Activity 3.3.1 Air Pollution Core Activity

         Air Pollution Basics

We are exposed to air pollution every day from various sources (Freedman, Pg.366). Things such as CO2 emissions cars or pollution from overall industrialization. This all began with the industrial revolution around 1750 when coal became the one of the major fuel sources (Freedman, Pg 366). This led to an increase in sulfur dioxide emissions. Air pollution is strongest in atmospheres that are almost stagnant (Freedman, 366). This happens when two separate layers of air, a cool layer is trapped by an underlying hot layer of air (Freedman, Pg. 366). This prevents the two layers from mixing. Keeping polluted air closer to the surface. This is what we think of when we think of smog filled cities from olden times. Especially when considering periods in history such as the industrial revolution. This would cause various respiratory illnesses and even death. In the scientific community this stirred up actions such as switching from coal to natural gas and the creation of smokestacks to dispel the emissions over a broader area so that it would not sit as closely to ground level (Freedman, Pg.367). Another concern that has come up is oxidizing smog where chemicals such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides change into other gases that can irritate the respiratory system and eyes (Freedman, Pg.367). 

 Comparison of Current AQI

	Time of Day	AQI Current	AQI Forecast	PM2.5	O3
Grand Rapids, Michigan           (highest)	8:00 pm	68	Moderate	68	21
San Antonio, Tx	8:00 pm	35	Good	13	35
Los Angeles, CA	8:00 pm	43	125	43	41

 Comparison of Current PM2.5/03

National Standard	San Antonio Current measured over 1 hour	Time of Day
PM2.5 Average measured over 24 hours - 35 μg/m3	3.7 µg/m3	8:00 pm
O3 Average measured over 8 hours - 70 ppb (137 µg/m3)	47 ppb	8:00 pm

    Looking at these tables we that the AQI's for San Antonio and Los Angeles are relatively similar, with Grand Rapids being quite different. San Antonio and Los Angeles are both in the good category. Looking at their AQI's the two cities they are in close range of each other. But San Antonio's is lower and is PM 2.5 is also much lower. 

    Looking at Grand Rapids AQI it is quite a bit higher than our two previous cities. Grand Rapids is in the moderate category. It's PM 2.5 is also much higher despite its O3 sitting lower than both San Antonio and Los Angeles.  

Sulfur Pollutants

Sulfur pollutants can be described as a colorless dense gas. It is the most predominant gaseous air pollutant (Freedman, Pg.367). Sulfur is the smell you contribute to smelling like rotten eggs. When it joins with the atmosphere it becomes oxidized and creates sulfate. It will typically reside in the air for approximately four days (Freedman, Pg.367). 

Nitrogen Pollutants

Some of the most important of the nitrogen-containing gasses are nitrogen dioxide and ammonia (Freedman, Pg.373). Ammonia is "...produced during the anaerobic decomposition of dead biomass" (Freedman, Pg.374). It resides in the atmosphere for approximately seven days (Freedman, Pg.374). 

Hydrocarbon and Volatile Organic Compound Pollutants

Hydrocarbons can be described as various combinations of chemicals containing hydrogen and carbon atoms with the simplest being methane (Freedman, Pg.374). This can be produced by a fermentation process of organic matter, but small amounts can be released from the different types of burnings such as wildfires or from farm animals as they digest their food (Freedman, Pg.375). Some examples of chemicals contained in Volatile organic compounds are chemical compounds such as " oxygen, nitrogen, and other light elements in addition to carbon and hydrogen, and include alcohols, aldehydes, and phenols" (Freedman, Pg.374). 

Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards

PM 2.5 is fine particles that reside in the air in the form of droplets (Department of Health, n.d.). 

O3 is associated with our ozone. 

The health hazards of PM 2.5 and O3 

PM 2.5 is attributed with eye nose and throat irritation (Department of Health, n.d.). 03 is attributed with the same irritations. 

Works Cited: 

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

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://gispub.epa.gov/airnow/.

“System Alerts.” AirNow.gov, https://www.airnow.gov/?city=San+Antonio&state=TX&country=USA.

“System Alerts.” AirNow.gov, https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Los+Angeles&state=CA&country=USA.

“Live Animated Air Quality Map (AQI, PM2.5...): IQAir.” Empowering the World to Breathe Cleaner Air, https://www.iqair.com/us/air-quality-map.

“Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.” Go to TCEQ Web Page, https://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl?user_param=88502.

“Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.” Go to TCEQ Web Page, https://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl.

ArcGIS Web Application, https://tceq.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ab6f85198bda483a997a6956a8486539.

“Department of Health.” Fine Particles (PM 2.5) Questions and Answers, https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm#:~:text=Fine%20particulate%20matter%20(PM2.5,hazy%20when%20levels%20are%20elevated.