Activity 3.3.1 Air Pollution Core Activity

 Air Pollution Basics


Air pollution is defined as gaseous air pollutants emitted from natural sources as well as anthropogenic (man made) sources into the atmosphere. All air pollutants affect air quality and can affect the quality of life for people and animals in areas affected by it, including causing or exacerbating disease, and in extreme cases causing death by suffocation. Some examples of natural sources of air pollution are fires (which produce carbon dioxide and release soot into the atmosphere) and volcanoes. Man made emissions from industrial processes have increased dramatically since the 1900s and are potentially greater than natural forms of pollution (Freeman).


Sulfur Pollutants: One of the most important pollutants to be aware of is sulfur pollutants, specifically Sulfur dioxide or SO2, which can come from volcanoes and fires, but also from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil. This is a pollutant that is toxic to plants, animals, and humans (Freeman). 


Nitrogen Pollutants: Nitrogen pollutants also come from both natural and man made processes. More specifically, the most important of the nitrogen-containing pollutants are nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and ammonia. The concerns surrounding nitrogen gasses are related to photochemical reactions that produce ozone, which is a more toxic gas (Freeman). 


Hydrocarbon and Volatile Organic Compound Pollutants: 

Hydrocarbons are chemicals that contain various concentrations of hydrogen and carbon. Volatile organic compounds contain hydrogen and carbon but they can also contain other elements like nitrogen and oxygen. Most emissions of hydrocarbons and VOCs come from organic matter fermenting, and smaller amounts come from animals digesting food, burning fossil fuels, and wildfires (Freeman).


Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index measures the quality of the air in an area as it relates to the amount of pollutants that can be detected at a given time. This is measured by the PPM (parts per million) of different pollutants, such as ozone, NO2, and CO, in air samples. 


Comparison of Current AQI

 

Time of Day

AQI Current

AQI Forecast

PM2.5

O3

Gering, NE (highest)

2:00 pm

179

Not Available

179

179

San Antonio, TX (Where I Live)

2:00 pm

20

Moderate

20

20

Los Angeles, CA

2:00 pm

48

Moderate

48

35


Source: airnow.gov, https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Los%20Angeles&state=CA&country=USA


As of this writing, Gering, NE, has the worst AQI in America. It has the highest PM 2.5 and O3 measurements, and an overall AQI rating of 179. This is considered unsafe for vulnerable populations and it is recommended that people stay indoors and keep strenuous activity to a minimum. Los Angeles currently has a much lower AQI at 48, and San Antonio’s is even lower at 20. Los Angeles and San Antonio both have “good” air quality ratings, meaning that even vulnerable populations don’t have to worry about participating in outdoor activities. 

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

10.0 µg/m3

2:30 pm

O3

Average measured over 8 hours - 70 ppb (137 µg/m3)

21 ppb

2:30 pm


Source: tceq.texas.gov, https://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl?user_param=88502


PM2.5 is particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 micrometers. This measurement is used to determine how much of a pollutant is available in an air sample, and is used to measure the size of a “dose” that is received by an organism exposed to the pollutant in question. O3 is the most damaging of the photochemical air pollutants. This is a pollutant that is not actually emitted from a natural or man-made process, but is a byproduct of a chemical process that happens when other gasses combine and react with one another (Freeman).


Works cited

 

Freedman, B. (2018). Environmental science: A Canadian perspective. Halifax, Canada: Dalhousie University Libraries.


US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019, June 18).Air quality index basics. Air Now. https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi


Texas commission on environmental quality “ Latest hourly Pm-2.5 levels” (2021) 

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl?user_param=88502 


Texas commission on environmental quality “Current ozone 1-hour levels” (2021)

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl 

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