Atmospheric Pollution

LETS CLEAN UP OUR AIR!

Pollution
Pollution is from the Latin word meaning to make
unclean. It is the introduction of contaminants into
the environment which cause adverse change to its
natural form. Pollution can be in the form of foreign
substances or natural contaminants by regular
occurrences, either way, can be equally harmful.

What is Air Pollution?

The introduction of harmful materials into the

atmosphere
Chemicals
Particulates
Biological materials

Ocean health affected by air pollution

Oil spills can destroy food sources that live in the

ocean
Reduction in tourism/Restaurant patrons
Difficult for birds or fish to survive in water
Pesticides being sprayed into the air eventually come
down into water

We are all at Risk

Diseases
Death
Damage to food sources
Permanent damage to the natural or man made

environment

Causes of Air Pollution

Natural sources

a. Dust
b. Methane from the animal digestion and
waste
Smoke from wildfires (which can also be man made)
Volcanic activity

Causes of Air Pollution cont

Man made sources

a. Mobile sources such as vehicles, aircraft, ships

b. Fumes from paint, hair products household
cleaners
c. Landfill waste that create methane
d. Smoke from power plants and factories

Effects of Air Pollution

Air pollution is a risk factor for multiple health
conditions, including respiratory infections, heart
disease, and lung cancer. It can cause difficulty
breathing, coughing, wheezing, asthma, and can
aggravate existing respiratory and cardiac conditions.
This could result in an increase in medication use, an
increase in hospital admissions, and premature death

Effects of Air Pollution cont..

Production of acid rain

a. Damage to soil, water and food sources

Harmful to Global warming
Ozone depletion

How Can We Reduce Pollution?

Reduce dependency on non renewable sources such

as coal, natural gas and oil

Increase awareness and activity of recycling
Reduction of emissions
Utilize land use planning strategies-ensure land is
efficient for a wider economy and population, while
still protecting the environment.

Who Can Make it Happen? We All Can!

Community Residents Initiate a Go Green

initiative in their area

Businesses Implement recycling standards, replace
energy usage with renewable, sustainable products
Governmental Agencies Willing to supply adequate
funding to support the changes initiated
Non-Profit organizations Organize city wide
cleanup projects

This plan can be successful with the help of all. I feel

that we can wean the world off of certain pollutants
like gasoline, and energy powered by coal, oil natural
gas by reducing its availability. As we have shown, we
will use whatever is available and if the only motor
vehicles that are available are Hybrid, we will use that.
If the only energy sources available are wind or solar,
we will use that. If we can show everyone how much
better these choices are for our environment, the
transition will be that much easier.

References
Chiras, D. D. (2013). Environmental science (9th

ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/landmanagement/re
souecemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5318547
http://www.environmenttexas.org/programs/txe/clea

n-air-healthy-families
www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/exposure/air-pollu
tion