Air Pollution - Hippies 4 Life

Let's turn our focus on the severity of air pollution into other countries, shall we? Since my other group members have elaborated on china, i shall do a post on our favorite Sombrero-wearing, tequila-gulping country, Mexico. More specifically, it's capital, Mexico City.

We have already elaborated on what actually causes the pollution of air itself, so we'll take a gander at what they are doing to clear the skies. Weather it involves driving less or smoking less cigars....i don't know. So let's learn together.

In 1992, the united nations coined Mexico City as having one of the places with the most polluted air. On the planet. (imagine their faces). Six years later, the same air earned Mexico the title “the most dangerous city in the world for children”, otherwise known as the Disneyland from hell.

So....the main point. What are they doing to clean it up? Well, certainly not with a mop and pail in hand. First of all, they figured that since the people were the ones who made the air filthy, the very same people would be the ones cleaning it up. Through games and participatory activities, Mexico's leaders helped forge a sense of community.

Well, that's all for today. Take a leaf out of their books, and learn from them. Check back for more, yeah?

About air pollution in china

One of the serious negative consequences has been increased pollution, smog, and degradation of natural resources. Much solid waste is not properly disposed of. Water pollution is a source of health problems across the country, and air pollution causes up to 1,750,000 premature deaths each year.

Nevertheless, China is one of a few countries in the world that have been rapidly increasing their forest cover. It is managing to reduce air and water pollution.

The government has plans to enhance sewage and rubbish treatment facilities and prevent water pollution, accelerate green belt and natural forest planting programs, and increase energy conservation initiatives and pollution control projects.

Industrial pollution

Air pollution caused by industrial plants

Industrial pollution has its most severe impact on the poor and in China, pollution incidents have been so serious as to be the cause of rioting in recent years.

Air pollution

Two-thirds of the 338 cities in china are considered polluted—two-thirds of them moderately or severely so. Respiratory, Cancer and heart diseases related to air pollution are the leading cause of death. Acid rain falls on 30% of the country. The World Health Organization has found that about 750,000 people die prematurely each year from respiratory problems in China.

During the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, air pollution was more closely monitored and more and stricter measures were being taken.

Air Pollution- Rawwwrx3

Air Pollution;
The most common thing that is deadly yet it is happening
Why is this pollution so common YET as harmful?
What can we do about it?
These are some common question asked and eventually answered.
Here are some answers to some questions.

Why is air pollution so common yet so harmful?-
Well, one of the most common pollution is air pollution. Usually it is caused by forest fires, factories and dust etc. Air pollution happens when te air is filled with too much gases, particulate matter, and droplets of liquid. These are caused by our normal lifestyles and work.In most of the countries, air pollutions are caused by gases produced by vehicles and construction work industries. In some countries, air pollution is caused by forest fire and that will cause haze. Some examples of these countries are Indonesia, Thailand and Etc.

How Harmful/Deadly can air pollution be?-
Research shows that more than half of the people think that air pollution is not as harmful/deadly. These people are the kind of people that are most likely contributing to air pollution. These are some of the facts about what air pollution can do-

Air pollution Facts:
According to a study, living in a major city places people at a higher risk than living in the radioactive zone in Chernobyl.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2 million premature deaths are caused each year due to air pollution in cities across the world.
A recent study has revealed that exposure to fine particle matter in polluted air increases the risk of hospitalization due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
According to a German study, people who breathe in the fumes of heavy traffic regularly have higher chances of getting hardening of the arteries, which is associated with the risk of heart attack.
A Scottish study has shown that jogging with traffic around results in reduced blood flow to the heart. This is particularly dangerous for people with stable heart disease, because it can trigger off cardiac arrhythmia or even a heart attack.
According to a study conducted on eight-year-olds in Mexico City, being exposed for a long time to high levels of polluted air reduces lung function and growth in children.
According to a 20-year study conducted on the residents of Los Angeles, it has been shown that the adverse effects of air pollution have been grossly underestimated. The researchers opine that chronic health problems due to particulate matter in the air may be double or even triple times greater than the estimates available currently.

