Introduction
Particulate matter (PM), also known as particle pollution, is defined as “a complex mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air” (EPA.gov). PM vary in shape, size and origin and can be composed of hundreds of different chemicals. PM such as dust and smoke are large enough to be seen by the naked eye while others are so small they can only be detected through a microscope (EPA.gov). Although PM can enter the atmosphere through direct sources such as fires, most are formed in the air through chemical reactions as a result of pollution emissions. Such pollution emissions can have devastating effects on the environment. Similarly, human inhalation of particle pollution can cause many harmful health effects. This paper will thoroughly analyze particulate matter, identify the
…show more content…
When discussing particle pollution, there are two sources of particles to consider: primary and secondary. Primary sources can cause particle pollution on their own as they are emitted directly from a source such as construction sites (CDC.gov). Secondary sources make up the majority of fine particle pollution however, forming “complicated atmospheric reactions involving chemicals such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides that are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles” (EPA.gov). Particles have the ability to remain in the atmosphere for days or weeks at a time, thus allowing pollution to travel widespread and therefore influencing air quality at an expansive rate. Areas most susceptible to high levels of particle pollution include urban and industrial areas (especially near busy roads), areas where there is smoke in the air from fireplaces, campfires or wildfires and areas where the weather is calm and the air is often stagnant, allowing air pollution to accumulate (EPA.gov). Figure 2 below illustrates concentrations of fine particle pollution in the United
Driving emits particle pollution, which increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer and asthma. Particle pollution is processed in two ways, either mechanical or chemical.
Ultrafine particles can be defined as nano-sized particles which is less than 100nm. However, it is not manufactured purposely and not inevitably exist in a constant size. It is also known to be appeared by friction or combustion process, natural process in the air or water. (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). Besides that, ultrafine particles can be described as the smallest fraction in a scale of airborne particles with diameters ranging from a few nanometers to several nanometers. Even they are small particles in size, they are dominant contributors to particle number even it is capable to contribute little to the mass of particulate matter in ambient air. (Health Effects Institute, 2013). They are also represent about 80% of particles in terms of number concentration in an urban environment (Morawska et al., 1998). There are variety of sources of ultrafine particles. According to Cess et al (2000), the major sources of ultrafine particles is from combustion process which is comprised of vehicle emission, stationary sources fuel combustion, non-highway mobile sources such as diesel off-road vehicles, and other mixed emission from open
There is considerable literature indicating a link between particulate matter and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly individuals (Koken, et al, 2003). Particulate matter defined as any particle that measures less than or equal to ten micrometers (< 10µm PM10) or two point five micrometers(< 2.5µm PM2.5) that form from solid particles and liquid droplets. Most particulate matter forms due to vehicle admissions, industrials processes or wood burnings. Additionally, it has also been suggested that ultra fine particulate matter measuring less than or equal to 2.5 µm is considered more harmful to health than are larger particles in aerodynamic diameter because PM2.5 can penetrate deeper into the lung than PM10 (Park, et al, 2010).
Ostro, B., Chestnut, L. (1998). Assessing the health benefits of reducing particulate matter air pollution in the United States. Environmental Research 76, 94–106.
The lack of storms due to the drought eliminates the natural cleansing effect of precipitation. Low levels of precipitation trap fine particles at ground level. Fine particles in the air are harmful when inhaled and can heighten respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. Air toxics are the chemicals in the air that can cause cancer or serious health problems. Mercury, asbestos, and benzene are dangerous air toxics and diesel exhaust particulate is the number one airborne carcinogen in California (California’s drought, 2015).
The EPA classified the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. region (including Alexandria) as a severe non-attainment area for the 1-hour ozone standard. Particulate matter that remains suspended in the air and consists of solid particles or liquid droplets. PM emissions include everything from carbon to dust. The greatest threat to public health are those particles small enough (PM2.5) to be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lung. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448005/
Ambient air pollution, made of high concentrations of small and fine particulate matter (PMs), is the greatest environmental risk
One of the most dangerous environment issues Southern California is facing today is air pollution. This includes the burning of fossil fuels and natural disasters. Los Angeles is one of the most polluted cities in the world, and the most polluted city in the United States. I will research information about the causes, the effects, and the history of air pollution in the Los Angeles. For my research, I have relied mostly on, the school’s database and library, as well as current events.
Air pollution is caused by many things such as car fumes, burning of fossil fuels,
Today's waters are constantly being treated like sewage dumps or trash cans. We use them as garbage cans every day polluting the water more and more. "Pollution is often by way of rivers, drains and outflow pipes." Causing an outflow of sewage into our ocean waters. This is not only affecting the community but also the marine life and other sea creatures living in the ocean." This pollution includes human sewage and domestic waste water, factory outflows of acids and poisonous metals, engine oil from roadside drains and garages, farm chemicals washed off the land by rain, building-site rubble, nuclear waste from power plants, and oil from wells, refineries, and tankers." Stating that most of today's waste is from factory or factory ran products that shouldn't be polluting the water
...operties. Char is weak light absorption with a strong spectral dependence while Soot is strong light absorption characteristics with little spectral dependence (Han et al., 2010). By the way, Particle matter (PM) was associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Spontaneous Hypertensive Rate was the effect of single intrataracheal of PM2.5, it increased the parasympathetic nervous activity and decreased the heart rate (Ryoko, 2008). PM consists of a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic matter, mineral dust, secondary inorganic aerosols and trace metals, as well as water and unspecified compounds (Katarzyna et al., 2011). In order to avoid the impact negative on public health, climate change and keep an economic growth with acceptable environmental loads, the investigations of emission sources of air pollutants are essentially important.
Air pollution is a type of pollution that can severely damage our environment as well as the earth’s atmosphere. Air pollution occurs all the time when the air contains many substances ...
They also proceed to say that household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires have been found to be the common sources of air pollution with major pollutants being the particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Also some scholars have defined air pollution as the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter and biological materials which can cause damages to humans and other living organisms and also often cause lots of damages to the entire natural environment .It can also be defined as the presence in the outdoor and indoor atmosphere of one or more gaseous or particulate contaminants in quantities, characteristics and of duration such as to be injurious to human, plant or animal life or to property, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property (
Air pollution is a very large problem in bigger cities around the United States of America. In Los Angeles people are at the highest risk of death due to air pollution. Among the most populated areas of the country, Los Angeles had the highest estimated rate of deaths attributable to air pollution. (The Huffington Post 2014) New York City is another huge city that is highly polluted. The death rate due to air pollution is a little smaller in New York than Los Angeles but it is still a huge health risk in New York. Air pollution in New York City is a significant environmental threat which contributes to an estimated 6% of...
What is pollution? Pollution is a detrimental enemy to all species that walk on earth. It is a product of mankind carbon foot print on the environment. It consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. Pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate the natural surrounding; which brings about changes that affect our normal lifestyles adversely. Pollutants are the key elements of pollution which are generally waste materials of dissimilar forms. Pollution disturbs our ecosystem and the balance in the environment. With innovation and development in our lives pollution has reached its peaks; giving rise to global warming and human illness. When raw materials, water, energy and other resources