POLLUTION, AEROSOLS AND CLIMATE CHANGELaura MarschkeSouthwest Early College

Pollution

What are we

learning about today?

What is pollution? Air pollutants Where does air pollution come from? Why do we care about pollution?

Health effects Pollution and climate change

Steps to reduce air pollution Colorado’s plans for reducing pollution Do measures to reduce air pollution

actually work? Pittsburgh, Beijing, and London case studies

What is pollution?Pittsburgh, 1940s

Cleveland, 1973NYC, 1970s China, 2012

What is pollution? The introduction of

a contaminant into the environment

Land pollution Littering Sewage Nuclear and

chemical waste

Air pollution Emissions Smoke Acid rain Fumes

Water pollution Pesticides, fertilizers Oil spills Sewage Soaps, antifreeze, oil Household chemicals

Quick facts – air pollution The average adult

consumes 3000 gallons of polluted air every day

Vehicle exhaust contributes to 60% of carbon monoxide emissions in the US (up to 95% in large cities)

London's "Great Smog“ of 1952 was one of the worst air pollution incidents in history Deaths of more than 4,000

died in just six days

Harvard School of Public Health has recently (2010) come up with the data that approximately 4% of all deaths in the US can be attributed to air pollution

Air pollutants Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Carbon monoxide

Nitrogen oxides Sulfur oxides Volatiles organic

compounds (VOCs)

Particulate matter

Where does air pollution come from?

Wood burning Fireplaces Wood stoves Land-clearing fires

Burning toxic substances Garbage Plastics

Air conditioners, refrigerators, fire extinguishers

Fossil fuel burning Cars, trucks, etc Boats Trains Gas-powered tools

Household products Paints Printer ink Hairspray, air fresheners

Stirring up dust Building, driving, any way

we change the landscape

Why do we care about pollution?

Health effects Climate effects

Health effects of small particulates Contain cancer-causing materials Penetrate lungs and collect in air sacs Coughing/wheezing Asthma (onset or increases frequency and/or duration of events) Heart disease Chronic bronchitis Emphysema Pneumonia Premature births/low birth weight

More emergency room visits More hospitalizations More time off of work and school

Example - pneumoconiosis Develops after small

particulates, stay and accumulate inside lungs

A deadly occupational disease which develops over a long period of time Said to be incurable

even with contemporary medicine

Health effects of ground-level ozone

Irritate eyes, nose, and throat Inflammation of lungs and airways Coughing Asthma Bronchitis Chest pain Difficulty breathing Susceptibility to lung disease Damage to lung tissue Premature aging of lungs Contribute to chronic lung disease

Health effects of carbon monoxide This is a poison!!!

Small amounts of CO will cause tiredness and chest pains

Larger amounts impair vision and coordination, triggers headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea

High concentrations – FATAL!

Health effects of other air pollutants

Cancer Low

immunity Disorders of

the nervous system

Interference with child development

And more!

Pollution and climate change Fine particulates

Decrease precipitation downwind

Reduce photosynthetic activity and growth of plants

Can change reflectivity of clouds

Pollution can limit plant productivity and survival

Sulfates and nitrates cause cooling

Regional ozone concentrations will increase

Higher concentrations of ozone increase transpiration and exacerbates tree drought stress Increases vulnerability

to attacks and wildfire

Steps to reduce air pollution Walk or bike more Carpool or use public

transportation Maintain your vehicle Combine errands to

reduce driving Drive smart

Accelerate slowly Drive slower Avoid letting your car

idle

Don’t smoke Avoid using products in

aerosol spray cans Use a push or electric

lawn mower instead of gas-powered

Avoid chemicals or cleaners that emit fumes

Maintain gas appliances and heaters

What is Colorado doing? Must follow Clean Air Act (federal

law)

19 regulations (this is a sample) Particles, smokes, carbon monoxide

and sulfur oxides Odor control Air pollution emission Wood burning controls VOC controls Hazardous air pollutants controls Transportation conformity Motor/diesel vehicle inspection

programs CFC regulations Street sanding and sweeping Acid rain controls Lead based paint controls http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/

A "before and after" shot of St. Louis from the newspaper of the time. Probably inspired many to do the same thing in Pittsburgh.

Does it work?Pittsburgh, 1940s

"A county-wide ordinance was passed in Allegheny County in 1949, after the deadly Donora Fog blanketed a five-state area for five days in 1948. "

Here we can see a half-washed building.

The end result, which is immediately visible even at such a short distance. The air is much cleaner, something that most of us take for granted today. But we shouldn't forget how many people had to fight to get to that point, and how we now have to fight for other things.

