Air
Section #2:Air, Noise, & Light Pollution
Air Pollution
• can cause serious health problems to the very old, the very young, & those with heart or lung problems
• research has shown more links to air pollution & diseases
• Americans pay tens of billions in healthcare costs related to respiratory diseases caused by air pollution
Short-Term Health Effects
of Air Pollution• headaches• nausea• irritation to the eyes, nose, & throat• tightness in the chest• coughing• upper respiratory infections (bronchitis &
pneumonia)• makes asthma & emphysema worse• these are reversible is exposure decreases
Long-Term Health Effectsof Air Pollution
• emphysema• lung cancer• heart disease• damage to the lungs of children• may worsen medical conditions of
the elderly
Police Officer Wearing a Smog Mask in Bangkok,
Thailand
Indoor Air Pollution
•sometimes the quality of air inside a home or building is worse than the air outside
•plastics & other industrial chemical are major sources, like those found in carpets, building materials, paints, & furniture (esp. when new)
Indoor Air Pollution
•identifying & removing the sources of indoor air pollution is the most effective way to maintain good indoor air quality
•ventilation is key & should be increased during times such as renovating & painting
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
Sick-Building Syndrome
•most common in hot places where buildings are tightly sealed to keep out the heat
•people can develop allergic reactions to fungi (mold & mildew) that grow in the air-conditioning ducts, ceiling tiles, carpets, & furniture
Radon Gas
•a colorless, tasteless, & odorless gas that is radioactive
•occurs naturally In Earth’s crust from the radioactive decay of uranium
•can seep through cracks & holes in the foundations of homes & businesses, & schools
Radon Gas
•the gas adheres to dust particles that are inhaled & enters the lungs
•here, radon destroys the genetic material in cells that line the air passages, leading to lung cancer
•people who smoke are especially susceptible
Radon Detecto
r
Asbestos
• minerals that form long, thin fibers
• valued for their strength & resistance to hear
• used primarily as an insulator & as a fire retardant
• used extensively in building materials
• banned in early 1970s
Asbestos
• exposure is dangerous• fibers that are inhaled can cut &
scar the lungs, causing the disease asbestosis
• victims have more & more difficulty breathing, may eventually die of heart failure
• billions of dollars have been spent to remove asbestos from school buildings across the U.S.
Asbestos Removal
Noise Pollution
• any unnecessary sound• a pollutant that affects human
health & the quality of human life• airplanes, construction equipment,
city traffic, factories, home appliances, lawnmowers, etc.
• underwater noises also disrupt the ability of marine mammals to navigate & communicate
Health Problems from Noise Pollution
•loss of hearing•high blood pressure•stress•can cause loss of sleep which
can lead to decreased productivity at work or in the classroom
Measuring Noise Pollution
• the intensity of sound is measured in units called decibels (dB)
• the quietest sound that a human ear can hear is represented by 0 dB
• each increase represents a decibel level that is 10 times higher than the previous level
• a sound of 120 dB is a the threshold of pain & can result in permanent deafness
Intensity of
Common Noises
Light Pollution
•unlike air & noise pollution, light pollution does not present a direct hazard to human health but it does negatively affect our environment
•in urban areas, inefficient lighting diminishes the view of the night sky & is a waste of energy
•it also affect nocturnal animals
Light Pollution
•for example – lighting that is directed upwards into the night sky is lost to space
•this comes from billboards, signs that are lit from below, lighting of a buildings exterior, & street lights of poor quality
Controlling Light Pollution
•shield lights so the light is directed downwards
•use time controls so that light is used only when needed
•use low-pressure sodium sources which are the most energy–efficient source of light
