Air Pollution Basics
Sulfur Pollutants
There are a few types of sulfur gases or pollutants. Sulfur dioxide is considered the most important of all air pollutants. This is because it is completely colorless, but has an very intense taste. At the smallest exposure of sulfur dioxide, a human is capable of being able to taste the bitterness the gas releases. Another sulfur pollutant is hydrogen sulfide. This pollutant contains a foul odor also at low levels of exposure. Once these gases are emitted into the atmosphere, they begin to oxidize with other compounds which then forms sulfate. The process of this varies for the two gases. Sulfur dioxide can travel a far distance and stays in the atmosphere for about four days before it oxidizes, this length also varies on humidity levels, strong ozone, and sunlight. Hydrogen sulfide oxidizes much quicker at a rate of less than a day. Sulfate like ammonium sulfate, contain small particles that cause haze, which can affect the visibility of cities.Fossil fuels cause almost half of the sulfur gases when they are burned. Volcanoes also account for a portion of sulfur gases. Other causes include, manufacturing and agricultural land burning for farming. Our worlds sulfur gas emissions are rapidly increasing. After the Industrial Revolution occurred, several countries created clean air technology to help reduce sulfur emissions. Studies have shown that high levels of sulfur gases can slightly increase respiratory and circulatory diseases, more so to hypersensitive people.
Nitrogen Pollutants
Nitrogen gases include nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide and ammonia; which are considered the most important out of the nitrogen pollutants. Nitric oxide is colorless and odor less. Nitrogen dioxide has a red tint and a pungent odor that can cause irritation to respiratory systems and eyes. Nitrous oxide is colorless and non toxic, it is known as laughing gas and used as a mild anesthetic. Many things can cause nitrogen pollutants. Natural reasons include bacterial denitrification of nitrate soil, lighting, the oxidation of biomass released from fires. Human activity that causes the majority of nitrogen pollutants is from fossil fuels used in cars and power plants. The negative effects of nitrogen pollutants is very mild, it's unlikely to negatively effect vegetation, and is unlikely to cause extreme health effects for humans. If extreme exposure happens, it can cause lung issues.
Hydrocarbon and Volatile Organic Compound Pollutants
Hydrocarbons is an organic compound that occurs from the combination of carbon and hydrogen. Methane is a hydrocarbon and is considered to have a simple structure. Large hydrocarbons have a complex structure that can create gas, liquids or solids. Methane occurs from the fermentation of organic matter and small amounts can come from fossil fuel deposits and wildfires. Human activity that can cause methane is un-burned fuel from planes and cars, fossil fuel mining and the evaporation of solvents. Volatile organic compounds are organic pollutants that contain oxygen, nitrogen and in some cases other light elements like carbon and hydrogen.
(Freedman, Bill)
Comparison of Current AQI:
AQI (air quality index) is an index that helps determine daily air quality. The index is on a 0-500 level, 0 meaning the air is at a peak air quality being the best to breath in due to it being very clean, 500 is the highest and worst level the air quality could be at, it means the air is very polluted and hazardous and can cause extreme breathing issues.
(US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA))
Due to COVID-19, there are far less factors that are causing polluted air than normal. In the evening hour, Tallahassee FL had the highest AQI level at 111. Which is not terrible, it is just barely over the moderate level which ends at 100. The air quality is only unhealthy for sensitive groups of individuals. The forecast for the following day is expected to be at 77 AQI. The PM2.5 was at 30, which was the lowest compared to the other two cities graphed, this level falls into the good category. The ozone levels was at a 44 which also fell into the good category. Overall the air quality was good and had very minimal air pollution.
In my city, San Antonio, the AQI was good during evening time. The forecast for the following day was predicted to also be good. This means the air quality was very clean and not polluted. The PM2.5 was at 33 which falls into the good category. The ozone level was at 51, which is the highest level from the two other cities, this level is considered moderate, it was only 1 point away from being considered good. Overall the air quality of San Antonio was good and had minimal air pollution.
Los Angeles had an AQI of 46 in the evening which is considered good air quality. The AQI forecast for the next day is predicted to be good. The PM2.5 was at 46 - which is higher than the other two cities in the graph, but this level is still considered good. The ozone level was at 41, which is the lowest of the other two cities graphed, this level falls in the good quality. Overall Los Angeles had a good standing air quality and had no extreme pollution.
Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards:
PM2.5 Definition: are very small particles that air contains and are created naturally
- Hazards: When levels are high it is very concerning for individuals health. They particles can be inhaled in the lungs and cause breathing problems, and can effect eyes and cause burning.
O3 Definition: are ozone gases that are composed of oxygen elements. Depending on the O3 levels, determines the level of pollution in the atmosphere. This means that there are good ozone levels and bad ozone levels.
- Hazards: When ozone levels are bad it can cause lung damage. Low levels of ozone pollution can cause coughing and shortness of breath, especially to those that are hypersensitive individuals, like those with asthma.
(Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)
References
Freedman, Bill. Environmental Science: a Canadian Perspective. W. Ross MacDonald School Resource Services Library, 2012
“Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.”Go to TCEQ Web Page, www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi- bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl?user_param=88502.
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019, June 18).Air quality index basics. Air Now. Retrieved fromhttps://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
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