Air pollution - Presentation by the students of Escola Secundária António Damásio, Lisbon - Portugal

1. Air Pollution

2. Air Pollution
Air pollution is the addition
of gases, chemicals, and
particulate matter into the
atmosphere.
Air pollution primarily
comes from burning
fossil fuels such as
natural gas, petroleum,
and coal.
Globally, an estimated
200,000 and 570,000
people die each year from
air pollution.

3. Air Pollution
Humans are the main
cause of air pollution.
Industries, including
factories and power plants,
burn large quantities of
fuel.
Burning coal and
petroleum releases sulfur
oxide and nitrogen oxide
into the air.
Airplanes, boats, and cars
burn fuel, releasing carbon
monoxide and carbon
dioxide.

4. Air Pollution
The waste in landfills
releases methane. Sulfur
oxides, carbon monoxide
and carbon dioxide, and
methane all have a very
negative effect on air
quality. These pollutants
can also contribute to the
greenhouse effect.

5. Air
Pollution
Some air pollution is not directly caused by humans: for example, animals
emit carbon dioxide when they breathe, and volcanoes release sulfur oxide.
However, most air pollution is linked directly or indirectly to human activity.
This means that air pollution can be best controlled by modifying human
activity to burn a smaller quantity of fossil fuels.

6. Major Pollutants
1. Carbon Monoxide
2. Sulfur Dioxide
3. Nitrogen Dioxide
4. Particulate Matter
5. Ground Level Ozone

7. The combination of these pollutants
results in…
SMOG

8. Smog
The term "smog" was first used
in London during the early 1900's
to describe the combination of
smoke and fog. What we typically
call "smog" today is a mixture of
pollutants but it is primarily made
up of ground-level ozone.
Smog is made up of a
combination of air pollutants that
can harm health and
environment, and also damage
property.
Smog is a visible example of air
pollution. You can look at the
horizon during the day to see
how much haze there is in the
air.

9. What can we do to reduce air pollution?
Answers vary, but may include:
using less power (thus putting less
demand on power plants); using
cars less frequently; diminishing the
amount of garbage.

10. Air Pollution – Images and Facts