Biology and Geology.Teoría,
actividades y prácticas de laboratorio. 1º ESO Programa SELE • María
del Mar Vera Sánchez
Contents and activities
UNIT 4. The atmosphere
4.4. AIR POLLUTIONE
YouTube: National Geographic “Air pollution 101”
Quality of air is often deteriorated by substances called air pollutants that affect the health of living things.
| AIR POLLUTANTS | SOURCE | CONSEQUENCES IN LIVING THINGS |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | Fumes from burning fuels. | It reduces the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. |
| Sulphur and nitrogen oxides | Burning of coal and oil. | They produce acid rain when react with water, what damages living beings and monuments. |
| Bad ozone or smog or ground level O3 | Industry and motor vehicles (secondary pollutant). | It causes respiratory problems, more severe in people with lung diseases. |
| Soot | Burning fossil fuels, mostly coal. | As they are tiny particles, they can reach the lungs and even pass into the blood. |
PRÁCTICA DE LABORATORIO Nº 5:
Composición de la atmósfera y contaminantes atmosféricos
HOW TO CARE FOR THE ATMOSPHERE
- Filters are capable of trapping soot and sulfur oxides, so their installation in power plants and factories reduces emissions.
- Use renewable energy (wind, solar…) to gradually replace the use of coal and oil for electricity production.
- Choose responsible energy consumption. Most of the power stations pollute. Reducing energy consumption is another way to reduce pollution.
- Recycle. Using used materials (paper, plastic, glass…) in manufacturing processes causes less pollution than using raw materials.
