Activity 3.3.1 - Air Pollution (Core Activity)

(1) Air Pollution Basics-

• Sulfate Pollutants: A colorless, pungent gas, with a bitter taste at 0.3-1ppm. The most prominent component sulfate in the atmosphere occurs as is ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate that can impair visibility.

• Nitrogen Pollutants: Gases consists of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide, and ammonia. Nitrogen pollutants concentrates are in most cases non toxic, but focuses on the photochemical reactions of the ozone.

• Hydrocarbon and Volatile organic compound pollutants: Diverse group of chemicals which contain various combinations of hydro, carbon, and with other volatile organic compounds containing oxygen and nitrogen. These pollutants can be toxic, but the concentration is rarely high enough to damage anything.

(2) Comparison of Current AQI-

Explain AQI:

AQI or Air Quality Index is a yardstick from 0 to 500 with the higher value meaning greater heatlh concern. A 50 or below represents good air quality and above 300 means hazardous. it is divided into six catergories (Green 0-50. Yellow 51-100, Orange 101-150, Red 151-200, Purple 201-300, and Maroon 301-500) with each category representing the concern of your health.

Within the 3 regions in the table Lahore compared to San Antonio and Los Angeles has a much higher AQI of 248 compared to 42 and 8, and San Antonio and Los Angeles are more similar with there AQI. The reason why their AQI’s are lower and similar is because the automobiles in both regions are mainly hybrids or more eco friendly cars than those in Lahore which has automobiles and industrial emissions are less eco friendly as well as more dust being picked up from construction.

As for the PM2.5 San Antonio ranks the highest as many industrial facilities are are increasing the air pollution by illegal emissions. Los Angeles ranks the lowest in PM2.5 with 1.9 due to their very strict emission laws that are reguarly checked on. As forecasted for their AQI’s they stay relativly around the same except for Lahore which AQi drastically drops in its later forecast.

(3)Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards

Explain PM 2.5:

Fine particulate matter which is an air pollutant which causes concerns in peoples health when it gets to high.

Explain O3:

Highly reactive gas that is man-made and naturally made. Depending on the location in the atmosphere ozone can affect the life on Earth in either good or bad ways.

References:

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019, June 18).Air quality index basics. Air Now. https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi