Pollution

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Air pollution from World War II weapon production in Alabama Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.[1] Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light. Pollutants, the elements of pollution, can be foreign substances or energies, or naturally occurring; when naturally occurring, they are considered contaminants when they exceed natural levels. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. The Blacksmith Institute issues an annual list of the world's worst polluted places. In the 2007 issues the ten top nominees are located in Azerbaijan, China, India, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, and Zambia.[2]

Contents
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1 Ancient cultures 2 Official acknowledgement 3 Modern awareness 4 Forms of pollution 5 Pollutants 6 Sources and causes 7 Effects o 7.1 Human health o 7.2 Environment o 7.3 Environmental health information 8 Regulation and monitoring 9 Pollution control o 9.1 Practices

o 9.2 Pollution control devices 10 Perspectives 11 Greenhouse gases and global warming 12 See also 13 References 14 External links

[edit] Ancient cultures

Air pollution has always been with us. According to a 1983 article in the journal Science, "soot found on ceilings of prehistoric caves provides ample evidence of the high levels of pollution that was associated with inadequate ventilation of open fires."[3] The forging of metals appears to be a key turning point in the creation of significant air pollution levels outside the home. Core samples of glaciers in Greenland indicate increases in pollution associated with Greek, Roman and Chinese metal production.[4]

[edit] Official acknowledgement

King Edward I of England banned the burning of sea-coal by proclamation in London in 1272, after its smoke had become a problem.[5][6] But the fuel was so common in England that this earliest of names for it was acquired because it could be carted away from some shores by the wheelbarrow. Air pollution would continue to be a problem in England, especially later during the industrial revolution, and extending into the recent past with the Great Smog of 1952. London also recorded one of the earlier extreme cases of water quality problems with the Great Stink on the Thames of 1858, which led to construction of the London sewerage system soon afterward. It was the industrial revolution that gave birth to environmental pollution as we know it today. The emergence of great factories and consumption of immense quantities of coal and other fossil fuels gave rise to unprecedented air pollution and the large volume of industrial chemical discharges added to the growing load of untreated human waste. Chicago and Cincinnati were the first two American cities to enact laws ensuring cleaner air in 1881. Other cities followed around the country until early in the 20th century, when the short lived Office of Air Pollution was created under the Department of the Interior. Extreme smog events were experienced by the cities of Los Angeles and Donora, Pennsylvania in the late 1940s, serving as another public reminder.[7]

[edit] Modern awareness

Pollution became a popular issue after World War II, due to radioactive fallout from atomic warfare and testing. Then a non-nuclear event, The Great Smog of 1952 in London, killed at least 4000 people.[8] This prompted some of the first major modern environmental legislation, The Clean Air Act of 1956.

Pollution began to draw major public attention in the United States between the mid-1950s and early 1970s, when Congress passed the Noise Control Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Bad bouts of local pollution helped increase consciousness. PCB dumping in the Hudson River resulted in a ban by the EPA on consumption of its fish in 1974. Long-term dioxin contamination at Love Canal starting in 1947 became a national news story in 1978 and led to the Superfund legislation of 1980. Legal proceedings in the 1990s helped bring to light Chromium-6 releases in California--the champions of whose victims became famous. The pollution of industrial land gave rise to the name brownfield, a term now common in city planning. DDT was banned in most of the developed world after the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. The development of nuclear science introduced radioactive contamination, which can remain lethally radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years. Lake Karachay, named by the Worldwatch Institute as the "most polluted spot" on earth, served as a disposal site for the Soviet Union thoroughout the 1950s and 1960s. Second place may go to the area of Chelyabinsk U.S.S.R. (see reference below) as the "Most polluted place on the planet".[citation needed] Nuclear weapons continued to be tested in the Cold War, sometimes near inhabited areas, especially in the earlier stages of their development. The toll on the worst-affected populations and the growth since then in understanding about the critical threat to human health posed by radioactivity has also been a prohibitive complication associated with nuclear power. Though extreme care is practiced in that industry, the potential for disaster suggested by incidents such as those at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl pose a lingering specter of public mistrust. One legacy of nuclear testing before most forms were banned has been significantly raised levels of background radiation.[citation needed] International catastrophes such as the wreck of the Amoco Cadiz oil tanker off the coast of Brittany in 1978 and the Bhopal disaster in 1984 have demonstrated the universality of such events and the scale on which efforts to address them needed to engage. The borderless nature of atmosphere and oceans inevitably resulted in the implication of pollution on a planetary level with the issue of global warming. Most recently the term persistent organic pollutant (POP) has come to describe a group of chemicals such as PBDEs and PFCs[disambiguation needed] among others. Though their effects remain somewhat less well understood owing to a lack of experimental data, they have been detected in various ecological habitats far removed from industrial activity such as the Arctic, demonstrating diffusion and bioaccumulation after only a relatively brief period of widespread use. Growing evidence of local and global pollution and an increasingly informed public over time have given rise to environmentalism and the environmental movement, which generally seek to limit human impact on the environment.

[edit] Forms of pollution

The Lachine Canal in Montreal Canada, is polluted. The major forms of pollution are listed below along with the particular pollutants relevant to each of them:

Air pollution, the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common gaseous pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized by their micrometre size PM10 to PM2.5. Light pollution, includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference. Littering Noise pollution, which encompasses roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-intensity sonar. Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released intentionally, by spill or underground leakage. Among the most significant soil contaminants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals, MTBE,[9] herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Radioactive contamination, resulting from 20th century activities in atomic physics, such as nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons research, manufacture and deployment. (See alpha emitters and actinides in the environment.) Thermal pollution, is a temperature change in natural water bodies caused by human influence, such as use of water as coolant in a power plant. Visual pollution, which can refer to the presence of overhead power lines, motorway billboards, scarred landforms (as from strip mining), open storage of trash or municipal solid waste. Water pollution, by the discharge of wastewater from commercial and industrial waste (intentionally or through spills) into surface waters; discharges of untreated domestic sewage, and chemical contaminants, such as chlorine, from treated sewage; release of waste and contaminants into surface runoff flowing to surface waters (including urban runoff and

agricultural runoff, which may contain chemical fertilizers and pesticides); waste disposal and leaching into groundwater; eutrophication and littering.

