The normal composition of the air includes:78,09% nitrogen, 20,95% oxygen, 0,92% argon and 0,03 % CO2.This gas mixion represents 99,99% of the air composition.The rest ,about 0,01% is made of other gases as Ne,He,etc.Their is also added a variety of water.
Sanitary speaking it represents a changing between the oxygen and the CO2 concentration, solutions with an important part in the exchange of gases inside the lungs.
The atmosphere pollution involves the growing of chemical solutions which are bad for living organisms.
The atmosphere polution can also affect the marine and terrestrial echosistems if the polutioners spread in water or come as rains.
It's considered that the atmosphere polution contributes anualy with aproximatly 120.000 deaths in the USA. Each year the development of industry generates billions of tones of poluent materials.
The primary polutioners are the atmosphere ones growed directly in the atmosphere, for example the soot particles, SO2 and NO.
The secondary polutioners are made of reactions between the primary ones. CO and NO are the main polutioners made from the burnings of combustible. The soot and SO2 are primary polutioners made from the burnings of fossil combustible in the energetic power stations as petroleum and coal. Each year over one billion tones of these materials get in the atmosphere composition.
An important significance in industry and transports is based on fossil combustible. During the consum of these combustible there are chemical particles expelled in the atmosphere. Eventhought a large amount of chemicals contributes on atmosphere pollution, most of them include C, S, N. The burning of C, of petroleum and benzenium is responsible for most of the atmosphere polutioners. A large amount of pollution material in the atmosphere made by the USA are products of fossil combustible and electrical power stations. Other poluent materials can have their source of emition the metal industry and the combustible refineries. These chemicals make a bound between them and also with solar radiuses with dangerous intensity.
An automobile can consume, the oxygen quantity necessary for a grown-up in year, on 1000 Km. A turboreactor with four engines consumes between New York and Paris about 35 tones of oxygen. This is the quantity a 3000 ha forest makes in one day.
A considerable influence on the polutioners spread in the air is owned by the meteorological fenomena, as the termical stratification of the air, the wind, and the rain.
Panait C
9A grade, Carmen Sylva High School
 | Air pollution |  |
Toxic air pollutants, also known as hazardous air pollutants, are those pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental effects. EPA is working with state, local, and tribal governments to reduce air toxics releases of 188 pollutants to the environment.
Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene, which is found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, which is emitted from some dry cleaning facilities; and methylene chloride, which is used as a solvent and paint stripper by a number of industries. Examples of other listed air toxics include dioxin, asbestos, toluene, and metals such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead compounds.
People exposed to toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations and durations may have an increased chance of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health effects. These health effects can include damage to the immune system, as well as neurological, reproductive (e.g., reduced fertility), developmental, respiratory and other health problems.
In addition to exposure from breathing air toxics, some toxic air pollutants such as mercury can deposit onto soils or surface waters, where they are taken up by plants and ingested by animals and are eventually magnified up through the food chain. Like humans, animals may experience health problems if exposed to sufficient quantities of air toxics over time
Most air toxics originate from human-made sources, including mobile sources (e.g., cars, trucks, buses) and stationary sources (e.g., factories, refineries, power plants), as well as indoor sources (e.g., some building materials and cleaning solvents). Some air toxics are also released from natural sources such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires.
Once toxic air pollutants enter the body, some persistent toxic air pollutants accumulate in body tissues. Predators typically accumulate even greater pollutant concentrations than their contaminated prey. As a result, people and other animals at the top of the food chain who eat contaminated fish or meat are exposed to concentrations that are much higher than the concentrations in the water, air, or soil.
Ozone depletion
Stratospheric ozone depletion is a concern because the ozone layer in the stratosphere keeps 95-99% of the suns ultraviolet radiation from striking the earth. A number of consequences can result from increased levels of UV(ultraviolet radiation) striking the earth, including: genetic damage, eye damage and damage to marine life. Increased UV radiation in the lower atmosphere, called the troposphere, can result in increased amounts of photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is already a health hazard in many of the world's largest cities.
The decrease of stratospheric ozone was first reported in 1974 and the decrease was quickly linked to the increasing presence of a class of manmade compounds called CFC's or Chlorofluorocarbons. Many countries of the world have moved to reduce the use of CFC's but because of the slow rate of air mixing between the lower and upper atmosphere it is theorized that stratospheric CFC's will stay at a significant level well into the next century.
