SEAT NO.

2
ALESNA, HEALTHENE JOY F.
ECOL 8790
9:00-10:30


1. What is air pollution?

Air pollution is a mixture of natural and man-made substances in the air we
breathe such as fine particles produced by the burning of fossil fuels, ground-level
ozone, which is a reactive form of oxygen that is a primary component of urban smog,
and noxious gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and
chemical vapors. The health effects of air pollution have been reported in research
studies over the past 30 years. These effects include respiratory diseases such as
asthma, cardiovascular diseases, changes in lung function, and death. There is
mounting evidence that exposure to air pollution has long-term effects on lung
development in children.
2. How do you measure air pollution?
Three main methods are available to measure air pollution:
Passive Sampling:
This refers to Diffusion tubes or badges that provide a simple and inexpensive
indication of average pollution levels over a period of weeks or months. Plastic
tubes or discs, open at one end to the atmosphere and with a chemical absorbent at
the other, collect a sample for subsequent analysis in the laboratory. The low cost
per tube allows sampling at a number of points and is useful in highlighting
"hotspots" where more detailed study may be needed.
SEAT NO. 2
ALESNA, HEALTHENE JOY F.
ECOL 8790
9:00-10:30


Active Sampling:
This involves the collection of samples, by physical or chemical means, for
subsequent laboratory analysis. Typically, a known volume of air is pumped
through a filter or chemical collector for a known period of time - the collector then
subjected to laboratory analysis.
Automatic Sampling:
This is the most sophisticated method producing high-resolution measurements of a
range of pollutants at a single point. The sample is measured on-line and in real-
time, typically with 15-minute averages or better, with data being collected from
individual monitoring sites by telemetry. Instruments using physical scientific
measurement techniques, such as chemiluminescence, UV fluorescence, IR
absorption and Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS), are used.
3. What is the prevalent form of Air Pollution?
By far the biggest source of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels. Oil, gas,
and coal are burned on a huge scale, releasing a variety of pollutants into the air,
including carbon dioxide (CO
2
), sulfur dioxide (SO
2
), nitrogen oxides (NO
x
), carbon
monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulates, such as smoke
and soot.
Fossil fuels consist mainly of hydrocarbons compounds of carbon
and hydrogen. When they burn, the carbon combines with oxygen to produce CO
2
.
Often, however, the combustion is not complete: some of the carbon forms carbon
monoxide (CO), and some remains as carbon, forming smoke and soot particles.
SEAT NO. 2
ALESNA, HEALTHENE JOY F.
ECOL 8790
9:00-10:30


4. In what area (globally, nationally, locally) is Air Pollution prevalent?

Sometimes, air pollution is visible. A person can see dark smoke pour from the
exhaust pipes of large trucks or factories, for example. More often, however, air
pollution is invisible. Natural disasters can also cause air pollution to increase quickly.
Smog makes breathing difficult, especially for children and older adults. Some cities
that suffer from extreme smog issue air pollution warnings. The government of Hong
Kong, for example, will warn people not to go outside or engage in strenuous physical
activity (such as running or swimming) when smog is very thick.
The most air polluted city as of today in the whole world is Ahwaz, Iran. Well
this city of Iran has crossed all its limits, the pollution levels are all time high. The
major reason is multitude of oil and gas industries in this region, the air is polluted.
Grave consequences are being seen with some bird species getting extinct to infinite
cases of lung cancer on increase. The administration of Iran blamed US for Uranium
used in the Iraq war, with the American government in its denial mode. All this blame
game makes the life difficult for the denizens of this city.
Here in the Philippines, Baguio City has topped a list of Philippine cities with
the most polluted air, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) study. A
report on "24 Oras" cited data from the WHO study setting the guideline limit at 10
micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter.
Of the Philippine cities included in the study, Baguio City was the most pollution-
prone with 49 micrograms per cubic meter of air (Locsin, J. /TJD, GMA News, 2014).
SEAT NO. 2
ALESNA, HEALTHENE JOY F.
ECOL 8790
9:00-10:30


5. Give 5 recommendations on minimizing Air Pollution

Cutting down on air pollution is an important step in going green. While
transportation is the most obvious generator of air pollution, other aspects of your
lifestyle also affect the amount of emissions you create -- everything from the
products you buy, your behaviors at home and the way you handle household waste. A
number of small changes in different areas of your life can make a difference. The big
results come when everyone is making such a contribution.
1. Save energy around the house. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, saving energy can reduce carbon emissions. Because most energy sources
require burning fossil fuels, the less energy you use, the greener you are. Set your
appliances and lights on a timer to turn off after a certain period of inactivity. Use
compact fluorescent bulbs instead of standard light bulbs, and use your microwave
instead of the oven to heat small items.
2. Manage your heating and cooling. Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up
in the summer whenever you are at work, sleeping or on vacation. You can also turn
your water heater down to 120 degrees to save power. Make sure your insulation is up
to the recommended level for your area, and insulate pipes that pass through unheated
spaces. Check to see that your windows and doors are not leaking warm or cool air.
To make sure your furnace and air conditioners are running efficiently, perform
regular maintenance.
SEAT NO. 2
ALESNA, HEALTHENE JOY F.
ECOL 8790
9:00-10:30


3. Cut back on the amount of packaging you purchase and the amount of household
waste you produce. The process of manufacturing packaging releases harmful
emissions into the atmosphere, so patronize brands that use as little packaging as
possible. Recycle everything you can: aluminum, paper, glass, plastic and cardboard
are usually easy to recycle. When you are disposing of chemical-based substances like
paint, batteries, pesticides or solvents, check with your local waste management office
for a safe, eco-friendly method.
4. Reduce the amount of time you spend in the car. Carpool or use public
transportation whenever you can. For shorter distances, walk or ride your bike to do
errands. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, changing to carpooling
can save a person over $1,000 per year. If you avoid driving alone only one day every
week for a year, you can save hundreds of dollars in expenses, not to mention the wear
and tear on your car. When you must drive, refill your gas tank during colder times of
the day and avoid spilling gas to prevent evaporation into the atmosphere.
5. Improve your fuel economy. According to the EPA, a 1 percent increase in fuel
economy equals a 1 percent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. Avoid accelerating
quickly, braking hard and driving at high speeds, particularly when in heavy traffic.
Remove excess weight from your car and remove unused roof racks or bike carriers,
which cause drag.


SEAT NO. 2
ALESNA, HEALTHENE JOY F.
ECOL 8790
9:00-10:30


REFERENCES:
Website:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/5-easy-steps-reduce-air-pollution-79154.html
http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution/common-examples-of-air-
pollutants.html
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-the-most-common-causes-of-pollution.htm
http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/env227/lesson5_print.htm
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/pollution/?ar_a=1
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/exposure/air-pollution/
Title of Article:
"World Actuality." Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in the World. Web. 18 May 2014.
"WHO Identifies City with Most Polluted Air in PH." Yahoo Philippines News. 13
May 2014. Web. 18 May 2014.