Does it work?Beijing, 2008

Before/after in Beijing The Chinese government imposed

new restrictions for air quality before the 2008 Olympic Games

Measures taken Polluting factories closed or

improved Wastewater treated Increased forested areas within

city New public transportation using

updated emission guidelines Old taxis, etc have been replaced Staggered work days to reduce

traffic volumes

The study (about Beijing air quality) was just recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and describes how air pollution can “affect cardiovascular disease mechanisms in healthy, young people.” What a difference ... these photos were taken

just 24 hours apart, on Sunday and yesterday / Pics: Michael Dodge Source: The Daily Telegraph (August 5, 2008)

Does it work?Beijing, 2008

Beijing air quality throughout the Olympics

New research shows that levels of carbon monoxide dropped sharply in the Beijing area between 2007 and 2008, due to traffic restrictions imposed because of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Knowing the levels of carbon monoxide allowed the researchers to infer that carbon dioxide emissions also dropped dramatically.

Does it work?Beijing, 2008

YES

It is feared that the city’s nitrogen oxide and ozone concentrations will negatively affect the 2012 Olympic athletes and the vast number of spectators and tourists in attendance

In addition, legal action (to the British government) for failing to comply with the EU’s January 1, 2010 deadline for fulfilling established air quality plans

“2012 Olympics might

bring the worst air quality

in Europe”

Does it work?London, 2012

http://www.londonair.org.uk

Current maps of London air quality

Aerosols

What are we

learning about today?

What are aerosols? Where do aerosols come from? Why do we care about aerosols?

Health effects of aerosols Climate effects of aerosols

Steps to reduce aerosol emissions

Summary Compare and contrast pollution and

aerosols

What are aerosols? Minute particles

suspended in the atmosphere

They scatter and absorb sunlight

Can be emitted directly (primary) or created through chemistry (secondary)

Act as a site for a chemical reaction to take place Important: destruction

of stratospheric ozone

What are aerosols? Types

Dust Sea salt Sulfates Black carbon Organic matter Nitrates

sea salt dust volcanic ash

Volcanic ash

Pollen Sea salt Soot

Dust

Mainly from deserts Solid particles Mostly natural

Humans contribute from land conversion Albedo is approximately 0.5

Does dust cause cooling or warming? Both

Cooling or warming? Over forest or

water? Cooling

Sand is lighter (higher albedo) than forests or water

Over ice or snow? Warming

Sand is darker (lower albedo) than snow or ice

Sea Salt

Mainly from the oceans Solid particles unless hydrated with water Mostly natural Causes cooling

Sulfates (nitrates are similar)

Secondary emission Produced from

SO2 or DMS Mostly from

humans Fossil fuel

combustion Albedo of 0.99

Does this cause warming or cooling? Cooling

Black carbon Mostly from biomass

burning and fossil fuel combustion

Appears black to the naked eye What would it’s

albedo be? Close to 0

Does this cause warming or cooling? Warming over

snow/ice especially!

Organic Matter Variety of

compounds Natural or from

humans Terpenes from

trees, vegetation

Fossil fuel and biomass burning

Can be primary or secondary emissions

Where do aerosols come from?

Dust Deserts Agriculture

Sea salt Oceans

Sulfates Chemical reaction of

sulfur dioxide Volcanoes Fossil fuel burning Marine plankton

Saharan dust storm off West African coast

Where do aerosols come from?

Black carbon Transportation Fossil fuel burning Cook stoves Biomass burning

Organic matter Biomass burning Fossil fuel burning

Nitrates Chemical reaction of ammonia

and sulfates Agricultural emissions Biomass burning Fossil fuel burning

Where do aerosols come from?

Pale yellow Clear sky Maximum

visibility Dark red-brown

Very hazy conditions

Video of aerosol optical depth over time (1/05 - 6/12)

January 2005

Where do aerosols come from? High concentrations

due to land clearing and agricultural fires (dry seasons) South America

July – Sept Central America

March – May Central and south Africa

June – Sept Southeast Asia

January – April

High concentrations due to dust storms Arabian Peninsula

May – August

High concentrations due to human-produced air pollution Northern India and

Himalayas region Many months

Eastern China Most of the year

Why do we care about aerosols?

