Acid Rain
By Natalie Elizalde 6B
What is it?
How Does it Affect me?
Another example is, "Climate change is projected to harm human health by increasing ground-level ozone and/or particulate matter air pollution in some locations. Ground-level ozone (a key component of smog) is associated with many health problems, such as diminished lung function, increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for asthma, and increases in premature deaths.", These effects of the ozone layer can negatively effect the air we breathe in. This leading to problems in the lungs. This also leads to increase in premature deaths. From my experience, I do have asthma myself. I did not get it through environmental issues but I do understand what's like to have it. Having the knowledge that Air Pollution have an impact to this disease, I could reduce it by walking or biking to short distances instead of using an Audio Mobile
Global Environment Impact
Another case in point, is that, "Acid rain triggers a number of inorganic and biochemical reactions with deleterious environmental effects, making this a growing environmental problem worldwide.
- Many lakes have become so acidic that fish cannot live in them anymore.
- Degradation of many soil minerals produces metal ions that are then washed away in the runoff, causing several effects:
- The release of toxic ions, such as Al3+, into the water supply.
- The loss of important minerals, such as Ca2+, from the soil, killing trees and damaging crops.
- Atmospheric pollutants are easily moved by wind currents, so acid-rain effects are felt far from where pollutants are generated."
Prevention/ Self Advocate
As well as more ways to improve Air Pollution is that "
- Turn off lights, computers, and other appliances when you're not using them.
- Use energy-efficient appliances: lighting, air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. For more information, see EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program .
- Only use electric appliances when you need them.
- Keep your thermostat at 68°F in the winter and 72°F in the summer. You can turn it even lower in the winter and higher in the summer when you are away from home.
- Insulate your home as best you can.
- Carpool, use public transportation, or better yet, walk or bicycle whenever possible
- Buy vehicles with low NOx emissions, and properly maintain your vehicle.
- Be well informed." I feel if more people were informed about Air Pollution the rates would drop. What I could do is use less energy like electrical appliances and electrical devices.
Another Example is that, "The overall goal of the Acid Rain Program is to achieve significant environmental and public health benefits through reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the primary causes of acid rain. Under the Acid Rain Program, each unit must continuously measure and record its emissions of S02, NOx, and CO2, as well as volumetric flow and opacity." A way to prevent acid rain is to reduce the amount of NOx, CO2, SO2. If we measure the right amount being released into the air we could reduce the chances of it being released. If we measure how much is release we could reduce the occurrences of air pollution
"When ground-level ozone levels are high, take steps to limit the amount of air you breathe in while you're outside." That could involve exersicing is not the best to do that while you're outside. You could be inhaling dangerous chemicals into your body/
Laws to Prevent Pollution
Negative Impact Influences
Lastly, "Health-related costs of the current effects of ozone air pollution exceeding national standards have been estimated at $6.5 billion (in 2008 U.S. dollars) nationwide, based on a U.S. assessment of health impacts from ozone levels during 2000–2002."Causing Billions of dollars being spent based on the health impact of the Ozone Layer. Air Pollution has increase billions of dollars just in health. I would think if we take act in decreasing air pollution, the numbers would go down massively
Note for the Teacher
Citation
"ATSDR - Air." CDC. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 20 Mar. 2009. Web. 6 Apr. 2015. <http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/general/theair.html>.
Casiday, Rachel. "Acid Rain." Acid Rain. Department of Chemistry, 1998. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~edudev/LabTutorials/Water/FreshWater/acidrain.html>.
"Environmental Data." CDC. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 22 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/data.htm>.
"Reducing Acid Rain | Plain English Guide to The Clean Air Act." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 28 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/airquality/peg_caa/acidrain.html>.
"Ozone and Your Health." CDC. CDC, 1 Apr. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/air/ozone.html>.
"Reducing Acid Rain." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 4 Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/reducing/index.html>.