What I can do to help save Mother Earth?
You can do your part by contributing back to nature. You can conserve energy and use energy-saving items. It may be costly at first but if you are using eco-friendly items, you save a lot more than what you've spent for it, your bills will be reduced.
Transport
It would be healthy if you could walk or cycle to your workspace or school everyday. You save on petrol, you will be healthier and most importantly, you are contributing backto nature by helping to prevent air pollution.You have done your part.If you really nid to use transport, try using compressed natural gas (CNG) and you will be helping the environment with your act.
Conserve Energy
As i've said before,conserving energy would be benefiting yourself as well as contributing to the environment. Switch off all eectrical appliances when not in use. Do Not Waste! Buy smart- Buy smart means you buy on eco-green/friendly items. A Normal Light Bulb may cost cheaper but an eco- friendly/green Light Bulb would reduce your bill to at least $15 A Year* but it may bea little costly. Well surely that would not be a problem as yo are doing your part to save the environment and saving your bills.

Those are some ways that you can help contributin to the environment and benefiting yourself at the same time.
Plant-a-Tree
Plant a tree to help the environment , Do Not tie yourself to a tree and go on strike. It MAY be an idea but it is not... good?or something.
For more information on planting a tree, please scroll down.

These are basically some ways on what to do when an air pollution attack occurs:
Try staying indoors as much as possible in the daytime. Usually the air indoors is less polluted than outdoors.
If you cannot avoid going outside, try to do it in the early morning or after sunset. This is particularly important when there are high levels of ozone, which is usually the case in many big cities, because sunshine triggers off the creation of ozone.
When the pollution levels are high, try not to exert yourself. The harder you breathe, the more polluted air you inhale into your lungs

These steps would be enough to help you for now.

Now that you know what air pollution can do,share your knowledge with your friends,family or people close to your, Save planet Earth

1 person may not change the world by him/herself, but that 1 person is the start to making a big change to the world

*If Precautious are followed and not wasted.

Air Pollution - Hippies 4 Life

One would ask him or herself how to join the fight against pollution, one way or another. Well, all forms of pollution are an important issue but we will help you with air first. *wheeze*.

-Motor Vehicles: Some, if most of us own a vroom vroom. These metal shells provide us with a form of transport. No doubt, they are quick and efficient, however, they stink. These hulking mass of steel and iron gargle petroleum like it was Saturday night. So, as you would have figured out by now, don't use personal transport. Just get on a bus. Sure, the wait is a pain in the a**, and that old woman that's staring at you from the opposite seat may be creepy, but at least you're saving the environment. Go hippies. Hoorah. And if you think the idea of taking the bus is really such an unbearable idea that it feels like a blade through your arm, ride a bike.

-Lights: Illumination. Provides us with the ability to see what is in front of us, not stumbling like some guy who has had too much to drink at the bar. The basic step, if you see a light not in use, off it. The simple act of flipping a switch leads to a small amount of electricity being saved. This, in turn, allows the power plant to stop churning out as much. Less poof poofs.

-Heat and Cold: We have one of the best inventions to look at in this topic. The air-conditioner uses a s**t load of electricity. So, as an alternate way of providing cold to your sleeping conditions, just strip. Yep, don't wear any clothes. Coooool. Nudist party!!!

-Plants and Trees: You know those pieces of paper we use to disturb chee hau all the time? If we use more paper to disturb him, more trees would be cut down. So, to save the trees, who have no mouths to thank us with, just reuse paper. Throw a piece at chee hau? Throw it again. And since these trees are the producers to our precious oxygen.....well, this speaks for itself, eh?

That's all for today's post. Check back for more, yeah?

Air Pollution Part10 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

PLANT A TREE - http://w.plant-a-tree-today.org/

Abstract taken from - http://treeday.planetark.com/

"National Tree Day, proudly sponsored by Toyota, is Australia's biggest community tree-planting event. This year's event, held on Sunday 2 August, saw more than a million native trees and shrubs planted at over 3,000 sitesaround the country. This wonderful achievement is the result of thousands of schools, community and green groups, as well as hundreds of local councils who facilitated tree-planting projects in their local area. To the groups and individuals who made this event such a wonderful success. In 2010, Nation Tree Day will be held on Sunday 1st August with Schools Tree Day taking place on Friday 30th July."

