Friday, October 11, 2013

F1 Chapter 5

Pollutants in the air 

Air pollution occurs when air contains pollutants. Pollutants are substances that are released into the environment. These substances are harmful to living things and pollute the environment. Air pollution is the result of human action.


 Sources and effects of air pollutants on human beings and the environment

Air pollutants
Sources
Effects
Smoke, soot, haze
- Burning of waste
- Burning of fuels by factories, power-generating stations and vehicles
- Forest fires
- Cigarette smoke
- Smoke from vehicle exhausts
- Pollute the environment and make buildings dirty
- Slow down the process of photosynthesis in plants
- Damage the respiratory system
- Cause respiratory problems
- Damage the liver and cause cancer
Dust




- Quarries
- Cement
- Timber
- Asbestos factories
- Exposed riverbeds or shoreline
- Pollutes the environment
- Make buildings dirty
- Damage the lungs
- May cause lung cancer
- Reduce the productivity of farmlands
Carbon dioxide
- Burning of rubbish
- Burning of fuels
- Volcanic out-gassing
- Wildfires
- Respiration process of living aerobic organisms
- Cause the greenhouse effect
- Cause global warming
- Cause breathing difficulties
- Rises of sea level
- Increase extreme weather
Chlorofluorocarbons
- Aerosol cans
- Refrigerators
- Air conditioners
- Electronic factories
- Blowing agent  
- Destroy the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere
- Cause cataracts
- Cause skin cancer
- Cause eye damage
- Immune suppression
Carbon monoxide
- Burning of hydrocarbons
- Exhaust gases from motor vehicles
- Cigarette smoke
- Gas stoves
- Water heater
- Can cause dizziness
- Cause headaches if inhaled in small amounts
- Cause death if a large amount is inhaled
- Cause brain damage
- Cause the greenhouse effect

Steps to prevent and control air pollution


1. Avoid using fuels that release a lot of smoke, smog and soot. Encourage the use of liquid petroleum gas and electric equipment.


2. Legal action must be taken against owners of factories or vehicles which pollute the environment.


3. Fix catalytic converters on all motor vehicles to convert harmful exhaust gases into carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water.
4. Fix a filter on the smoke ducts of chimneys in factories to trap pollutants before smoke is release into the surrounding air.
5. Control the use of fertilizers and pesticides which are used to increase agricultural yield.

Ways to maintain the quality of air


1. Ban open burning.

2. Car pool whenever possible. This will help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

3. Install catalytic converters on vehicles. These convert harmful gases into less harmful substances.  

Habits to maintain the quality of air

1. Recycle papers,bottles and tins. This reduces waste and conserves natural resources.

2. Use public transport such as commuter trains, buses and the LRT.

3. Walk or cycle whenever possible.

4. Take part in tree-planting activities.

5. Use less electricity. Saving electricity means fewer pollutants will be released as the demand for electricity decreases



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