the highest asthma hospitalization rates for kids in NYC.
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twice
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What are the leading environmental causes of lung cancer? (2)
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Exposure to secondhand smoke Exposure to radon
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Exposure to what 2 things is linked to increased risk for lung ; breast cancer?
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Exposure to smog ; vehicle emissions
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Prenatal exposure to what air pollutants, is linked to birth defects?
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polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
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Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is linked to _____________
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is linked to birth defects.
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Criteria air pollutants
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Standards set by the EPA for the most common but problematic pollutants
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Criteria air pollutants
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EPA set standards for the most common but problematic pollutants
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Maternal exposure to air pollution causes babies to be born ___________ and with ___________, in part due to the fact that air pollution increases the risk that pregnant women will suffer from preeclampsia
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born prematurely and with low birth weight
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polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) os released as by-products from the combustion of _____________, _____________, _____________, or _____________
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combustion of wood, tobacco, coal, or diesel
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What might explain the fact that people living in polluted areas also have higher rates of heart attacks and stroke?.
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The fact that since the cardiovascular system depends on the respiratory system to provide oxygen for the body, anything that impairs the lungs also harms the cardiovascular system,
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As a group _____________, especially aquatic ones, seem to be more directly impacted by air pollution (toxic effects or reproductive declines) than are _____________.
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Invertebrates than are vertebrates.
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The higher acidity causes _____________ to build up in water; which is toxic to fish, especially juvenile salmon.
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aluminum
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Plant tissues are also vulnerable to pollutants like _____________ and _____________, which cause direct damage to sensitive cell membranes.
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smog and ozone
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Which plant is particularly vulnerable to air pollution like nitrogen emissions (NOx), ; their decline is seen as a warning of the potential for damage to forests ; crops.
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Lichens
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Estimates of crop yields predict decreases for _____________, _____________, and _____________ ranging from 4% - 26% by 2030, amounting to dollar losses in the billions.
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decreases for soybean, wheat, and maize
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Acid in polluted rain literally eats away at _____________ ; _____________ structures;
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limestone ; marble
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Air pollution increases the risk that pregnant women will suffer from ___________________
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Preeclampsia
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Preeclampsia
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a form of pregnancy-related hypertension.
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Criteria air pollutants
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EPA set standards for the most common but problematic pollutants
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Criteria air pollutants
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EPA set standards for the most common but problematic pollutants