Stratospheric ozone depletion has become very much a controversial political and economic issue as well as a complex scientific issue. Major and minor sources of chlorine, and factors which affect ozone levels are still being sorted out among a great deal of media-generated excitement and misinformation; but the link between CFC's and Ozone depletion, and the major factors creating the antarctic ozone hole, are considered by most researchers to be well established facts.
Scientific models of the atmosphere are being constructed in order to assist scientists in looking for other factors in Ozone depletion, evaluate their importance and predict what may happen to our atmosphere in the future.
Greenhouse Effect
The Earth is kept warm by its atmosphere, which acts rather like a woolly coat - without it, the average surface temperature would be about -18 degrees Centigrade. Heat from the sun passes through the atmosphere, warming it up, and most of it warms the surface of the planet. As the Earth warms up, it emits heat in the form of infra-red radiation - much like a hot pan emits heat even after it's taken away from the cooker. Some of this heat is trapped by the atmosphere, but the rest escapes into space. The so-called "greenhouse gases" make the atmosphere trap more of this radiation, so it gradually warms up more than it should, like a greenhouse (although a greenhouse actually does this by stopping warm air rising and escaping from it).
There are some natural greenhouse gases: water vapour, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. However, over the past fifty years, production of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane has risen sharply, and a new type of chemical - the chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC - has been introduced as a refrigerant, solvent and aerosol propellant, but it is also a very powerful greenhouse gas, because it can trap a lot of radiation - one molecule of CFC is 12,000 to 16,000 times as effective at absorbing infra-red radiation as a molecule of carbon dixide
The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted that this rise of one degree will happen by the year 2025. This could potentially cripple the North American corn belt, which produces much of the world's grain, leading to much higher food prices, and even less food for the Third World than they already have. However, it would also mean that some countries which are further north would be able to grow crops they had never been able to before, although there is less land as you move north from the corn belt.
Ignat C
9A grade
| Air pollution | |
The air is composed by O2 (the most of it), CO2, N and other gases. It is important for the entire nature, fauna and the human rase.
Factorys without filtration instalations pollute the air with the smoke that gets out from the chimneys. Other elements that pollute the air are the smoke from the vehicles, cigarrtes or the householder's smoke. Because of the air pollution some deseases like astm, anemia and ulcer can apear.
Industrial cities and localitys are permanently surrounded by smoke, soot and poyson gases. In this polluted environment plantes lose the green power of their leafes and don't develop any more. Birds leave the polluted zones, humans suffer because of the pollution being difficult for them to breathe, they are more tired than usually, anemia and some serious deseases can apear very easy.
Besides the other sources of pollution of the air, there are some very important factors like S, C, N, mineral pollutants, powders, radioactive substances or bacterian dust.
From this pollutants, CO is the most known air pollutant. It comes approximate 60 percents from vehicles that use as fuel gasoline and Diesel oil, and the rest from sigerurgic and petrochemical industries.
The air
The air, as the wather is one of the environment's components, that is necessary for humans, plants and animals. The oxigen from the air is absolutely necessary for our life. Because of it both plants and animals can breathe.
In big, industrial cities, the air can be very polluted by the vehicle's and factory's smoke, scraps and other pollutant factors. All this pollutant factors are very dangerous for humans. Because of the polluted air it is difficult for us to breath, and we are tired all the time.
Humans can stop the air pollution and can make things better by preventing the polluation actions. To do this humans have to permanently controle the environment's factors. The environment's protection is regulated by laws.
In all the world are international organizations, and in our country there are services that control and protect the environment's factors.
KEEP IN MIND !
Clean water and air are important for the life of animals, humans and plants.
All humans have to protect and respect their country's laws to keep the world clean.
Air's quality can be improved by planting more trees.
The smoke that gets out from the factory's chimneys reduces air's quality.
In a city if the number of vehicles is changing, the quality of the air becomes worst.
Air you classes room and your bedroms.
How to prevent air pollution
To stop air pollution, it exist some norms that show the maxim concentration of pollutants that should exist in the air and for this to be respected, some laws were made.
The most important ways to prevent air pollution are : the use of a nonpolluate technology, use the polluate elements in appropriate areas and the use of instalations that clean the air.
Meteorology and health effects
Pollutant concentration is reduced by atmospheric mixing, which depends on such weather conditions as temperature, wind speed, and the movement of high and low pressure systems and their interaction with the local topography, for example, mountains and valleys. Normally, temperature decreases with altitude. But when a colder layer of air settles under a warm layer, producing a temperature or thermal inversion, atmospheric mixing is retarded and pollutants may accumulate near the ground. Inversions can become sustained under a stationary high-pressure system coupled with low wind speeds.
