Toxicology Study Guide- Air Pollution

EPA.gov

1. How much air do we breathe every day (average)?

4,000 gallons per day or 10l per minute.

2. What are the oxygen-carrying molecules in our blood called? Hemoglobin (each red blood cell
carries about 300 hemoglobin)
3. What is the surface area of the alveoli in our lungs?55-85 square meters.
4. When did the word “smog” first appear? What pollutant is “smog” referring to?

Beginning of the 20th century. Smog is smoke and fog which is mainly made of ozone and
particulate matter

5. What is the Clean Air Act? A 1963 EPA act intended to reduce and control air pollution, primarily
the criteria pollutants. Sets NAAQS
6. Why do some compare living in a city to smoking a pack of cigarettes daily?

Because the same toxic substances found in cigarettes are released by cars;

PAHs,

Benzene,

formaldehyde,

1,3- butadiene,

acrolein,

heavy metals,

hexane.

7. What are the major sources of air pollution?

IMARC

Industrial (coal power plants, metal smelters, petroleum refineries, ect),

Mobile (cars and trucks),

agriculture,

residential burning of fossil fuels,

consumer products (leaf blowers, mowers, jet skis).

8. What are the six criteria air pollutants? Ground-level ozone, Particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (info from Criteria Air Pollutants | US EPA)
9. What does NAAQS stand for?
 National Ambient Air Quality Standards

10. What are some susceptibility factors influencing response of individuals to ambient air
pollutants?

PAD G2ROP

Pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease,

age,

Diabetes.

genetic factors,

gender,

race/ethnicity,

obesity,

pregnancy,

11. What are some vulnerability/exposure factors influencing response of individuals to ambient air
pollutants?

A2P2OIGS

proximity to point source

proximity to high traffic volume roadway

occupation

activity level

use of air conditioning/building leakiness

in utero exposure

geographic location

lower socioeconomic group

12. What are sources of CO outdoors?

Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels – mostly from motor vehicles, residential wood burning,
and industry.

What are sources of CO indoors?

Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters,

 leaking chimneys and furnaces,

back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters,

wood stoves, and fireplaces, gas stoves,

generators or other gasoline powered equipment,

automobile exhaust from attached garages,

tobacco smoke,

incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges,

poorly maintained boiler and furnaces

13. What are the human responses to exposure to carbon monoxide?

At low concentrations:

fatigue,

altered heart function,

headaches,

impaired vision and coordination,

dizziness,

weakness,

nausea,

confusion,

low birthweight,

preterm births,

reduce brain function.

At very high levels:

unconsciousness or

death.

14. What are sources of lead in the air?

Ore and metals processing,

piston engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation fuel,

waste incinerators,

utilities,
 lead-acid battery manufacturers,

lead smelters.

15. What are the human responses to exposure to lead?

Infants and young children especially sensitive -

Behavioral problems

learning deficits,

lowered IQ,

hearing problems,

anemia,

slowed growth.

Adults -

Cardiovascular effects,

increase blood pressure,

decreased kidney function,

reproductive problems

16. Between 1980 and 2104, the levels of lead in the air decreased by what percentage?

98%

17. What was responsible for this decrease?

I think(because fuels were unleaded following the clean air act implementation

18. How can you reduce your exposure to lead?

Inspected and maintain all painted surfaces to prevent paint deterioration,

keep home clean and dust free,

clean around painted areas where friction can generate dust such as doors windows and
drawers

wipe these areas with a wet sponge or rag to remove paint chips or dust,

use only cold water to prepare food and drinks, flush water outlets used for drinking or food
preparation,

eat healthy diet to absorb less lead, wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.

19. What are sources of nitrogen oxides?

 Burning fuel emissions from cars, trucks,buses,power plants and off-road equipment

20. What is acid rain?

Acid rain formed by interaction between N02 and NOx with water, oxygen, and other
chemicals

21. What is the difference between stratospheric and tropospheric ozone?

Stratospheric ozone - we need this to protect ourselves from ultraviolet radiation.

Tropospheric ground level ozone - major component of “smog” Created by nitrogen oxides plus
volatile organic compounds

22. What chemical reaction in the atmosphere creates ozone?

Created by nitrogen oxides plus volatile organic compounds.

Pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, etc.
in the presence of sunlight/ UV light.

23. When/Where is ozone typically highest?

Highest levels in urban environments during hot sunny days

24. What health issues are associated with exposure to ozone?

a. Shortness of breath
b. Wheezing
c. Cough
d. Sore throat
e. Aggravate lung diseases
f. Inflame/damage airways
25. What type of particulate matter is likely to penetrate deep into the lungs?

PM 2.5

26. Describe the difference between fine and coarse particulate matter?

Fine PM: less than 2.5microns. Produced by combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas,
gasoline, diesel fuel)

Coarse PM: have diameters of 10microns or less. Produced by road dust, pollen, molds,
volcanic emissions, demolitions, fires, sea spray.

27. Who is most susceptible to adverse responses after exposure to air pollution?

Children,

the elderly, and

people with heart and lung diseases.

28. What are sources of sulfur dioxide?

 a. Volcanoes
b. Extracting metals from ores
c. Fossil fuel combustion at power plants and industrial facilities
d. Locomotives, ships, vehicles, and equipment that burn fuel with high Sulphur content
29. What is the main site of absorption in the respiratory tract?

Alveoli

30. Why is the respiratory tract so susceptible to air pollutants?

Large alveoli area,

high blood flow, and

proximity of alveolar air readily absorbs toxins.

31. How is excretion accomplished by the lungs? Simple diffusion through cell membranes

What are the major pulmonary defense mechanisms?

a. epithelial lining, cilia, mucus

b. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (including Clara cells)
c. Macrophages (for phagocytosis)
physical and immunological defense mechanism

32. Describe how air pollutants can cause cellular damage and edema in the respiratory tract.
a. Ozone and Nitrous oxide cause cellular damage by peroxidation of cellular membranes. Oedema
is a result of increased permeability of cell membranes
b. Organic solvents (e.g perchloroethylene, xylene) undergo biotransformation and are
circulated into the lungs where they form reactive metabolites which lead to cell
damage and oedema

33. What are some common lung diseases associated with air pollutants?
a. Allergic responses
b. Asbestosis
c. Pulmonary fibrosis
d. Pneumoconiosis
e. Emphysema
f. Silicosis
34. What some major indoor air allergens? Mold, dust mites, animal dander
35. Why does air pollution vary by location?
Location determines the air quality based on local emission profiles, geographic topography
and meteorology
36. Approximately how much time do we spend indoors? According to the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the average American spends 93% of their life indoors. 87% of their life is inside
buildings, then another 6% of their life is in automobiles. That's only 7% of your entire life
outdoors.
 37. Who is more at risk for outdoor pollution?

Children and outdoor workers and asthmatics

38. What are indoor air contaminants of concern?

a. Radon
b. Lead
c. By products of burning tobacco, oil, gas and wood
d. Volatile organic compounds
e. Biological contaminants: mold, dust mites
f. Oxidant gases: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone
39. What is leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers?

Radon

40. What is asthma? What can exacerbate asthma?

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by air reactivity and excessive mucus
secretions*

Asthma is exacerbated by tobacco smoke, ozone, particulate matter

41. What is Sick Building Syndrome? Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is defined as a set of persistent
symptoms over 2 weeks
42. Approximately how many chemicals are in tobacco smoke? 4,000 toxic substances
43. What are VOCs and what are some sources of VOCs?

VOCs are gases emitted by various products such as paints and varnishes.

Sources: paints, varnishes, paint strippers, wood preservatives, cleaning supplies, mothballs,
dry sheets, hair spray

44. What are the six most hazardous VOCs?

a. Formaldehyde
b. Toluene
c. Benzene
d. Methylene chloride
e. Perchloroethylene
f. Paradichlorobenzene
45. What are some common indoor biological contaminants?

Mold, dust mites, animal dander

46. What can you use inside your home to reduce air pollution?
a. Installing machines that filter air (mechanical air filters, electronic air cleaners)
b. Use of house plants
47. Why is ozone typically not something we worry too much about indoors? Because it is formed
by VOCs + NO2 + UV light. As UV light is not present indoors, it is unlikely ozone will be
formed indoors
Know most polluted?? And sectors???