[edit] Pollutants
Main article: Pollutant A pollutant is a waste material that pollutes air, water or soil. Three factors determine the severity of a pollutant: its chemical nature, the concentration and the persistence.

[edit] Sources and causes

Air pollution produced by ships may alter clouds, affecting global temperatures. Air pollution comes from both natural and man made sources. Though globally man made pollutants from combustion, construction, mining, agriculture and warfare are increasingly significant in the air pollution equation.[10] Motor vehicle emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution.[11][12][13] China, United States, Russia, Mexico, and Japan are the world leaders in air pollution emissions. Principal stationary pollution sources include chemical plants, coal-fired power plants, oil refineries,[14] petrochemical plants, nuclear waste disposal activity, incinerators, large livestock farms (dairy cows, pigs, poultry, etc.), PVC factories, metals production factories, plastics factories, and other heavy industry. Agricultural air pollution comes from contemporary practices which include clear felling and burning of natural vegetation as well as spraying of pesticides and herbicides[15] About 400 million metric tons of hazardous wastes are generated each year.[16] The United States alone produces about 250 million metric tons.[17] Americans constitute less than 5% of the world's population, but produce roughly 25% of the worlds CO2,[18] and generate approximately 30% of worlds waste.[19][20] In 2007, China has overtaken the United States as the world's biggest producer of CO2.[21] In February 2007, a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), representing the work of 2,500 scientists, economists, and policymakers from more than 120 countries, said that humans have been the primary cause of global warming since 1950. Humans have ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the consequences of global warming, a

major climate report concluded. But in order to change the climate, the transition from fossil fuels like coal and oil needs to occur within decades, according to the final report this year from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).[22] Some of the more common soil contaminants are chlorinated hydrocarbons (CFH), heavy metals (such as chromium, cadmiumfound in rechargeable batteries, and leadfound in lead paint, aviation fuel and still in some countries, gasoline), MTBE, zinc, arsenic and benzene. In 2001 a series of press reports culminating in a book called Fateful Harvest unveiled a widespread practice of recycling industrial byproducts into fertilizer, resulting in the contamination of the soil with various metals. Ordinary municipal landfills are the source of many chemical substances entering the soil environment (and often groundwater), emanating from the wide variety of refuse accepted, especially substances illegally discarded there, or from pre-1970 landfills that may have been subject to little control in the U.S. or EU. There have also been some unusual releases of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, commonly called dioxins for simplicity, such as TCDD.[23] Pollution can also be the consequence of a natural disaster. For example, hurricanes often involve water contamination from sewage, and petrochemical spills from ruptured boats or automobiles. Larger scale and environmental damage is not uncommon when coastal oil rigs or refineries are involved. Some sources of pollution, such as nuclear power plants or oil tankers, can produce widespread and potentially hazardous releases when accidents occur. In the case of noise pollution the dominant source class is the motor vehicle, producing about ninety percent of all unwanted noise worldwide.

[edit] Effects
[edit] Human health

Overview of main health effects on humans from some common types of pollution.[24][25][26]

Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can cause respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrhoeal sickness every day.[27] Nearly 500 million Chinese lack access to safe drinking water.[28] 656,000 people die prematurely each year in China because of air pollution. In India, air pollution is believed to cause 527,700 fatalities a year.[29] Studies have estimated that the number of people killed annually in the US could be over 50,000.[30] Oil spills can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution induces hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance. Mercury has been linked to developmental deficits in children and neurologic symptoms. Older people are majorly exposed to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk. Lead and other heavy metals have been shown to cause neurological problems. Chemical and radioactive substances can cause cancer and as well as birth defects.

[edit] Environment
Pollution has been found to be present widely in the environment. There are a number of effects of this:

Biomagnification describes situations where toxins (such as heavy metals) may pass through trophic levels, becoming exponentially more concentrated in the process. Carbon dioxide emissions cause ocean acidification, the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans as CO2 becomes dissolved. The emission of greenhouse gases leads to global warming which affects ecosystems in many ways. Invasive species can out compete native species and reduce biodiversity. Invasive plants can contribute debris and biomolecules (allelopathy) that can alter soil and chemical compositions of an environment, often reducing native species competitiveness. Nitrogen oxides are removed from the air by rain and fertilise land which can change the species composition of ecosystems. Smog and haze can reduce the amount of sunlight received by plants to carry out photosynthesis and leads to the production of tropospheric ozone which damages plants. Soil can become infertile and unsuitable for plants. This will affect other organisms in the food web. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause acid rain which lowers the pH value of soil.

[edit] Environmental health information

The Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP)[31] at the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM) maintains a comprehensive toxicology and environmental health web site that includes access to resources produced by TEHIP and by other government agencies and organizations. This web site includes links to databases, bibliographies, tutorials, and other scientific and consumer-oriented resources. TEHIP also is responsible for the

Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET)[32] an integrated system of toxicology and environmental health databases that are available free of charge on the web. TOXMAP is a Geographic Information System (GIS) that is part of TOXNET. TOXMAP uses maps of the United States to help users visually explore data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Toxics Release Inventory and Superfund Basic Research Programs.

[edit] Regulation and monitoring

Main article: Regulation and monitoring of pollution To protect the environment from the adverse effects of pollution, many nations worldwide have enacted legislation to regulate various types of pollution as well as to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution.

