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How does air pollution affect our health (<2 min)
Air and our Health
Air and our Health
Read:
Frumkin, Chapter 12, Climate Change and Human Health, starting on page 275
Frumkin, Chapter 13, Air Pollution, starting on page 319.
Browse State of Global Air's "State of Global Air 2020" - summary of air pollution exposures and their impacts on human health. Download PDF 5.05 MB
Regional perspective
Air quality with Oregon wildfire considerations (17:06 min)
Trajectory
Overview of climate change & planetary health (8:35 min)
Criteria Air Pollutants
Criteria Air Pollutants
The Clean Air Act (1970) set air quality standards for six pollutants, known as "criteria air pollutants". Learn more about criteria air pollutatnts from the EPA. They are important. Have a sense of their general sources and health effects.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Particulate Matter (PM)
Described in microns: PM10 (coarse), PM2.5 (fine), and PM 1 (ultrafine). The smaller it is, the deeper it can lodge in your lungs -- and enter your bloodstream. Think cardiovascular problems.
Learn more about particulate matter from the EPA
Ozone (O3)
Ozone (O3)
Ozone is simply three oxygen molecules bound together.
"Good up high, bad nearby"
In the stratosphere, it protects us from radiation, though next to the surface (ground-level or tropospheric), it can produce airway inflammation.
Learn more about ground-level ozone from EPA
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Atmospheric pollutants often found from fossil fuel combustion (e.g., car exhaust, coal-burning factories, and many other sources.
Learn more about:
Nitrogen oxides via Compound Chem (infographics) or EPA report (PDF)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Burning of fossil fuels (and volcano emissions!) produce sulfur dioxides that can irritate airways, especially problematic for people with asthma.
Learn more about sulfur dioxide from EPA or via the CDC
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
From combustion of fossil fuels and a burn byproduct in general (e.g., wildfires). Binds to hemoglobin more efficiently, so your brain and body get starved of oxygen. Known as the "quiet killer" or "invisible killer".
Learn more about carbon monoxide from EPA
Lead
Lead
Once in the body, it can cause a lot of problems, like cognitive function impairments. Especially harmful for kids who are still developing.
Learn more about lead from EPA
Listen:
- This Podcast Will Kill You: Episode 38: Lead poisoning: Heavy metal episode (1:11:59 min)
Infographic Visualizations by Compound Chem
Infographic Visualizations by Compound Chem
A chemistry teacher in the U.K. creates these beautiful infographics to help us learn and appreciate the science behind these topics.
Source: Compound Chem: A brief guide to atmospheric pollutants. May 5, 2015. See site for more about the topic.
Source: Compund Interest. May 17, 2016, See full page.
Source: Compund Interest. Sept 30, 2015, See full page.
Air Quality Resources
Air Quality Resources
Air Quality Visualizations
Air Quality Visualizations
Air Quality Index: https://airnow.gov/
Oregon Department of Environmental Qualtity: https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/
Fire and Smoke map: Air quality index, but with smoke plume overlay. Great for wildfire season. https://fire.airnow.gov/
Earth.nullschool.net
Earth.nullschool.net
Real time visualization of air and water patterns, pollution, and aurorae. It's where I go to see developing wildfires and if a hurricane is heading toward the east coast.
Super amazing, so simple. Click on "Earth" to find the filter you want
Consider
Consider
Heat & Cold Extremes
Heat & Cold Extremes
Read:
- Seltenrich, N. (2015). Between Extremes: Health Effects of Heat and Cold. Environmental Health Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.123-A275.
Great article for thinking about elderly and individuals at risk for climate change health impacts– who is at risk?
Air Pollution and DOHAD
Air Pollution and DOHAD
Developmental Origins of Health & Disease (DOHAD) often considers low birth weight an important indicator. Listen how air pollution impacts birth weight -- impacts for DOHAD?
Listen:
- Woodruff, T. An unlikely duo: Air Pollution's link to Low Birth Weight, with Tracey Woodruff. Environmental Health Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.trp020613
- 10m Podcast available at http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/trp020613/
- Transcript
State of Global Air 2020
State of Global Air 2020
A global report card released October 2020 on air pollution exposures and their impacts on human health .
Download PDF 5.05 MB
Visit State of Global Air
Practice
Practice
Flashcard sets to test yourself (or practice for the CPH exam)
Flashcard sets to test yourself (or practice for the CPH exam)
Air Quality (https://quizlet.com/_8axi9z?x=1qqt&i=2qt0sc)
Climate Change (https://quizlet.com/_8cuo1s?x=1qqt&i=2qt0sc)
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