Periods of only three days of poor atmospheric mixing can lead to high concentrations of hazardous materials in high-pollution areas and, under severe conditions, can result in injury and even death. An inversion over Donora, Pennsylvania, in 1948 caused respiratory illness in over 6,000 people and led to the deaths of 20. Severe pollution in London took 3,500 to 4,000 lives in 1952 and another 700 in 1962. Release of methyl isocyanate into the air during a temperature inversion caused the disaster at Bhopal, India, in December 1984, with at least 3,300 deaths and more than 20,000 illnesses. The effects of long-term exposure to low concentrations are not well defined; however, those most at risk are the very young, the elderly, smokers, workers whose jobs expose them to toxic materials, and people with heart or lung disease. Other adverse effects of air pollution are injury to livestock and crops.
Often, the first noticeable effects of pollution are aesthetic and may not necessarily be dangerous. These include visibility reduction due to tiny particles suspended in air, or bad odours, such as the rotten egg smell produced by hydrogen sulphide emanating from pulp and paper mills.
Zamfir Irina
9A grade
| Air pollution | |
The air which we breathe it is a part of atmosphere, the blend of gas what covers the earthly ball. This blend of gas assures the life on earth and protects us of harmful ray ale sun. Atmosphere is maintained by gravitation, thus which cannot spread in the space. Atmosphere is mature from 10 different gases, in the most part from nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). That 1% remained is mature from argon, CO2, helium and neon. All these gas are neutral, and they don't react with other substances.
The natural equilibrium of air gases which maintained for millions of years, is menaces now of the man activity.
Through his activity but not only the man menaces the air safety.
Here several of the ways which the man is menacing the existence on Earth:
* Physic Pollution: It's generated of diverse radiation, especially of one nuclear accidental, one the thermal, noise and infra-sound.
* Biologic Pollution: It's created by microbiological contaminations, as an abusive entered or accidental of a species varieties or species.
* Chemical Pollution: Very diverse, he can be provoked of natural product, organic or mineral, as the substance of synthesis, which is initially in nature. Is produced with:
-derives of carbon and liquid hydrocarbons.
-derive of the sulphurs and nitrogen.
-derive of the difficult metals ( Pb, Cr).
-derive of the fluorine.
-plastic materials.
In last 200 of years, the global industrialization got to the disorder report of gases, necessary for the air equilibrium. Burn the coals and gas goes to the formation of enormous amounts of oxide of carbon and another gases, chiefly after appeared to the car to the beginning of centuries.
The hothouse effect
Existing gas in atmosphere must keep the heat produced by solar ray reflected by the earth surface. Without this, Earth would be so cold that the ocean will freeze and the creatures wouldn't survive. But of cause of pollution the proportion the "hothouse gases"is increasing then he is restrained too much heat and whole earth becomes else warm.For this reason in this century, global temperature scaled up with a half of degree and is estimated as up until to half of XXI centuries, this breed arrives at 1,5 - 4,5 Celsius degrees. From this cause, the number of those who suffer from thoracic affections, special in kid's row and old people, it is in continuous breed like the cases of skin cancer.
The holes of ozone layer
The holes in the layer of ozone were signalized for first time in the 1985 by the scientist's people who worked in Antarctic. Unfortunately, ten years late, in 1995 was noticed that above Antarctic and North Europe were holes in the layer of ozone. This phenomenon is produced due to facts as the in atmosphere is eliminated the big amounts of hydrocarbons but and another substance harmful to layer of ozone. In whole world are started campaigns which try making the governments to abandon the destruction of equatorial forests. A thing is certain: In our days we cannot expect to breathe fresh air. Freons were drubbed out of the industrial process, pursuant to pressure made by the public opinion, they being replaced by another substance. Atmosphere is in danger, pursuant it's an danger for whole the world. We must learn to protect our environment, as much for our health, quotient and for the health what surround us, because WE HAVE ONLY ONE EARTH!
Dutescu Marius
9A grade
| Air pollution | |
Your home is your castle. A safe haven sheltered from the worries of the outside world. Or is it?
It turns out that our homes (and many other buildings) are major sources of indoor air pollution -- much of which is hazardous to your health.
Indoor air pollution has increased during the last couple of decades, partly because of our energy consciousness. We seal up our homes and offices tightly against the heat and cold. In addition, the products, furnishings and construction materials we use today are much more likely to discharge toxic substances into the air.
What Are the Pollutants?
