Air Pollution Basics
Sulfur Pollutants
Sulfur pollutants, mainly sulfur dioxide (SO₂), come from burning fuels like coal and oil, which power plants and factories. When this gas mixes with water in the air, it makes acid rain, which can harm buildings, plants, and bodies of water. It also makes breathing harder for people with asthma or other lung problems. Freedman (2018) explains that efforts like using cleaner fuels and adding filters to smokestacks have helped lower sulfur pollution over time (pp. 366-381).
Nitrogen Pollutants
Nitrogen pollutants, mostly nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) (together called NOx), come from car engines and factories. These gases mix with sunlight and cause smog and ground-level ozone, which can irritate the lungs and make asthma worse. NO₂ also plays a role in creating acid rain and causes water pollution by encouraging the overgrowth of algae. Freedman (2018) points out that nitrogen pollution gets worse during rush hour because so many cars are on the road (pp. 366-381).
Hydrocarbon and Volatile Organic Compound Pollutants
Hydrocarbons and VOCs are chemicals found in gasoline, paints, and cleaners. When released into the air, they react with nitrogen pollutants in sunlight to create ozone, which can be harmful to breathe. VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, and even serious health issues like cancer. Freedman (2018) explains that many products now use “low-VOC” labels to show they release fewer of these chemicals, making them safer to use (pp. 366-381).
In short, these pollutants come from things we rely on every day, like cars and factories, but they can harm our health and environment if not controlled.
Comparison of Current AQI
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures how clean or polluted the air is on a scale from 0 to 500. A lower number such as 0-50 means the air quality is safe, but a number higher such as over 100, can cause health problems, especially for people with breathing problems such as asthma. This can also affect elderly people and children. If the AQI exceeds 300, this can be hazardous for everyone. The AQI tracks five main pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The highest pollutant reading at any time determines the AQI score. checking the AQI helps people know when it is safe to go outside or when to stay indoors, especially during rush hour or events such as wildfires (Freedman, 2018, pp. 366-381).
Comparison of Current AQI
|
|
Time of Day
|
AQI Current
|
AQI Forecast
|
PM2.5
|
O3
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Delhi, India (highest)
|
10:55 pm
|
360
|
Hazardous
|
204.5
|
10.2
|
|
San Antonio, TX (Where I Live)
|
12:00 pm
|
53
|
Good
|
53
|
36
|
|
Los Angeles, CA
|
10:00 am
|
57
|
Moderate
|
12.4
|
70
|
When comparing the current Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi, India; San Antonio, Texas; and Los Angeles, California, we can see some big differences. Delhi has the highest AQI at 360, which is considered Hazardous. This means the air quality in this area is extremely bad and can harm people's health. While, San Antonio has a much lower AQI of 53, which is considered pretty good, and Los Angeles has an AQI of 57, which can be seen as moderate. This shows that Delhi faces serious air quality problems compared to the air in San Antonio and Los Angeles.
Looking at specific pollutants such as PM2.5, we can see a similar situation. Delhi’s PM2.5 level is very high at 204.5, which shows dangerous pollution levels. In comparison, San Antonio has a PM2.5 level of 53, from this, we can see good air quality. While Los Angeles has a lower PM2.5 level of 12.4. For ozone (O3) levels, Delhi has a low reading of 10.2 ppb, while San Antonio and Los Angeles show higher levels at 36 ppb and 70 ppb. With the data I collected above we can see that while Delhi struggles with very high PM2.5 pollution, its ozone levels are not as concerning. This information highlights urgent air quality issues in Delhi, while San Antonio and Los Angeles enjoy healthier air quality.
Comparison of Current PM 2.5 and O3 (Ozone)
PM 2.5
PM2.5 is a type of tiny air pollution particle that is 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These small particles come from various sources, including cars, factories, and even natural events like wildfires (Freedman, 2018). Because PM2.5 is so small, it can easily get deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. This can lead to serious health problems, including issues with breathing, heart disease, and strokes. Since these particles can stay in the air for a long time, people may breathe them in repeatedly, increasing health risks (Freedman, pp. 366–381).
O3
Ozone, or O3, is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms. While ozone high up in the atmosphere helps protect us from the sun, ground-level ozone is harmful. It forms when sunlight reacts with other air pollutants, like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Freedman, 2018). Unlike other pollutants that are directly released into the air, ozone is created through reactions, which can be affected by the weather. Ground-level ozone can harm our health, especially our lungs, and can make breathing problems like asthma worse (Freedman, pp. 366–381).
Health Risk
PM2.5 and ground-level ozone are serious health risks. PM2.5 can get into the lungs and can lead to diseases such as lung cancer and heart problems. Ozone can irritate the lungs and worsen existing breathing issues such as asthma. It is important for our health to understand the risks and dangers of these pollutants. It can help us take steps to reduce exposure and improve air quality.
Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards
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National Standard
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San Antonio Current measured over 1 hour
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Time of Day
|
|
PM2.5
Average measured over 24 hours - 35 μg/m3
|
15.0 µg/m3
|
1:00pm
|
|
O3
Average measured over 8 hours - 70 ppb (137 µg/m3)
|
49.0 ppb
|
1:00pm
|
Works Cited
“System Alerts.” AirNow.Gov, www.airnow.gov/?city=San+Antonio&state=TX&country=USA. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
“Los Angeles Air Quality Index (AQI) and California Air Pollution.” IQAir, www.iqair.com/us/usa/california/los-angeles. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
“Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) and India Air Pollution.” IQAir, www.iqair.com/us/india/delhi. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
“Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.” Go to TCEQ Web Page, www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl?user_param=88502. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
“Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.” Go to TCEQ Web Page, www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/select_curlev.pl. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
Freedman, B. (2018). Environmental science: A Canadian perspective. Halifax, Canada: Dalhousie University Libraries.
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