[edit] Pollution control

Pollution control is a term used in environmental management. It means the control of emissions and effluents into air, water or soil. Without pollution control, the waste products from consumption, heating, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and other human activities, whether they accumulate or disperse, will degrade the environment. In the hierarchy of controls, pollution prevention and waste minimization are more desirable than pollution control. In the field of land development, low impact development is a similar technique for the prevention of urban runoff.

[edit] Practices

recycling

[edit] Pollution control devices

Dust collection systems o Baghouses o Cyclones o Electrostatic precipitators Scrubbers o Baffle spray scrubber o Cyclonic spray scrubber o Ejector venturi scrubber o Mechanically aided scrubber o Spray tower o Wet scrubber Sewage treatment o Sedimentation (Primary treatment)

Activated sludge biotreaters (Secondary treatment; also used for industrial wastewater) Aerated lagoons Constructed wetlands (also used for urban runoff) Industrial wastewater treatment [14][33] o API oil-water separators o Biofilters o Dissolved air flotation (DAF) o Powdered activated carbon treatment o Ultrafiltration Vapor recovery systems

o o o

[edit] Perspectives
The earliest precursor of pollution generated by life forms would have been a natural function of their existence. The attendant consequences on viability and population levels fell within the sphere of natural selection. These would have included the demise of a population locally or ultimately, species extinction. Processes that were untenable would have resulted in a new balance brought about by changes and adaptations. At the extremes, for any form of life, consideration of pollution is superseded by that of survival. For humankind, the factor of technology is a distinguishing and critical consideration, both as an enabler and an additional source of byproducts. Short of survival, human concerns include the range from quality of life to health hazards. Since science holds experimental demonstration to be definitive, modern treatment of toxicity or environmental harm involves defining a level at which an effect is observable. Common examples of fields where practical measurement is crucial include automobile emissions control, industrial exposure (e.g. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) PELs), toxicology (e.g. LD50), and medicine (e.g. medication and radiation doses). "The solution to pollution is dilution", is a dictum which summarizes a traditional approach to pollution management whereby sufficiently diluted pollution is not harmful.[34][35] It is wellsuited to some other modern, locally scoped applications such as laboratory safety procedure and hazardous material release emergency management. But it assumes that the dilutant is in virtually unlimited supply for the application or that resulting dilutions are acceptable in all cases. Such simple treatment for environmental pollution on a wider scale might have had greater merit in earlier centuries when physical survival was often the highest imperative, human population and densities were lower, technologies were simpler and their byproducts more benign. But these are often no longer the case. Furthermore, advances have enabled measurement of concentrations not possible before. The use of statistical methods in evaluating outcomes has given currency to the principle of probable harm in cases where assessment is warranted but resorting to deterministic models is impractical or unfeasible. In addition, consideration of the environment beyond direct impact on human beings has gained prominence.

Yet in the absence of a superseding principle, this older approach predominates practices throughout the world. It is the basis by which to gauge concentrations of effluent for legal release, exceeding which penalties are assessed or restrictions applied. The regressive cases are those where a controlled level of release is too high or, if enforceable, is neglected. Migration from pollution dilution to elimination in many cases is confronted by challenging economical and technological barriers.

[edit] Greenhouse gases and global warming

Main article: Global warming

Historical and projected CO2 emissions by country. Source: Energy Information Administration.[36][37] Carbon dioxide, while vital for photosynthesis, is sometimes referred to as pollution, because raised levels of the gas in the atmosphere are affecting the Earth's climate. Disruption of the environment can also highlight the connection between areas of pollution that would normally be classified separately, such as those of water and air. Recent studies have investigated the potential for long-term rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide to cause slight but critical increases in the acidity of ocean waters, and the possible effects of this on marine ecosystems.

Commercial Business Development Events Industrial Business Just for Kids Water Quality Laws Other Websites Landslide Prevention Clean Water Projects Report Violations Residential/General Just for Educators Waterbodies Search Home

Just For Kids

Do you know how our creeks and beaches get polluted? Or have you ever wondered wh those holes in the sidewalk were for? Well, read on to find out

Water pollution can come from a lot of different places, but the number one reason that our creeks, rivers, lakes and beaches get dirty is from the water and other pollutants that flow into storm drains. Look below to find out more.

Whats storm water pollution? Storm water is the water that runs down the street when raining. Storm water enters holes in the gutter called storm drains. Water that flows dow street when its not raining, like when you wash your car or water your lawn, is called urban runoff. Confused yet? Take a look

After storm water and urban runoff flow into the storm drain, it gets sent to the nearest creek, river, lake or ocean so our streets dont flood. That means any pollutant on the stre in urban runoff gets carried to our waterbodies and eventually the ocean.

Yuck! Can you imagine swimming in all the gross stuff thats on our streets? Soaps, grass clipping, trash, pet waste, pesticides and fertilizers, dirt and oil are just some of the pollutants that make our water unhealthy for people and other animals.

Can you think of all the pollutants that can float down a storm drain and contaminate our water? Use the picture above and think of some on your own. Here, lets make a list

Leaves and Grass Clippings

Swimming pool chemicals

Hazardous chemicals

Soaps and detergents

Trash and Litter

Animal Waste

Dirt

Oil and other

Air pollution

Pesticides and

chemicals from cars

from cars

Fertilizers

Thats a pretty long list of stuff that can pollutant our water. But, do you know why its ba people and the environment? Chemicals like oil, chlorine (used for swimming pools), cleaners, pesticides and fertilizers can harm the animals, bugs and plants that live in the water, and can make people sick when it floats down to the ocean.

Too many leaves and grass clippings can take the oxygen out of water and suffocate the plants and animals who need oxygen to breathe. The waste from our pets is very harmful to our waterbodies. Our pets' waste has dangerous bacteria that can spread diseases to plants, animals and humans that swim in dirty water.

