Air Data Lab

1. Name the two pollutants

(Sulfur dioxide and Ozone)

2. What are the potential health effects of each pollutant?

(Exposure to sulfur dioxide from even 5 minutes to 24 hours can cause adverse respiratory effects including bronchoconstriction and increased asthma symptoms.  Sulfur dioxide can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles that can deeply penetrate into vulnerable parts of the lungs and can cause or worsen respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronichitis and can aggravate existing heart disease.  Breathing ground-level ozone can result in a number of negative health effects. Some of these effects include induction of respiratory symptoms, decrements in lung function, and inflammation of airways.  Adverse respiratory symptoms may include coughing, throat irritation, pain, burning, or discomfort in the chest when taking a deep breath, and chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath,)

3. Look at the changes over these 3 different years, describe what has happened in East Texas that may have caused the changes.

(It appears that the sulfur dioxide levels have been dropping overall.  There are a few times where they rise a little, but overall they are going down.  In 2000, the EPA issued the final rule for tier 2 of the Clean Air Act that reduced the sulfur content of gasoline.  That could have had something to do with the lower levels of sulfur dioxide in East Texas.  Also, in December of 2000, the EPA reduced diesel sulfur levels in an effort to clean up emissions from heavy-duty trucks and buses.  Because there are a large quantity of heavy-duty, diesel trucks in East Texas, this rule could have also had a positive impact on the sulfur dioxide levels in the atmosphere.  Ground level ozone has also decreased in the atmosphere over the past years.  Once again, there have been the odd times where it rises slightly, but for the most part, ozone pollution has gone down steadily.  Ground level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight.  Burning fossil fuels is a major man-made cause of nitrogen oxide, and motor vehicles, solvents, and industrial processes in the petrochemical industry are sources of volatile organic compound.  Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has set protective health-based standards for ozone in the air.  EPA, state, and cities have instituted a variety of multi-faceted programs to meet these health-based standards.  Voluntary programs also encourage communities to adopt practices, such as carpooling, to reduce harmful emissions.  These may have helped in reducing the ozone levels in East Texas.  Also, cities and towns in East Texas are farther apart, so as gas prices have risen, carpooling is seen as being environmentally friendly and cheaper.)

4. Write a 1 page summary that describes what can be done to limit each of these pollutants.

(There are several ways to limit sulfur dioxide pollution in the atmosphere.  One of the more expensive methods could be buying a smart car or using only solar, lunar, wind, or wave powered things.  Upgrading old appliances to energy-efficient models is also another way to limit electricity use, which in turn limits sulfur dioxide emissions.  Easier and cheaper methods include taking everything out of the fridge that is needed to cook a meal once and putting it back once.  Use one oven cycle to bake several dishes.  Using a clothesline instead of a dryer may take a little more time, but the sun and wind will dry clothes without using electricity.  Reducing indoor heating and cooling costs will also be greener and help save money.  Planting shade trees near a house eases the burden on air conditioners while installing insulation helps maintain homes' temperatures and reduce electric cooling and heating.  Walking or riding a bike means cars won't be driven as frequently.  Carpooling or using public transportation also reduces the number of cars driven on the roads.  When purchasing a car buying a vehicle with low emissions and maintaining it is extremely green.  Coasting to stops, filling up the gas tank before it hits empty, and taking the shortest routes are also easy ways to save on gas and be environmentally aware.  There are also easy ways to reduce ground level ozone.  Conserving energy at home, work, and everywhere also helps.  Looking for Energy Star labels when buying home and/or office equipment is environmentally helpful.  Once again, carpooling, using public transportation, walking, and cycling reduces ground level ozone.  Combine errands to reduce trips.  Following gasoline refueling instructions for efficient vapor recovery, being careful not to spill fuel, always tightening gas caps securely, avoiding excessive idling of automobiles, refueling in the evening when it's cooler, and being sure automobile's tires are properly inflated are easy ways to be green.  Conserve electricity by setting air conditioners no lower than 78 degrees.  Wait to use gasoline-powered equipment such as lawn mowers until evening.  Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials.)