Activity 3.3.1 Air Pollution Core Activity
Air Pollution Basics
§ Sulfur Pollutants:
¨ Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) are both sulfur pollutants.
¨ Larger quantities of H2S is dangerous for humans to breathe, but it only stays in the atmosphere for about a day.
¨ SO2 can stay in the atmosphere up to four days, so it can travel longer distances.
¨ Sulfur pollutants come from volcanos naturally, and “volcanoes emit about 12-million tons of Sulphur gases per year, of which 90% is SO2 and 10% is H2S” (369).
§ Nitrogen Pollutants:
¨ Nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3) are nitrogen pollutants.
¨ Ammonia (NH3) is a colorless gas that is produced during the anaerobic decomposition of dead plants.
¨ Nitrous oxide (N2O), also known as laughing gas, is a colorless gas used in medicine. It stays in the atmosphere for about four years.
¨ Nitric oxide (NO) is colorless and odorless.
¨ Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is reddish, pungent, and irritating to the lungs and eyes.
¨ Together NO and NO2 are referred to as NOx.
¨ 430 tons of NOx are emitted naturally every year.
§ Hydrocarbon and Volatile Organic Compound Pollutants
¨ Hydrocarbons are a diverse group of chemicals made up of various combinations of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
¨ Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may contain oxygen, nitrogen, and other light elements in addition to carbon and hydrogen.
¨ Methane (CH4) is the simplest hydrocarbon.
¨ Most natural emissions of methane come from fermentation of organic matter.
¨ Natural methane emissions are about 1.6 billion tons per year.
Comparison of Current AQI
o AQI stands for air quality index. Air quality index is how the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) measures air quality in a certain area.
Comparison of Current AQI
Time of Day
|
AQI Current
|
AQI Forecast
|
PM2.5
|
O3
| |
Orlando, FL (highest)
|
6:00 pm
|
64
|
Good (0-50)
|
64
|
30
|
San Antonio, TX (Where I Live)
|
5:00 pm
|
43
|
Moderate
(51-100)
|
16
|
43
|
Los Angeles, CA
|
3:00 pm
|
58
|
57
|
55
|
38
|
Orlando, FL had the highest air quality count for the U.S. today, Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 6pm EST. However, the count was only 64, meaning it was on the low end of moderate. Orlando’s PM2.5 was practically double its ozone. It was a pretty good day overall for the United States. Tomorrow the air quality index for Orlando should become better and drop to the good section on the index.
San Antonio’s AQI was good at 5pm CST, Tuesday, March 31, 2020. It was on the higher side of good, measuring 43, but that is still fine. San Antonio was opposite of Orlando today with its PM2.5 and ozone count. The PM2.5 measured at 16 and the ozone was up to 43. I wonder if the ozone count is connected to the weather because it recently rained. Tomorrow, San Antonio’s AQI will become moderate.
Los Angeles’ AQI was moderate at 3pm PDT, measuring 58. PM2.5 measures higher than ozone today in Los Angeles, just like Orlando. Los Angeles’ PM2.5 count is 55, and the ozone count is 38. Tomorrow, Los Angeles’ will have a similar AQI measuring 57, moderate.
Resources for Data
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019, June 18). Air quality index basics. Air Now. Retrieved from https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main (Links to an external site.)
Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards
· PM2.5 is particulate matter (organic, metal, etc. particles floating in air) that is 2.5 micrometers (equal to one millionth of a meter) or less. These are not visible to the naked eye, unless they are concentrated. Because they are so small, they can get into your lungs and possibly cause lung and heart disease. They can also prompt or worsen asthma, heart attack, and bronchitis.
· O3 is simply ozone. Ground level ozone is an air pollutant. High levels of ozone can injure plants, and is toxic to humans and animals if exposed for long periods of time. Ozone can irritate and damage the eyes and the respiratory system.
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
|
1.6 µg/m3
|
4:00 pm
|
O3
Average measured over 8 hours - 70 ppb (137 µg/m3)
|
43 ppb
|
4:00 pm
|
Resources for Data
· Map of current PM2.5 - https://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl?user_param=88502
· Map of current ozone levels - https://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl
· Geographical Texas Air Quality Monitoring (GeoTAM) - https://tceq.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ab6f85198bda483a997a6956a8486539
Resources:
Freedman, B. (2018). Environmental science: A Canadian perspective. Halifax, Canada: Dalhousie University Libraries.
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