Env 100 - Air and Water Pullotion

Air and Water Pollution Paper

University of Phoenix

ENV/100 Principles of Environmental Science

November 29, 2010

Air and Water Pollution Paper

Did you know that every day one inhales around 14,000 liters of air? That means one takes approximately 26,000 breaths and in those breaths one is inhaling carbon monoxide along with sulfur oxides. Seen that this is not bad enough one must also deal with water pollutants such as, sewage and organic compounds. This paper will explain how these four pollutants are affecting the environment that we live in today and explain if they are considered a primary or secondary pollutant source.

Did you that carbon monoxide along with sulfur oxides are considered primary air pollutants? These primary air pollutants are the ones that are emitted directly into the atmosphere by sources such as power generating plants. The most important characteristics of air pollutants are that they can easily travel and affect the areas far away from their points of origination. These two pollutants are discretely throughout the world’s atmosphere in high enough concentrations to gradually cause serious health problems. Serious health problems may occur quickly when air pollutants are concentrated. For example, massive injections of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter are emitted by a large volcanic eruption. Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent suffocating odor. It’s a dangerous air pollutant because it’s corrosive to organic materials and it irritates the eyes, nose, and lungs. Carbon monoxide is also a colorless gas which is highly toxic to humans. The sources of carbon monoxide are also the burning of gasoline, natural gas, coal, and oil. Motor vehicles and industry are among the largest anthropogenic sources of carbon monoxide emissions.

Sulfur is contained within all fossil fuels, coal and is than released in the form of sulfur dioxide during fuel combustion. Carbon monoxide is the highest type of fatal poisoning in many countries around the world. Exposures to carbon monoxide can lead to toxicity of the central nervous system and heart, severe effects on pregnant woman’s unborn child, headaches and dizziness or problems with getting oxygen supplied to some body parts which may be life threatening. Exposure to sulfur dioxide can lead to damage to lungs when inhaled. The highest levels of carbon monoxide in the air typically occur during the coldest months of the year. The air pollutants become trapped near the ground beneath a layer of warm air.

The earth’s atmosphere is a thin layer of gases which surround the earth. The air gets thinner and thinner the higher one goes up into the atmosphere. It is said that 90 % of all molecules