Soaps and detergents, like too many leaves and grass clippings, can take ox out of water and suffocate plants and animals. Also, soaps and detergents e away at the slimy mucus layer that protects fish from diseases and bacteria Did you ever think air pollution from cars could pollute our water? Yep. Remember, anything that goes up, must come down. So all the gross-looking, badsmelling, gray/black/brown/blue gases that come out of a cars' tailpipes floats up into the air and eventually lands on the ground or in a creek, river, lake or ocean.

Listen up, litterbugs the trash you throw in the street will eventually up on the beach! If you dont litter, hurray! Youre helping our environm stay clean! Trash is not only ugly to look at, but it pollutes our water an make animals sick. Youre a water pollution genius if you can get this question Why is dirt bad for creeks, rivers and lakes? Well, a little bit of dirt is natural. But, too much from whats called erosion is harmful to waterbodies. Erosion is when dirt slides off hillsides and lands in a waterbody. Also, dirt can come from our streets and sidewalks, get carried into a storm drain and eventually end up in a waterbody. So, why is dirt bad? It makes water murky, so fish have a hard time breathing or finding places to lay their eggs. Dirt also clogs up creeks, rivers and lakes making them disappear altogether.

Now that you know how water pollution happens, do you know what you can do to prevent w pollution? There are lots of little things we can do around the house to pollute less.

If you see your car leaking oil everywhere, tell your parents it needs to get fixe

Make sure you dont let water full of pollutants like dirt, chemicals, soaps and gr clippings run down the street and into a storm drain.

Make sure to clean up after your dog or cat in your yard or when you take it out walk.

Convince your parents and neighbors to use less water when they wash their car them to not let the hose run constantly, but use water only when they need it. A ask them to use a bucket with water and soap to wash the car, then drain the dirty/soapy water down the sink or in the grass. Throw all your trash in a garbage can and not on the street, sidewalk, dirt or gr

Convince your parents to drive less. Try planning trips to the store, gas station, or other places in a path so you waste less gas and time. The shorter the trips, t less the air is polluted. To learn more about storm water pollution you can check out these cool links.

Wonder who are the Duck, Fish and Turtle shown above? Meet the Oceanside Creek Frien For a bunch of different on-line Games, click here. Feel like being more creative? You can print your own coloring book. The Adventures of Oceanside Creek Friends
(7.3 MB)

Want to become a member of the POW! (Protectors of Oceanside Water) Team? Clic below to find out how you can become involved.

POW! Membership
Back to top

(147 KB)

City of Oceanside Urban Runoff Hotline 760-435-5800

HOMEPAGE | INFORMATION SHEETS | GAMES & PUZZLES | E-MAIL

You need to breathe to stay alive. But how clean is the air you breathe? If you breathe dirty air, you are more likely to develop health problems and become ill. Plants and animals need clean air too. A lot of the things that make our lives more comfortable such as cars, electricity and heating, create bad gases which make the air dirty. The problem of air pollution started with the burning of coal in homes and factories. Dirty air is called 'polluted air'.

'Air pollution' is what we say to describe all bad gases in the air that we breathe and that are dangerous for us. But do not worry! Not all gases are bad!

WHY IS BREATHING SO IMPORTANT?

Take a few deep breaths. Can you feel your rib cage moving in and out? This opens up your lungs so that air is sucked in. In the lungs, a gas called oxygen passes from the air into your blood. The oxygen is carried in the blood all round your body. You need oxygen so that you can use the energy in the food you eat. It is the oxygen in the air that helps keep you alive.

BACK TO THE PAST 500 years ago in Britain, the burning of coal was increasing in cities like London. Coal was used in factories and also used to heat homes. Coal, when burnt makes a lot of smoke, which makes the air very dirty. About 200 years ago, the Industrial Revolution began in Britain. Factories were built, and even more coal was burnt. Air pollution was becoming a really big problem, especially when the weather was foggy. With foggy conditions and light winds the smoke or air pollution covered the whole city, and would not move. Smoke and fog together create smog. Smog was a big problem in the winter. Because of the cold weather, more coal was burnt to warm houses and this made more smoke. When smog was stuck over a city, it became really hard to breathe and see clearly. In 1952, the Great London Smog occurred and more than 4000 people died because of the smog! New laws were created from this catastrophe in 1956 and 1968, so that it would not happen again. These laws are called the 'Clean Air Acts'. These laws were made so that air would become cleaner. The laws encouraged people to use less coal or use cleaner coal in their homes and

switch to other fuels such as gas. Factories started using tall chimneys so that the smoke would go high up in the sky and no longer cover cities, and new factories were built outside cities in the countryside. Smog occurred less often and the air became cleaner.

WHAT IS TODAY'S AIR POLLUTION LIKE? Have you ever noticed that the air in a city smells different from air in the country? One of the reasons is that exhausts from vehicles give off fumes, or gases, which can poison you. Today, when we think of air pollution, we should think of transport, especially cars. Today there are about 23 million vehicles on the road in Britain, and 20 million of them are cars! The fuel they use - petrol and diesel - releases a lot of pollution in the air. The car exhausts eject a lot of bad gases, which create air pollution. These gases can be very dangerous for children. Although the fuels are becoming cleaner, it will not be making that much difference because there are more and more cars. There is less pollution from coal, but today's modern world still creates air pollution. Today, air pollution has not really fallen, because new bad gases are released in the air, and there are a lot of them. Transport is not the only reason why we have air pollution. Factories also release bad gases in the air, even with the 'Clean Air Acts', it still causes a lot of air pollution. This air pollution that they make is the main cause of acid rain (see Acid Rain).

WHAT ARE THESE BAD GASES?

