WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?
Air
pollution is
the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials
into the Earth's atmosphere, possibly causing disease,
death to humans, damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or
the natural or built environment.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION?
Acid Rain
-A form of
precipitation that contains high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids, can
contaminate drinking water and vegetation, damage aquatic life, and erode
buildings.
Holes In The Ozone Layer
-This can increase the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the
earth, where it damages crops and plants and can lead to skin cancer and cataracts. This
depletion has been caused largely by the emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
from refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosols. The Montreal Protocol of
1987 required that developed nations signing the accord not exceed 1986 CFC
levels. Several more meetings were held from 1990 to 1997 to adopt agreements
to accelerate the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances.
Health Effects Caused By Air Pollution
- Loss of lung capacity.
- Decreased lung
function.
- Development of
diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.
- Shortened life span.
- Accelerated aging of the lungs.
Source: Infoplease.com
CAUSE OF AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is caused mainly by
Transportation, fuel combustion in stationary sources, burning of fossil fuels
like coal, wood, dry grass, and construction activity. Motor vehicles produce
high levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC) and Nitrogen Oxides
(NO).
HOW TO PREVENT AIR
POLLUTION?
- Conserve energy – remember to turn off lights, computers, and electric appliances when not in use.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.
- Participate in your local utility’s energy conservation programs.
- Limit driving by carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking.
- Combine errands for fewer trips.
- Keep your automobile well tuned and maintained. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance, such as changing the oil and filters, and checking tire pressure and wheel alignment.
- Avoid excessive idling of your automobile.
What I think…
We should
all do our part in taking care of mother earth. We should be thankful for the
world we live in and we must take care of it. We must find ways on how to
prevent pollution which is damaging our planet. One of the worst pollution is
the air pollution. We can all prevent it in our own little ways like limiting the
use of our cars and use bicycles instead. Let us all help save mother earth.
AIR POLLUTION FROM FIREWORKS
In the combustion of fireworks, the main component
gunpowder gives rise to the solid reaction products such as potassium
carbonate, potassium sulphate and potassium sulphide, together with unreacted
sulphur. The reaction products from effects mixtures are generally solids and
consist of metal oxides and, less often, chlorides. The air pollution caused by
firework reaction products is well documented by measurements in Switzerland
and abroad. Fine particulates are notable in reaching record short-term
pollution levels. Evaluation of data from Swiss gauging stations shows that
over a short period, such high levels of respirable fine particulates (PM10)
may be reached that the 24h average values may exceed the 50 µg/m 3 threshold
stipulated in the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control (OAPC). This value is laid
down for health reasons and may be exceeded only once a year. International
surveys - in more polluted areas - show that susceptible people may be
measurably affected.
Pollution of other
environmental compartiments and indirect effects: The firework reaction products
that are emitted are deposited and thus enter the soil, crops and, in the case
of fireworks over water, standing waters. This pollution has not been measured
yet. Therefore, the deposition of firework-related elements must be estimated
from model calculations.
Ecotoxicological and toxicological benchmarks for all
firework-related elements were taken from the literature. The present
assessment shows that firework-related depositions do not cause problematic
soil and water contents, and the evaluations suggest that indirect effects
(uptake through the food chain, soil ingestion by children) are also not
critical.
Waste: Some 1000 t additional waste are annually
generated by fireworks.
Source: angelfire.comhttp://www.angelfire.com/co3/NCFS/science/environmentalimpact.html
Firecrackers pose more
health issues than just injuries to limbs exposed to exploding firecrackers.
Firecrackers, even those regulated by law, can cause serious medical issues
such as bronchial asthma, allergic or chronic bronchitis, laryngitis,
pneumonia, rhinitis and sinusitis.
WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?
Air
pollution is
the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials
into the Earth's atmosphere, possibly causing disease,
death to humans, damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or
the natural or built environment.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION?
Acid Rain
-A form of
precipitation that contains high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids, can
contaminate drinking water and vegetation, damage aquatic life, and erode
buildings.
Holes In The Ozone Layer
-This can increase the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the
earth, where it damages crops and plants and can lead to skin cancer and cataracts. This
depletion has been caused largely by the emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
from refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosols. The Montreal Protocol of
1987 required that developed nations signing the accord not exceed 1986 CFC
levels. Several more meetings were held from 1990 to 1997 to adopt agreements
to accelerate the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances.
Health Effects Caused By Air Pollution
- Loss of lung capacity.
- Decreased lung function.
- Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.
- Shortened life span.
- Accelerated aging of the lungs.
Source: Infoplease.com
CAUSE OF AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is caused mainly by
Transportation, fuel combustion in stationary sources, burning of fossil fuels
like coal, wood, dry grass, and construction activity. Motor vehicles produce
high levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC) and Nitrogen Oxides
(NO).
HOW TO PREVENT AIR
POLLUTION?
- Conserve energy – remember to turn off lights, computers, and electric appliances when not in use.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.
- Participate in your local utility’s energy conservation programs.
- Limit driving by carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking.
- Combine errands for fewer trips.
- Keep your automobile well tuned and maintained. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance, such as changing the oil and filters, and checking tire pressure and wheel alignment.
