The document discusses various sources and effects of air pollution. It focuses on nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ground-level ozone, and particulate matter as major air pollutants. Sources discussed include transportation, industry, power plants, and residential heating. Effects on both human health and the environment are outlined, such as respiratory illnesses, acid rain, smog, and global warming. The document then examines specific issues related to air pollution in Bulgaria and Mexico City, and provides recommendations for reducing air pollution through alternatives to automobiles, cleaner fuels and technologies, better city planning, and individual lifestyle changes.

1. Air Pollution http://www.chrismadden.co.uk/eco/air-pollution-illustration.jpg http://www.metrolic.com/how-to-reduce-air-pollution-123801/ By Kosara Spasova Denitsa Manova Georgi Dobrev

2. No x (NO, NO2) Sources: Transportation Burning biomass and fossil fuels Burning fuels when the “nitrogen in air is heated above 1370°C” Effects: On people: Cough, chest pain, difficulty with breathing Respiratory infections On the environment Acid precipitation Global warming Photochemical smog Eutrophication http://www.sbg.ac.at/ipk/avstudio/pierofun/mexico/air-scan/nox.jpg

3. SO x Sources: Industries Fuel combustion (mostly of vehicles that emit carbon) Petroleum refineries Erosion Transported by wind Effects: On environment: When reacts with water- acid rain On people: Reduces visibility When inhaled damages the trachea and lungs http://www.groundworkprovidence.org/themetair/Images/SO2.png

4. Ground Level Ozone Ozone(O3) – gas composed of 3 oxygen atoms bonded together Protects from UV radiation but dangerous to breath Sources: Motor vehicles exhaust Industrial emissions Gasoline vapors Chemical solvents Natural sources Nitrogen oxides under the influence of ultraviolet in sunlight Effects: Smog Irritated eyes, persistent headaches, and increased hyper-reactivity Aggravates Asthma Irritates respiratory system Affects growth of plants

5. Particulate Matter Components of “ acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles” Types: PM 10--- up to 10 micrometers in diameter PM 2.5--- up to 2.5 micrometers in diameter http://www.epa.gov/ord/ca/quick-finder/particulate-matter.htm

6. Particulate Matter Sources: Burning of fossil fuels and wood Effects: On people: Reduce visibility Causes respiratory problems Irregular heartbeat Nonfatal heart attacks On environment: Changing nutrient levels in water bodies Reduces environment diversity Culturally: Damage stones and buildings

7. Bulgaria Air quality - one of the worst in the European Union http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NwDMVt2LHwM/TNd9zGqNlEI/AAAAAAAAACM/V2biDD2QD9I/s1600/pollution.jpg http://maps.grida.no/library/files/bulgaria_topographic_map_001.jpg

8. Sources Large number of old vehicles without catalytic converters Lack of restrictions on second-hand cars Central heating and gas heating (cities), coal-fired heating(smaller towns and villages) Metallurgic and other fabrics and plants http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=89367

9. Bulgaria Effects: - Pernik - Bulgaria's most polluted town, 92 microgrammes per cubic metre dust compared to 30 in the rest of the EU - Respiratory problems Heart diseases Reduced environment diversity http://topnews.in/health/files/heart-attacks_0.jpg

10. Solutions Has been done: Commercials, social programs Jobs, activities Is being done: Use of solar and wind energy Should be done: Temporary closing of boulevards Closing factories/power plants

11. Mexico City Location: Above 2240 meters low atmospheric oxygen levels Surrounded by mountains – air is trapped http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/Around-the-World/Countries/Mexico/Maps

12. Sources: Overpopulated – 21 million people who use: Transportation Services Industry http://www.sbg.ac.at/ipk/avstudio/pierofun/mexico/air-scan/df-emis.jpg

13. Mexico City Effects: - Extremely unhealthy/hazardous conditions especially for children Solutions : - Informing people about dangers - Training programs, games and participatory activities - Decrease of transportation - Introducing the issue of sustainable consumption - Promoting the use of energy saving appliances

14. How to reduce air pollution? Automobiles Alternatives – bicycles, public transport Cleaner fuels Factories/Powerplants Smokestack filters/scrubbs Relocation of factories, and other such facilities outside of populated areas Introduction to solar panels Buy food from local producer Recycle

15. Works Cited: &quot;Air Pollution Causes.&quot; Health and Energy . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. < http://healthandenergy.com/air_pollution_causes.htm >. &quot;Air Pollution in Mexico City.&quot; SBG . N.p., 16 Apr. 2002. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. < http://www.sbg.ac.at/ipk/avstudio/pierofun/mexico/air.htm >. &quot;Bulgarian air most polluted in Europe.&quot; EU Business . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. < http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1236337323.03/ >. &quot;Effects of Air Pollutants - Health Effects .&quot; US EPA . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. < http://epa.gov/apti/course422/ap7a.html >. &quot;How can I help reduce air pollution?&quot; EEA . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. < http://www.eea.europa.eu/maps/ozone/whatcanIdo/avoid-ozone-pollution >. &quot;How to Reduce Air Pollution Problems.&quot; eHow . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. < http://www.ehow.com/how_5351333_reduce-air-pollution-problems.html >. &quot;Ways to Reduce Air Pollution.&quot; US EPA . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. < http://www.epa.gov/air/peg/reduce.html >.