Gases from vehicles:

Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide is a gas that pollutes the air, and is mainly released by cars and other vehicles. It has no colour or smell. Nitrogen oxides Nitrogen oxides are emitted from vehicles, like cars and trucks. During rush hour periods, a lot more is released in the air. Nitrogen oxides are also emitted from power stations. These gases also make acid rain. Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons are produced when petrol is not fully burnt. They are one of the causes of modern-day smog. Particulates Particulates are very small particles, like soot, dust and fumes that are released in the air. They are caused by vehicles, factories and smoke from homes burning coal for heating.

Gases from factories:

Nitrogen Oxides (see above) Sulphur dioxide Sulphur dioxide has no colour. Most of it is released by power stations. It causes acid rain when mixing with water in the air.

AIR POLLUTION INSIDE HOMES We spend a large part of our lives at home and it does not often cross our mind that the air we are breathing may be polluted. Pollution inside homes is called 'indoor air pollution'.

Indoor air pollution is usually very low. But a lot of things can increase it. Fresh paint is a cause of indoor air pollution and so is the burning of fuels such as coal and gas, in heaters, stoves and ovens. But one of the main causes of indoor air pollution is smoking. Smoking cigarettes and tobacco can be very dangerous for health. The poison in the smoke can cause heart problems, lung cancer and other lung diseases. If a woman smokes when she is pregnant, her baby will probably be smaller and become ill. Cigarette smoke is dangerous for people smoking but also for those who do not! Breathing in air, which contains other people's smoke, can cause you the same health problems, for example lung cancer. To reduce 'indoor air pollution', make sure the room is well ventilated while painting. Try ventilating your home often, you can open windows or use a fan. And if your parents or friends smoke, ask them to smoke outside. And best of all NEVER START SMOKING!!!

Go to the next sheet on the Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming.......

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The Earth is wrapped in a blanket of air called the 'atmosphere', which is made up of several layers of gases. The sun is much hotter than the Earth and it gives off rays of heat (radiation) that travel through the atmosphere and reach the Earth. The rays of the sun warm the Earth, and heat from the Earth then travels back into the atmosphere. The gases in the atmosphere stop some of the heat from escaping into space. These gases are called greenhouse gases and the natural process between the sun, the atmosphere and the Earth is called the 'Greenhouse Effect', because it works the same way as a greenhouse. The windows of a greenhouse play the same role as the gases in the atmosphere, keeping some of the heat inside the greenhouse.

THE NATURAL GREENHOUSE EFFECT The atmosphere has a number of gases, often in tiny amounts, which trap the heat given out by the Earth. To make sure that the Earth's temperature remains constant, the balance of these gases in the atmosphere must not be upset.

The GREENHOUSE GASES are very important and are mainly: water vapour occurs naturally in the atmosphere. carbon dioxide produced naturally when people and animals breathe. Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide to live. Volcanoes also produce this gas. Carbon dioxide is not the same as carbon monoxide (See Air Quality) methane comes from cattle as they digest their food. The gas also comes from fields where rice is grown in paddy fields. nitrous oxide when plants die and rot, nitrous oxide is produced. ozone occurs naturally in the atmosphere.

THE ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT Some of the activities of man also produce greenhouse gases. These gases keep increasing in the atmosphere. The balance of the greenhouse gases changes and this has effects on the whole of the planet. Burning fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Cutting down and burning trees also produces a lot of carbon dioxide. A group of greenhouse gases called the chlorofluorocarbons, - which are usually called CFCs, because the other word is much too long! - have been used in aerosols, such as hairspray cans, fridges and in making foam plastics. They are found in small amounts in the atmosphere. They are dangerous greenhouse gases because small amounts can trap large amounts of heat. Because there are more and more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, more heat is trapped which makes the Earth warmer. This is known as GLOBAL WARMING. A lot of scientists agree that man's activities are making the natural greenhouse effect stronger. If we carry on polluting the atmosphere with greenhouse gases, it will have very dangerous effects on the Earth.

THE EFFECTS With more heat trapped on Earth, the planet will become warmer, which means the weather all over Earth will change. For example, summers will get hotter, and winters too. This may seem a good idea, but the conditions we are living in are perfect for life, and a large rise in temperature could be terrible for us and for any other living thing on Earth. At the moment, it is difficult for scientists to say how big the changes will be and where the worse effects will occur. The Weather

In Britain, winter and summer temperatures will increase and the weather will be warmer. In winter it may also rain more but in summer it may become drier. In other parts of the world, the effects will be different, some places will become drier and others will be wetter. Although most areas will be warmer, some areas will become cooler. There may be many storms, floods and drought, but we do not know which areas of the world will be affected. All over the world, these weather changes will affect the kind of crop that can be grown. Plants, animals and even people may find it difficult to survive in different conditions.

Sea Levels Higher temperatures will make the water of the seas and oceans expand. Ice melting in the Antarctic and Greenland will flow into the sea. All over the world, sea levels may rise, perhaps by as much as 20 to 40 cm, by the beginning of the next century. Higher sea levels will threaten the low-lying coastal areas of the world, such as the Netherlands and Bangladesh. Throughout the world, millions of people and areas of land will be at danger from flooding. Many people will have to leave their homes and large areas of farmland will be ruined because of floods. In Britain, East Anglia and the Thames estuary will be at risk from the rising sea. Farming The changes in the weather will affect the types of crops grown in different parts of the world. Some crops, such as wheat and rice grow better in higher temperatures, but other plants, such as maize and sugarcane do not. Changes in the amount of rainfall will also affect how many plants grow. The effect of a change in the weather on plant growth may lead to some countries not having enough food. Brazil, parts of Africa, south-east Asia and China will be

affected the most and many people could suffer from hunger.

Water Everywhere in the world, there is a big demand for water and in many regions, such as the Sahara in Africa, there is not enough water for the people. Changes in the weather will bring more rain in some countries, but others will have less rain. In Britain, the Southeast will be at risk from drought.