- Avoid excessive idling of your automobile.
What I think…
We should
all do our part in taking care of mother earth. We should be thankful for the
world we live in and we must take care of it. We must find ways on how to
prevent pollution which is damaging our planet. One of the worst pollution is
the air pollution. We can all prevent it in our own little ways like limiting the
use of our cars and use bicycles instead. Let us all help save mother earth.
AIR POLLUTION FROM FIREWORKS
In the combustion of fireworks, the main component
gunpowder gives rise to the solid reaction products such as potassium
carbonate, potassium sulphate and potassium sulphide, together with unreacted
sulphur. The reaction products from effects mixtures are generally solids and
consist of metal oxides and, less often, chlorides. The air pollution caused by
firework reaction products is well documented by measurements in Switzerland
and abroad. Fine particulates are notable in reaching record short-term
pollution levels. Evaluation of data from Swiss gauging stations shows that
over a short period, such high levels of respirable fine particulates (PM10)
may be reached that the 24h average values may exceed the 50 µg/m 3 threshold
stipulated in the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control (OAPC). This value is laid
down for health reasons and may be exceeded only once a year. International
surveys - in more polluted areas - show that susceptible people may be
measurably affected.
Dioxins can be released during the combustion of copper
containing fireworks. Laboratory experiments, which investigated the extent of
dioxin formation caused by setting off various pyrotechnic devices, and
measurements taken during Bonfire Night in Great Britain where both bonfires
and fireworks are burned as in Switzerland, indicate that bonfires are a far
more significant source of dioxin than pyrotechnic devices, especially when
waste wood and other wastes are burned.
Pollution of other
environmental compartiments and indirect effects: The firework reaction products
that are emitted are deposited and thus enter the soil, crops and, in the case
of fireworks over water, standing waters. This pollution has not been measured
yet. Therefore, the deposition of firework-related elements must be estimated
from model calculations.
Ecotoxicological and toxicological benchmarks for all
firework-related elements were taken from the literature. The present
assessment shows that firework-related depositions do not cause problematic
soil and water contents, and the evaluations suggest that indirect effects
(uptake through the food chain, soil ingestion by children) are also not
critical.
Waste: Some 1000 t additional waste are annually
generated by fireworks.
Source: angelfire.comhttp://www.angelfire.com/co3/NCFS/science/environmentalimpact.html
Firecrackers pose more health issues than just injuries to limbs exposed to exploding firecrackers. Firecrackers, even those regulated by law, can cause serious medical issues such as bronchial asthma, allergic or chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, rhinitis and sinusitis.
The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB)
recorded the level of particulate matter on January 1, 2014 at almost 10 times
above the acceptable 24-hour national air quality guideline value. The report
said that the usual weather condition during the 2014 New Year’s celebration,
particularly the low ambient temperature, low wind velocity and low laying
clouds, triggered the air pollution incident and even contributed to low
visibility.
“Widespread pollution
during those times not only contravenes ongoing local and global efforts to
control climate pollution, but also violates our basic right to clean air as
safeguarded under the Clean Air Act,” Aileen Lucero of EcoWaste Coalition said.
Source: Manila Bulletin issue dated December 31, 2014http://www.mb.com.ph/firecrackers-can-cause-serious-health-problems/
(Before)
Magnificence for a moment
(After)
Effects that last a lifetime.
WHAT I THINK…
New year celebration has just ended. When I saw the
fireworks display, it was colorful and entertaining. But afterwards, the air became suffocating. The air was filled with
smoke that I could hardly breathe. Why do we keep on using fireworks when we
know that this is unhealthy to the environment and to ourselves? We can use
some other forms to welcome the new year. Like this for example:
(The use of horns)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) recorded the level of particulate matter on January 1, 2014 at almost 10 times above the acceptable 24-hour national air quality guideline value. The report said that the usual weather condition during the 2014 New Year’s celebration, particularly the low ambient temperature, low wind velocity and low laying clouds, triggered the air pollution incident and even contributed to low visibility.
“Widespread pollution
during those times not only contravenes ongoing local and global efforts to
control climate pollution, but also violates our basic right to clean air as
safeguarded under the Clean Air Act,” Aileen Lucero of EcoWaste Coalition said.
She added that exposure
to air pollution marked by an increase in suspended particulate matter
including minute particles, heavy metal oxides, greenhouse gases and other
contaminants, may initiate or exacerbate a host of cardiovascular diseases. An
increased number of minute particles and suffocating gases in the air can also
trigger eye, chest, nose and throat problems and aggravate the conditions of
people suffering from allergies, cough and colds.
Source: Manila Bulletin issue dated December 31, 2014http://www.mb.com.ph/firecrackers-can-cause-serious-health-problems/
(Before)
Magnificence for a moment
(After)
|
|
| Effects that last a lifetime. |
WHAT I THINK…
New year celebration has just ended. When I saw the
fireworks display, it was colorful and entertaining. But afterwards, the air became suffocating. The air was filled with
smoke that I could hardly breathe. Why do we keep on using fireworks when we
know that this is unhealthy to the environment and to ourselves? We can use
some other forms to welcome the new year. Like this for example:
(The use of horns)