Some of these substances are no mystery. We know what harm carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke, radon and asbestos can do. Others indoor pollutants are substances that are new or whose effects are less well-known. Hundreds of chemicals commonly found in the home may harm humans in ways we do not yet understand. We also do not know exactly what happens when some of these chemicals combine and form new substances in an enclosed environment. The dismal results of this increasing problem include cancer, asthma, poisoning, (such as lead and pesticide poisoning), viral and bacterial infections, allergies, headaches and a host of other mental and physical ailments.
Don't Leave Civilization Just Yet
Before you pack up and move into a tent, there are plenty of things you can do to improve air quality inside your home. Many of these things can be done relatively cheaply, although they may take considerable time and effort. You should also be aware that some of the everyday household products you use may be contributing to the problem. Look for less toxic products. When you must use things like pesticides and solvents, read the label carefully, use exactly as directed and try to air out your home afterward.
The first step toward improving indoor air quality is detecting pollution problems and finding their source. You may find that the solutions are as simple as increasing ventilation, properly venting your stove, having your furnace serviced or your ducts cleaned. Some solutions will be more complex
Tunescu
9A grade
| Air pollution | |
Problem: The first thing people see, in the morning, when they walk outside is the sky or the colored sun. Is this world giving us the privilege of seeing the natural colors of the sun through all the layers of pollution within the air ? Not only are beautiful sights such as this hidden behind the pollution this world causes everyday, but an increase in diseases, infections and death occurs.
What causes pollution? What can we do to prevent it, and get rid of it? Is it fair to the children of the future to have to suffer the consequences that pollution causes? Why not take care of the problem now? Factory and business owners have the ability to prevent air pollution. Air pollution is the presence in the atmosphere of harmful gases, liquids, or solids. Air pollution, known as smoke pollution for many years, resulted from coal combustion.Smog has been a problem in coal-burning areas for several centuries. Smog finally decreased when coal combustion was replaced by oil and gas combustion. Air pollution is caused by a number of different types of pollutants. The first type, particulate matter, consists of solid and liquid aerosols suspended in the atmosphere. These arise from the burning of coal and from industrial processes. Atmospheric particles can scatter and absorb sunlight which reduces visibility. Particles also reduce visibility by attenuating the light from objects and illuminating the air causing the contrast between the objects and their backgrounds to reduce. Not only does it effect visibility, but it hastens the erosion of building materials and the corrosion of metals, interferes with the human respiratory system, and brings toxic materials into the body. The small particles cause chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema and lung cancer. The second type is sulfur oxides which come from the burning of coal and industrial processes. Damage to materials, to vegetation, and to the human respiratory system are caused by the acid nature of oxides. Small quantities of sulfur oxides can increase illness and mortality. The third type of pollutant is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas against which humans have no protection. Carbon monoxide comes from the exhaust of gasoline-powered vehicles and secondarily from industrial processes Hemoglobin, which is in the blood, combines with carbon monoxide and carries less oxygen to body tissues causing health and heart effects. Some health problems come from the exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the automobile.
How Do I Keep My Indoor Air Clean? Nine Tips to Keep Your Indoor air Clean
The quality of the air we breathe, both indoors and out, has a great impact on lung health. Lung tissue is easily damaged by pollutants in the air, resulting in increased risk of asthma and allergies, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and other lung diseases.
1) Declare your home a smoke-free zone. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems, especially for children. Ask smokers to take it outside.
2) Good ventilation reduces indoor air pollution. Leave doors between rooms open most of the time for better air circulation. Open windows when possible to allow for a good supply of outdoor air. Install exhaust fans in bathrooms to remove moisture and chemicals from the house.
3) Keep humidity levels low with a dehumidifier or air conditioner, as needed. Clean both regularly so they don't become a source of pollutants themselves. Fix all leaks and drips in the home, as standing water and high humidity encourages the growth of mold and other biological pollutants.
4) To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, have all fuel burning appliances inspected by a qualified technician once a year. Install a carbon monoxide detector near your sleeping rooms.
5) To keep dust mites and other allergens to a minimum, clean regularly. Wash bedding materials in hot water (at least 130°). Consider replacing carpet with area rugs that can be taken up and washed often.
6) Fit your gas range with a hood fan that exhausts the air outside. Use the fan or open a window when cooking to remove gas fumes.
7) Check commercial cleaning products and pesticides for toxic ingredients, and use according to manufacturers directions. Keep your home well ventilated when using these products. Consider switching to less toxic alternatives.
9) Never leave a car or lawn mower running in an attached garage or shed. Avoid the use of unvented heaters or charcoal grills indoors.
Olteanu Cristina
9A grade
http://www.lefo.ro/swea/airpollution2.htm
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