IN DANGER! Plants & Animals It has taken million of years for life to become used to the conditions on Earth. As weather and temperature changes, the homes of plants and animals will be affected all over the world. For example, polar bears and seals, will have to find new land for hunting and living, if the ice in the Arctic melts. Many animals and plants may not be able to cope with these changes and could die. This could cause the loss of some animal and plant species in certain areas of the world or People The changes in climate will affect everyone, but some populations will be at greater risk. For example, countries whose coastal regions have a large population, such as Egypt and China, may see whole populations move inland to avoid flood risk areas. The effect on people will depend on how well we can adapt to the changes and how much we can do to reduce climate change in the world.

everywhere on Earth.

Go to the next sheet on the Ozone Hole.......

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Rain is very important for life. All living things need water to live, even people. Rain brings us the water we need. But in many places in the world even where you live, rain has become a menace. Because of pollution in the air, acid gases from factories, cars and homes, the rain is becoming dangerous for the life of every living creature. This rain is known as 'acid rain'.

WHAT IS ACID RAIN? Acid gases are produced when fossil fuels like coal and oil are burned in power stations, factories and in our own homes. Most of these acid gases are blown into the sky, and when they mix with the clouds it can cause rain - or snow, sleet, fog, mist or hail - to become more acidic. The opposites of acid are alkalis; for example, toothpaste and

baking powder are both alkalis. Strong alkalis can also be dangerous, such as ammonia and bleach. Lemon juice, vinegar and cola are all acidic. Rain is naturally acidic, but acid gases make it even more acidic, sometimes as acid as lemon! Nature can also produce acid gases, such as volcanoes. When they erupt, the smoke that comes out of the crater is also full of acid gases.

HOW DO WE MEASURE ACIDITY?

There is a special scale called the pH scale that measures the strength of acids and alkalis. A low pH number means something is acid. A high number means something is alkali. And something in the middle is called neutral. Acidity can be tested using litmus paper. Usually rain is a little acidic, and has pH of about 5.5, if the pH of rainfall is less than 5.5, then the rain is probably polluted by acid gases. Acids turn litmus paper red, and alkalis turn it blue. With a special paper called universal indicator, you can test levels of acidity.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN GASES THAT CAUSE ACID RAIN?

When we burn fuels, chemicals called 'sulphur' and 'nitrogen' are released into the air. Once in the air, they mix with water in the air - rain, snow, etc - and are transformed into different chemicals called 'sulphur dioxide' and 'nitrogen oxides', which can be very dangerous for plants, animals and people. Most of the 'sulphur' comes from power stations, which make electricity, and also from volcanoes. Most of the 'nitrogen oxides' come from car and truck exhausts. We call 'air pollution' the bad gases that we produce and release in the air. 'Sulphur dioxide' and 'nitrogen oxides' are the most important causes of acid rain.

A PROBLEM ALL OVER THE WORLD Air pollution can be carried over long distances. When acid gases are released, they go high up in the sky, and then they are pushed by strong winds towards other countries. The acid rain in Sweden is caused by air pollution in Britain and other countries of Europe. The pollution produced in Britain ends up mostly in Scandinavia - countries in northern Europe including Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

In the USA, the winds blow the air pollution to certain areas in Canada.

HOW BAD IS ACID RAIN? When rain is acidic, it affects what it falls on: trees, lakes, buildings and farmland. Sometimes rain is not very acidic and does not cause a lot of problems, but when it is acidic, it can be very harmful to the environment. TREES AND PLANTS

Acid rain can have terrible effects on a forest. The acid takes away important minerals from the leaves and the soil. Minerals are like vitamins for trees and plants. Without them, trees and plants cannot grow properly. They lose their leaves and become very weak. They are no longer strong enough to fight against illnesses and frost. They become very ill and can even die. Some soils are alkaline, when acid rain falls on them the acid becomes neutral. Plants and trees living on these soils are not in any big danger.. LAKES AND WATER LIFE Acid rain has a terrible effect on water life. Even if the acid rain does not fall straight into the lake, for example, it may enter from rivers and streams. Some of the life in the lake such as fish and plants may end up dying, because they cannot survive in acidic lakes. Thousands of lakes in Scandinavia have no more life in them. They have received so much acid rain for so many years, because of the winds pushing the acid gases, that nothing can survive. You can recognise a lake dead from acid rain by its clean and crystal clear water. But they look clean because there is very little living in them anymore. Tiny plants and animals are mostly unable to survive..

OUR HEALTH Particulates - very small particles of debris found in some of the air pollution - are one of the main causes of health problems. In towns and cities, these are released mainly by diesel engines from cars and trucks. When we breathe in air pollution, these very fine particulates can easily enter our body, where they can cause breathing problems, and over time even cause cancer. Water we drink from taps can be contaminated by acid rain, which can damage the brain.. BUILDINGS Acid rain can also ruin buildings because the acid eats into metal and stone. It also damages stained glass and plastics. Some types of building materials are softer than others, and it is the softer ones which are most affected by acid rain. Sandstone and limestone are examples of stone which are fairly soft and are damaged easily. Granite is an example of a harder stone that can resist the effects of acid rain. In many places in the world, ancient and famous buildings and monuments are affected by acid rain. For example, the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, has had to be restored because of acid rain damage. Buildings are naturally eroded by rain, wind, frost and the sun, but when acidic gases are present, it speeds up the erosion.

Go to the next sheet on Air Quality.......

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You need to breathe to stay alive. But how clean is the air you breathe? If you breathe dirty air, you are more likely to develop health problems and become ill. Plants and animals need clean air too. A lot of the things that make our lives more comfortable such as cars, electricity and heating, create bad gases which make the air dirty. The problem of air pollution started with the burning of coal in homes and factories. Dirty air is called 'polluted air'.

