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Air Pollution and Health Energypath 2011 June 29, 2011 Thurman Brendlinger Program Director-Clean Air Council Objectives • Identify major problem air pollutants from energy generation and use • Discuss pollution health effects Air Pollutants • • • • • • • O3 (Ozone) VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) PM (Particulate Matter) and Dust NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide) CO (Carbon monoxide) GHG (Greenhouse gases) CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) CH4 (Methane) The Smog Story: Ozone (O3) Forms from UV radiation VOCs or NOx (heat + UV ) O3 Ground level Ozone • Unhealthy and considered “summertime air pollutant” Sources: • NOx: Fuel combustion in motor vehicles, electric utilities, etc • VOCs: Human-made (ex. gasoline vapors) and chemical solvents Upper atmosphere • Ozone occurs naturally at 10 to 30 miles above earth’s surface • Forms a protective layer around earth to protect from sun’s harmful rays http://www.xpatathens.com/news/23632 Ozone: Health Effects • Even low levels can trigger health problems Short-term exposure (up to 8 hrs): • Reduction in lung function, coughing, painful breathing, and shortness of breath, nausea, headache, inflammation of airways • Children and people with respiratory problems (aggravates asthma) and anyone active outdoors is at risk Long-term exposure: • May lead to induction of asthma, increased risk of respiratory related death Particulate Matter (PM) Mixture of acids (ex. nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil and dust particles. PM2.5: Fine airborne particles that are < 2.5 micrometers in diameter PM10: Airborne particles larger than 2.5 mm but smaller than 10 mm Main sources: • Development of oil, gas, coal operations ( heavy construction and mining) • Incinerators, and wood burning • Emissions from petroleum coke • Highest PM levels are in summer • According to the Clean Air Task Force, fine particulate matter pollution from U.S. power plants leads to more than 24,000 deaths a year Particulate Matter (PM): Health Effects • Size of particles is proportional to potential for causing health problems. • PM reduces visibility and forms smog when combined with other chemicals. • PM10 poses the greatest risk because it can get deep into a person’s lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing serious health problems. • Studies show correlation between PM levels and increased respiratory morbidity and mortality, especially among those with heart/lung disease and even cancer Symptoms: • Irritates the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Formed from the incomplete combustion of fuel (ex. Combustion Engines, Coal, Automobile exhaust) Higher CO levels in areas with heavy traffic Highest levels occur in winter In the United States, 56% of CO (up to 95% in cities) is emitted by on-road vehicles. Health Effects: Carbon Monoxide (CO) People with heart disease are most at risk. Low Level Exposure • Fatigue and chest pain with reduced ability to exercise in people with heart disease High Level Exposure • CO can cause vision problems, reduced ability to work/learn along with impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; and nausea. • It can damage the central nervous system and become poisonous in the blood stream causing death. Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) • Created by fuel combustion in motor vehicles (especially) and industry, electric utilities, etc. • In the atmosphere NOx reacts with other compounds to form smog and acid rain Health Effects • Forms nitrous acids and accumulates in upper respiratory tracts causing: Lung tissue damage Difficulty breathing Aggravated heart disease Premature death •Asthmatics, elderly, kids are most at risk Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) • Created when fuel containing sulfur (ex. coal, oil) is burned; gasoline is extracted from oil; metals extracted from ores • SO2 reacts in air to form sulfate (a form of PM) and acid rain Health Effects • Elderly, children, heart and lung patients are most at risk • SO2 can cause temporary breathing problems for asthmatics who are active outdoors • Acute expose includes coughing, tightness in chest and bronchoconstriction Long term exposure: can cause respiratory illness and aggravated heart disease Acid Rain • Caused by atmospheric pollution of SO2 and NOx • When reacted in air forms PM (dry deposition) and Rain (wet deposition) • The when inhaled these chemicals can exacerbate heart and lung illnesses Acid Rain Mercury (Hg) • Coal fire power plants release the most amount of Hg in the air • Hg can also be released in crude oil processing Health Effects • Detrimental Hg exposure from the atmosphere is mainly through ingestion. • Once in the water ways elemental mercury is converted into methylmercury a more toxic form in the body. • Methylmercury accumulates in the tissues of various organs disrupting normal cellular function. • It especially effects the Central Nervous System killing off nerve cells Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Sources • Fossil fuel combustion, Engine Exhaust, Incineration Waste, Biomass Production, Natural gas systems Health Effects • Higher concentrations can affect respiratory function • Combines with hydrogen to make a greenhouse gas • Oxygen deficiency in the body • Carbon dioxide itself can cause headache, dizziness and nausea after exposure for many hours • At high levels of CO2 can cause asphyxiation Methane (CH4) • Greenhouse gas that remains in atmosphere for around a decade • 20 times more effective in trapping heat in atmosphere than carbon dioxide Sources • Fossil fuel production, Biomass burning, Waste Management, Landfills, Coal mining, Natural gas and Petrochemical systems Health Effects • Extremely volatile and flammable and may form explosive when mixed in air •Oxygen deficiency / asphyxiation in the body • At high levels of methane can disrupt the central nervous system Coal Energy • Almost half of the electricity generated in the US is from coal. • The coal is mined from the surface or underground, cleaned, processed and burned to make steam which is used to turn steam turbines that generate electricity. • By-products of coal burning (such as methanol and ethylene) are used in industry for making plastics, tar, fertilizers, medicines and steel. • Harmful emissions from coal include: NOx Mercury SOx CO2 Natural Gas Extraction • Hydraulic fracturing is the process of extracting natural gas from underground using highly pressurized fluid made of water/sand/solvent chemicals. • The pressurized fluid causes the rock formation to crack and release the natural gas which flows back up the well and is collected for processing. Natural Gas Extraction From start to finish natural gas extraction involves a number processes that emit pollutants in the air • Trucks (movement of materials and water): PM, NOx, CO, SOx - Thousands of gallons of water are used for each frack completion - Trucks are used to transport fracking fluid, water and waste to and from the site. • Compressor Engines: CO, NOx, HAPs, VOC, Methane • Heater and Boilers: NOx, VOC • Dehydrators: BTEX (Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), VOC, CO • Fugitives: Methane, VOC, BTEX Natural Gas Extraction Health Effects Chemical Acute health effect VOC Irritant, neurological Benzene Neurological, anemia Naphthalene Anemia Combustion Products Respiratory, cardiovascular, irritants Hydrochloric acid Irritant Glutaraldehyde Irritant, allergic reactions Example: Town of DISH, Texas Natural Gas Extraction Open Impoundments • Large pits are used to contain flow back fluid from the fracking process • Most are lined with thick reinforced plastic sheeting • The can emit odors and VOCs into the air • Health risks due to exposure include, cancer, breathing difficulties, intestinal or stomach disorders, burning of nose and throat Gas Migration • Gas migration is a result of gas that seeps through fissures or holes in pipes and filling up spaces in the ground such as basements or water wells • Little is know about gas migration in western PA-being studied at present http://www.flickr.com/photos/arimoore/4142044706/#/ Clean Air Alternatives Energy Conservation and Efficiency •The electron not used is best for our environment •Act 129 – requires PA utilities like PPL to reduce the demand for electricity by consumers. Clean Air Alternatives Renewable Energy • Solar •Wind •Geothermal Thank you ! • Thurman Brendlinger Program Director [email protected] 215-567-4004, Ext.