B.
Stratosphere
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
M2 Q2
Earth's Atmosphere and its Layers
Atmosphere
-defined as the area of air and gas enveloping objects in space,
like stars and planets, or the air around any location.
-An example of atmosphere is the ozone and other layers which
make up the Earth's sky as we see it. Earth’s atmosphere is a
mixture of gases made up of about 78% nitrogen (N 2), 21%
oxygen (O2), and 1 % argon (AR), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4 ), water vapor ( H2O), and trace amounts of other gases.
Oxygen
- primarily important for respiration of humans and animals.
Carbon dioxide, although present in a very small concentration
(0.039%), is necessary for the photosynthesis of plants.
Nitrogen
-is a major component of proteins, and thus, is also essential for
life.
The following layers compose the earth’s atmosphere from the
innermost to the outermost part.
A. Troposphere
-starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 kilometers
high (5 to 9 miles). This part of the atmosphere is the most dense.
Almost all weather is in this region.
-starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 kilometers
(31 miles)
High. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar
ultraviolet radiation, is in this layer.
C. Mesosphere
- starts just above the stratosphere and extends to 85
kilometers (53 miles) high.
-Meteors burn up in this layer.
D. Thermosphere
-starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 kilometers
(372 miles) high.
-Aurora and satellites occur in this layer.
E. Ionosphere
-is an abundant layer of electrons and ionized atoms and molecules
that stretches from about 48 kilometers (30 miles) above the
surface to the edge of space at about 965 km (600 mi),
overlapping into the mesosphere and thermosphere.
-This dynamic region grows and shrinks based on solar conditions
and divides further into the sub-regions:
D, E and F; based on what wavelength of solar radiation is
absorbed. The ionosphere is critical link in the chain of Sun-Earth
interactions. This region is what makes radio communications
possible.
F. Exosphere
-is the upper limit of our atmosphere. It extends from the top of
the thermosphere up to 10,000 km (6,200 mi).
Air Pollution
-Air pollution is the presence of substances in the atmosphere
that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings,
or cause damage to the climate or to materials.
-There are different types of air pollutants, such as gases,
particulates, and biological molecules. Examples of air pollutions
that can lead to various implications to our health on a daily basis
are burning of fossil fuels, wildfires, industrial emission, microbial
decaying process, indoor air pollution, transportation, construction
and demolition, and open burning of garbage waste. Nowadays,
fossil fuel emission is the biggest cause of air pollution. The
combustion of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other factory
combustibles is a major cause of air pollution. These are generally
used in power plants, manufacturing facilities (factories) and
waste incinerators, as well as furnaces and other types of fuel-
burning heating devices.
What are the effects of air pollution?
Pollution may be muddy landscapes, poison soils and waterways, or
kill plants and animals. Humans are also regularly harmed by
pollution. Long-term exposure to air pollution, for example, can
lead to chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer and other
diseases. Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent
health effects such as:
• accelerated aging of the lungs
• Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function
• Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema,
and possibly cancer
• shortened life span
Who is affected by air pollution?
The groups most affected by air pollution are people of color,
elderly residents, children with uncontrolled asthma, and people
living in poverty. Vulnerable populations may experience more
health effects because these populations already have higher
rates of heart and lung conditions. Ambient air quality criteria, or
standards, are concentrations of pollutants in the air, and
typically refer to outdoor air. The criteria are specified for a
variety of reasons including for the protection of human health,
buildings, crops, vegetation, ecosystems, as well as for planning.
How is air quality measured?
Air quality is measured with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The
AQI works sort of like a thermometer that runs from 0 to 500
degrees. However, instead of showing changes in the temperature,
the AQI is a way of showing changes in the amount of pollution in
the air. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air
pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI
value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI
value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. ... AQI values at
or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory.
What instrument measures air quality?

The air quality meter PCE-RCM 05 is used to continuously measure

the particulate matter content at the workplace. The air quality
meter displays PM2. 5 articulate matter as well as temperature
and humidity on the display. The air quality meter PCE-HFX 100 is
specially designed for monitoring indoor ventilation. Air quality is
measured with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The AQI works
sort of like a thermometer that runs from 0 to 500 degrees.
However, instead of showing changes in the temperature, the AQI
is a way of showing changes in the amount of pollution in the air.

What do air quality numbers mean?

The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution
and the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of
50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over
300 represents hazardous air quality. ... AQI values at or below
Note: Values above 500 are considered Beyond the AQI.
100 are generally
Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern.
thought of as satisfactory.
The six levels of health concern and what they mean are:
What is the normal range for air quality?
Good
AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as
- AQI is 0 to 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air
satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is
pollution poses little or no risk.
unhealthy: at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for
everyone as AQI values get higher. The AQI is divided into six Moderate
categories. Understanding the AQI The purpose of the AQI is to
help you understand what local air quality means to your health. To - AQI is 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some
make it easier to understand, the AQI is divided into six pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very
categories: small number of people. For example, people who are unusually
sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Clean Air Program - DENR

- AQI is 101 to 150. Although general public is not likely to be
affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults
and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone,
whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and
children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the
air.
Unhealthy
- AQI is 151 to 200. Everyone may begin to experience some
adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may
experience more serious effects.
Very Unhealthy
Apr 24, 2019
— The objective of the Clean Air Program is to come up with a
comprehensive national program to achieve and maintain air quality
that meets the National Air Quality Guidelines for Criteria
Pollutants throughout the Philippines, while minimizing the possible
associated negative impacts on the country's economy.
In 2018, a study by the World Health Organization said there
were 45.3 air pollution-related deaths for every 100,000 people in
the Philippines. It was the third-highest in the world, after
China's 81.5 pollution-related deaths and Mongolia's 48.8 deaths
per 100,000 people. And it appeared to be worsening.

- AQI is 201 to 300. This would trigger a health alert signifying

that everyone may experience more serious health effects.

Hazardous

- AQI greater than 300. This would trigger health warnings of

emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be
affected.