Health effects Climate effects

Health effects of aerosols Enhanced

mortality, cardiovascular, respiratory and allergic diseases

Asthma, bronchitis, cancer, etc

Increased lung toxicity

Super-fine particles can travel to respiratory tracts, enter the blood stream and enter the brain

Suppression of defense mechanisms

Video: African Dust, Coral Reefs and Human Health

Aerosols and climate change

Changes in formation of clouds and precipitation Quantity of droplets Size of droplets Changes in

reflectivity

Can inhibit or enhance cloud formation

Aerosols and climate change

Cause warming or cooling Black carbon

Warm Sulfates

Cool

Steps to reduce aerosol emissions

Clean Air Act and other legislation

Scrubbers and filters

Advanced combustion techniques

Sustainable agriculture

Conversion to newer technology Cook stoves, etc

Alternative energy sources

Limiting fossil fuel consumption

Summary: compare and contrast

Contaminant to environment Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxides Sulfur oxides VOCs

Emitted directly into the atmosphere

Moderate to severe health effects

Generally cause cooling

Suspended particulate matter Dust Sea salt Sulfates Black carbon Organic matter Nitrates

Emitted directly or secondary after chemical reaction

Moderate to severe health effects

Cause warming or cooling

Pollution Aerosols

Sources http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/individual-pollution.html http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/pollution-climate-causes.html http://www.bcairquality.ca/health/air-quality-and-health.html http://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/english/hep.htm http://www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/pollution http://pollutionarticles.blogspot.com/2010/05/air-pollution-interesting-facts.html http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/ http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/regoverview.html http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/environmental-policy/think-air-quality-regulations-dont-matter-look-pittsburgh-1940s/ http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/olympics-is-the-air-in-beijing-safe.html http://www.examiner.com/article/2012-olympics-might-bring-the-worst-air-quality-europe http://www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/Default.aspx http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/athletes-warned-poison-fog-a-killer/story-e6freuy9-1111117108157 http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/topics/air-pollution.shtml http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/24si.pdf http://www.wsl.ch/dienstleistungen/publikationen/pdf/8915.pdf http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/2011/report/climatechange.pdf http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/Aerosols.html http://www.eoearth.org/article/Aerosols http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/pdf/TAR-05.PDF http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Aerosols/ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/GlobalMaps/view.php?d1=MODAL2_M_AER_OD http://gallery.usgs.gov/videos/223#.UA7cfqAWqLI http://atmo.tamu.edu/class/atmo689-gs/lectureweek10/aerosolreview.pdf http://icp.giss.nasa.gov/research/ppa/2001/2001_cross_etal.pdf http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/factsheets/howhuman.pdf http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/aerosols-and-global-warming-faq.html https://www2.ucar.edu/atmosnews/news/7535/reducing-traffic-2008-olympics-yielded-large-cut-co2 Also, special thanks to Jason English at UCAR for some images and information used in this power point

Image Sources http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/environmental-policy/think-air-quality-regulations-dont-matter-look-pittsburgh-1940s/ http://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/what-us-would-look-without-environmental-protections-photos.html http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2012/02/06/Pollution-takes-heavy-toll-on-China/UPI-54311328532657/ http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/galleries/g/13928432/mystery-smog-shrouds-chinese-city/13928433/ http://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/english/particulaterespirators/hep1.jpg http://www.lbamspray.com/00_Images/particle_pollution.jpg http://www.sbcapcd.org/images/sbcapcdParticleSize600.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1p20WdeXKKs/TQDMQ8C1-rI/AAAAAAAAKUM/Ob4xKgpLSFM/s1600/Ozone.jpg http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/construction/buildingservices/EMS/PublishingImages/OZONE4.jpg http://web.creativetime.org/system/programs/images/182/original/1990_-_Carbon_Monoxide.jpg http://www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/images/image001.jpg http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/pilot/danger_in_air/pollutants.html http://www.wunderground.com/health/pollutiondeaths.jpg http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2008/08/04/1111117/108179-china-olympics-pollution.jpg http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Aerosols/ http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/globalmaps/data/mov/MODAL2_M_AER_OD.mov http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130/notes/chapter16/aerosols.html http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/dust-images.html http://www.earthbeatradio.org/images/oceanW.jpg http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/home/accomp/aero_force.gif http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/images/diesel_smoke_big_sm.jpg http://www.climate.org/publications/Climate%20Alerts/Autumn2009/images/Figure4_000.jpg http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2012/02/20120216-bangladesh-cooking.jpg.492x0_q85_crop-smart.jpg http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/sustain-farm-ghg-emissions.jpg http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Aerosols/page3.php http://atmos.caf.dlr.de/projects/scops/sciamachy_book/sciamachy_book_figures/chapter_10/fig_10_16.jpg

Sea salt image – Tiyani Fan, graduate student at the University of Colorado Black carbon image – Pengfei Yu, graduate student at the University of Colorado