'Air pollution' is what we say to describe all bad gases in the air that we breathe and that are dangerous for us. But do not worry! Not all gases are bad!

WHY IS BREATHING SO IMPORTANT?

Take a few deep breaths. Can you feel your rib cage moving in and out? This opens up your lungs so that air is sucked in. In the lungs, a gas called oxygen passes from the air into your blood. The oxygen is carried in the blood all round your body. You need oxygen so that you can use the energy in the food you eat. It is the oxygen in the air that helps keep you alive.

BACK TO THE PAST 500 years ago in Britain, the burning of coal was increasing in cities like London. Coal was used in factories and also used to heat homes. Coal, when burnt makes a lot of smoke, which makes the air very dirty. About 200 years ago, the Industrial Revolution began in Britain. Factories were built, and even more coal was burnt. Air pollution was becoming a really big problem, especially when the weather was foggy. With foggy conditions and light winds the smoke or air pollution covered the whole city, and would not move. Smoke and fog together create smog. Smog was a big problem in the winter. Because of the cold weather, more coal was burnt to warm houses and this made more smoke. When smog was stuck over a city, it became really hard to breathe and see clearly. In 1952, the Great London Smog occurred and more than 4000 people died because of the smog! New laws were created from this catastrophe in 1956 and 1968, so that it would not happen again. These laws are called the 'Clean Air Acts'. These laws were made so that air would become cleaner. The laws encouraged people to use less coal or use cleaner coal in their homes and

switch to other fuels such as gas. Factories started using tall chimneys so that the smoke would go high up in the sky and no longer cover cities, and new factories were built outside cities in the countryside. Smog occurred less often and the air became cleaner.

WHAT IS TODAY'S AIR POLLUTION LIKE? Have you ever noticed that the air in a city smells different from air in the country? One of the reasons is that exhausts from vehicles give off fumes, or gases, which can poison you. Today, when we think of air pollution, we should think of transport, especially cars. Today there are about 23 million vehicles on the road in Britain, and 20 million of them are cars! The fuel they use - petrol and diesel - releases a lot of pollution in the air. The car exhausts eject a lot of bad gases, which create air pollution. These gases can be very dangerous for children. Although the fuels are becoming cleaner, it will not be making that much difference because there are more and more cars. There is less pollution from coal, but today's modern world still creates air pollution. Today, air pollution has not really fallen, because new bad gases are released in the air, and there are a lot of them. Transport is not the only reason why we have air pollution. Factories also release bad gases in the air, even with the 'Clean Air Acts', it still causes a lot of air pollution. This air pollution that they make is the main cause of acid rain (see Acid Rain).

WHAT ARE THESE BAD GASES?

Gases from vehicles:

Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide is a gas that pollutes the air, and is mainly released by cars and other vehicles. It has no colour or smell. Nitrogen oxides Nitrogen oxides are emitted from vehicles, like cars and trucks. During rush hour periods, a lot more is released in the air. Nitrogen oxides are also emitted from power stations. These gases also make acid rain. Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons are produced when petrol is not fully burnt. They are one of the causes of modern-day smog. Particulates Particulates are very small particles, like soot, dust and fumes that are released in the air. They are caused by vehicles, factories and smoke from homes burning coal for heating.

Gases from factories:

Nitrogen Oxides (see above) Sulphur dioxide Sulphur dioxide has no colour. Most of it is released by power stations. It causes acid rain when mixing with water in the air.

AIR POLLUTION INSIDE HOMES We spend a large part of our lives at home and it does not often cross our mind that the air we are breathing may be polluted. Pollution inside homes is called 'indoor air pollution'.

Indoor air pollution is usually very low. But a lot of things can increase it. Fresh paint is a cause of indoor air pollution and so is the burning of fuels such as coal and gas, in heaters, stoves and ovens. But one of the main causes of indoor air pollution is smoking. Smoking cigarettes and tobacco can be very dangerous for health. The poison in the smoke can cause heart problems, lung cancer and other lung diseases. If a woman smokes when she is pregnant, her baby will probably be smaller and become ill. Cigarette smoke is dangerous for people smoking but also for those who do not! Breathing in air, which contains other people's smoke, can cause you the same health problems, for example lung cancer. To reduce 'indoor air pollution', make sure the room is well ventilated while painting. Try ventilating your home often, you can open windows or use a fan. And if your parents or friends smoke, ask them to smoke outside. And best of all NEVER START SMOKING!!!

Go to the next sheet on the Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming.......

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The Earth is wrapped in a blanket of air called the 'atmosphere', which is made up of several layers. About 19-30 kilometres above the Earth is a layer of gas called ozone, which is a form of oxygen. Ozone is produced naturally in the atmosphere.

WHY DO WE HAVE AN OZONE LAYER? The ozone layer is very important because it stops too many of the sun's 'ultraviolet rays' (UV rays) getting through to the Earth - these are the rays that cause our skin to tan. Too much UV can cause skin cancer and will also harm all plants and animals. Life on Earth could not exist without the protective shield of the ozone layer.

WHAT IS THE OZONE HOLE? Every spring, a hole as big as the USA develops in the ozone layer over Antarctica, in the South Pole. A smaller hole develops each year over the Arctic, at the North Pole. And there are signs that the ozone layer is getting thinner all over the planet. Scientists have discovered that the ozone hole over Antarctica started in 1979, and that the ozone layer generally started to get thin in the early 1980s. The loss of the ozone layer occurs when more ozone is being destroyed than nature is creating.

WHAT CAUSES THE OZONE HOLE? One group of gases is particularly likely to damage the ozone layer.

These gases are called CFCs, Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons. CFCs are used in some spray cans to force the contents out of the can. They are also used in refrigerators, air conditioning systems and some fire extinguishers. They are used because they are not poisonous and do not catch fire. Most countries have now stopped using new CFCs that can be released into the atmosphere, but many scientists believe we must stop using old ones as well.

