What are criteria air pollutants – why were these chosen for monitoring instead
ID: 122161 • Letter: W
Question
What are criteria air pollutants – why were these chosen for monitoring instead of other potential air pollutants? Explain how in the past one state can have well regulated levels of industrially produced air pollution, yet still have air that does not meet regulatory requirements? In your opinion what are the greatest threats for causing indoor and outdoor air pollution in the US and how should this be controlled. Do issues of environmental justice impinge on air pollution, explain? Are you confident that laws will remain sufficiently strong to protect your personal health from air pollution
Explanation / Answer
A. Air pollution: The term air pollution can denotes the presence of toxic compounds or chemicals in the air, which can reached to high levels and causes health risks. It is one of the most serious environmental problems confronting our civilization today.
B. Air pollutants: The chemical substances which are capable to lower the air quality are usually referred to as air pollutants. These are classified into two types they are
1. Primary air pollutants: These are directly evolved in to the air from the sources like factories, power plants etc...
2. Secondary air pollutants: These are not directly evolved in to the air. These are mainly formed in the air due to the complex chemical reactions which are taken placed between the primary pollutants and sunlight.
Air pollutants can be present in a gaseous form (as gases) or in a solid form (as particulate matter suspended in the air).
C. Criteria Pollutants:
These are most commonly found throughout the United States. These pollutants can injure health, harm the environment and cause property damage. The current criteria pollutants are:
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Lead (pb)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Ozone (O3)
Particulate matter (PM)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
D. Air pollution effects on human health:
Air pollution effects on the human health are completely depends on the level of exposure and pollutant inhaled type. The effects can be vary, ranging from simple symptoms like coughing and the irritation of the respiratory tract to acute conditions like asthma, chronic lung diseases, skin problems and irritations can be developed. So air pollution monitoring is necessary.
E. Air Pollution Monitoring:
The main mission of the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards is to preserve and improve the quality of our nation's air. For accomplish this, OAQPS must be able to evaluate the status of the atmosphere as compared to clean air standards and historical information.
1. Air Quality Standards: For improving air quality OAQPS can establish the EPA programs in areas where the current quality is unacceptable and to prevent deterioration in areas where the air is relatively free of contamination. For this task, OAQPS establishes the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for each of the criteria pollutants. There are two types of standards primary and secondary.
Primary standards: It protects against adverse health effects.
Secondary standards: It protect against welfare effects. (Ex: Farm crops, vegetation and damage to buildings).
2. Air Quality Trends Report: During the every year EPA can examines the air pollution based on the six principal pollutants in this country. The National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report documented by EPA can gives the detailed analysis of changes in air pollution levels over the last 10 years time, plus a summary of the current air pollution status.
3. Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center (AMTIC):
It contains all Federal Regulations pertaining to ambient monitoring, as well as ambient monitor QA/QC related information. AMTIC can contain ambient monitoring news, field and laboratory studies of interest and available related training information.
4. Attainment/Nonattainment:
A geographic area that meets or does better than the national ambient air quality standard is called an attainment area; an area that doesn't meet this standard is called a nonattainment area.