THE OZONE HOLE AND OUR HEALTH The ozone layer is like a sunscreen, and a thinning of it would mean that more ultra-violet rays would be reaching us. Too many UV rays would cause more sunburn, and because sunburn causes skin cancer, this too would increase deaths. These UV rays are also dangerous for our eyes and could cause an increase in people becoming blind. That is why sun cream and sunglasses are very important.

THE OZONE HOLE ON ANIMALS AND PLANTS UV rays can go through water and end up killing small water animals or plants, called 'plankton' which form the base of the food chain in oceans and seas. Whales and other fishes have plankton as their main food, and if plankton die because of these UV rays, whales will start dying too, because they will not have anything to eat. Large amounts of UV rays could damage all green plants. If the ozone layer keeps getting thinner, there could be fewer and fewer plants on Earth, then there would be less food in the whole world.

THE TWO-FACED OZONE GAS Ozone found between 19 and 30 kilometres high in the atmosphere is one of

the reasons why we are alive on Earth. But when the gas ozone is found lower down where we can breathe it in, it becomes very dangerous for our health. This ozone is caused by a reaction between air pollution and sunlight and can cause modern-day smog. This is different to the smog that formed in the early 20th century from smoke and fog.

Go to the next sheet on Doing Your Bit.......

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What can you do: There are many things we can do to help reduce air pollution and global warming. Use buses and trains instead of cars, as they can carry a lot more people in one journey. This cuts down the amount of pollution produced. Walking or cycling will be even better, as it any pollution. It will also be good for your body, as will keep you fit and

whenever you can does not create regular exercise healthy.

If your parents must use the car, ask them to avoid using it for very short journeys if possible, as this creates unnecessary pollution. Try to encourage them to share their journeys with other people, for example when they go to work or go shopping. Also encourage them to drive more slowly as this produces less pollution and less carbon dioxide.

Energy is produced to generate electricity and to keep us warm. Most energy is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas, which release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Fuel burnt in our cars also releases carbon dioxide. As an individual, you do not have a lot of control on how your energy is produced. However, you can control the way in which you use that energy. Using less energy means less of it needs to be produced. So less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. We can also help prevent pollution from our own homes which may contribute to acid rain and poor air quality, and increases emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Turning off lights when they are not needed and not wasting electricity will reduce the demand for energy. Less electricity will need to be produced and so less coal, oil and gas will have to be burnt in power stations, which means less air pollution and less carbon dioxide! Pollution formed indoors can be reduced by ensuring that all gas appliances are working correctly. Good ventilation will improve indoor air quality by dispersing biological pollutants like dust mite, and other pollutants such as cigarette smoke. Most of the rubbish we throw away can be recycled, such as glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminium cans, plastic bottles and waste paper. Recycling used materials uses less energy than making new ones. Composting fruit and vegetable waste reduces the amount of rubbish buried at rubbish dumps.

What are the Governments doing? Governments throughout the world have already taken action for these different environmental problems (i.e. Acid Rain, Air Quality, Ozone Hole, Global Warming). In their plans they hope to reduce the amount of emissions of greenhouse gases produced by man.

About half of the greenhouse effect is caused by our use of energy, especially from fossil fuels. Other sources of energy could be used which do not emit carbon dioxide, e.g. wind power, solar (sun power) and wave power. In the home and at school, we must learn to use energy efficiently and not waste it.

Go to the recycling waste and how to make recycled paper exercises....... There are also lots more games and puzzles to play on this site to help you learn about being kind to out planet's air....

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When nature produces waste, it recycles it all!

Today we produce a lot of rubbish, and most of it ends up under ground. How much of all this waste could be recycled?

Step 1 Look at the content of your rubbish bin, and see what you have thrown away (do it outside on newspaper). Weigh the contents and separate them, e.g. glass, food waste, plastics, textiles, paper and metals.

You should have your parents' permission (or help) before doing this. Wear a pair of washing-up gloves and old clothes. Be very careful with broken glass and sharp edges of cans as you could cut yourself and get infected! Never taste or inhale unknown substances!

Step 2 How much of this rubbish do you think can be recycled or put back into nature's natural cycle? You can contact your local environmental or conservation group for ideas on how you can recycle some of your rubbish. Find out where your nearest recycle centre is! Here are some examples to get you started!

Paper

Many charities and organisations collect old newspaper and magazines to be recycled. You can try and contact those in your area.

There are also recycle bins at supermarkets.

Glass

There should

also be bottle-banks for bottle and jars at your nearest supermarket, or at your nearest recycle centre.

You can ask your local authority about this. There are different colours of glass, make sure

you separate them, and put them in the right recycle bin!

Aluminium cans

Aluminium cans can be washed and crushed and taken to a recycle centre. Again, there should be one at your nearest supermarket, if not, contact your local

authority or look in the yellow pages.

At concerts, fairs, and other events, you could Only aluminium can be recycled not other ones!

be paid for every can you collect! To find out if a can is made of aluminium, use a magnet! Aluminium cans are NOT magnetic, others

are!

Organic Waste

This is anything that will rot (vegetables,

fruits). You can use it as compost for your vegetable garden, and if you do not have one, you can start one!

Plastics

Plastic bottles and

containers are usually all recyclable, you should also be able to find a recycle bin for plastics at your recycle centre.

You can probably crush some of them (some plastic bottles for water have now been designed for this), and then it will take less space in the bin.

You could find out if your council collects them from your house.

Step 3

Hopefully, you should have nothing left. But if you do, it is probably rubbish like chemicals, plastic bags and nonaluminium cans, these cannot be recycled at the moment.

Weigh this waste - the less there is the better! See if you can reduce it in the future, for example, you could start buying products with less packaging or by always taking with you the same bags when you go to the shops.

Go on and make some recycled paper....