Air Pollution Part9 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

As predicted by scientists, this would be Mother Earth in 2012. Air pollution, is one of the main causes. However, it's never too late to make a change. These are the precautions that the Government is taking:

Enforced air quality standards, like the Clean Air Act in the United States, have reduced the presence of some pollutants. While major stationary sources are often identified with air pollution, the greatest source of emissions are actually mobile sources, principally the automobile. There are many available air pollution control technologies and urban planning strategies available to reduce air pollution; however, worldwide costs of addressing the issue are high. The most immediate method of improving air quality would be the use of bio ethanol fuel, bio diesel, solar energy, and hybrid vehicle technologies.

The World Health Organization estimates that 4.6 million people die each year from causes directly attributable to air pollution. Many of these moralities are attributable to indoor air pollution. Worldwide more deaths per year are linked to air pollution than to automobile accidents. Research published in 2005 suggests that 310,000 Europeans die from air pollution annually. Direct causes of air pollution related deaths include aggravated asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung and heart diseases, and respiratory allergies.

The Government has introduced a number of pieces of legislation to improve air quality over the past decade, for example, the prohibition of leaded petrol has eliminated lead emissions from vehicle fuels. Changes have been made to reduce the emissions of the seven key pollutants. Energy conservation schemes aim to reduce emissions from power stations by reducing the amount of electricity used. Every local authority is being required to work towards reducing air pollution within their district by introducing appropriate measures.

Air Pollution Part8 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

You could always........

TAKE A WALK

RIDE A BIKE

BOARD A TRAIN

OR PLANT A TREE!

Save planet earth, prevent air pollution!

Air pollution -Hippies 4 life

Alot of different things can cause air pollution. Let's take a tally, shall we?

1) Sulfur Oxides: These things are coughed up by volcanoes all the time. And, guess what? When we burn Coal and Petroleum, they are also produced. Double Oorah. Oh, is that the worst? No. When it comes into contact with Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulphuric acid, you get a nice little cocktail of ACID RAIN! *Ahem*.

2) Nitrogen Oxides: It is a reddish-brown toxic gas, normally seen above factories and rubbish-burning centres. They come from high temperature combustion, and has a sharp, biting odor. *sniff* *sniff*.

3) Carbon Monoxide: Ah, everybody's favourite. This oh-so-beautiful gas is odourless and colurless, AND it kills! Sleep well at night, yeah?

4) Carbon dioxide: Yeah, yeah, yeah, greenhouse gas. Shove off.

5) Metals: Lead, copper, chickens, cadmium....you name it.

6) Chlorofluorocarbons: What a long name! Harmful to the ozone layer and banned from use....hmm...anyone know where we can get some?

7) Ammonia: Found in pee, stinks like pee, looks like pee(citation needed). Hazardous.

8) Odors: dumpsters, garbage, sewage, granny's armpit....euch.

Now that that's out of the way, let's do another on where those lovely contaminants may come from, shall we?

-Power Plants(sleepy...)
-Vehicles(vroom vroom)
-Fumes(from aerosol sprays, varnish...etc)
-Military weapons(boom boom)
-Dust(achoo)
-Methane(Poot. Hehe.)
-Radon(cool name)
-Smoke(smoky...)
-Volcanoes(earth's very own boom booms)

All right, that's it for this post. Check back, yeah?

Air Pollution Part7 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

"One man, can make a difference."

As a Singaporean, do you part and take precautions to prevent Air Pollution.

1) Consider taking alternative transportation, such as walking and cycling. These transports not only prevents contamination of air but also helps you in exercising. (Killing two birds with one stone!) Also, you could try carpooling or telecommuting.

2) Refuel your car in the evening instead of during the day, when heat allows emissions in the air and from gas to form ground-level ozone. If you must drive a car, try to complete your errands at one shot.

3) If your workplace doesn't have a cafeteria, campaign towards such services so you wouldn't have to travel one place to another to have meals.

4) Avoid purchasing products that come in aerosol spary cans; try solid, gel and liquid forms instead. Avoid using lighter fluid when barbecuing. Instead, use an electric or chimney briquette starter.

5) Remember the quote, "Reduce Reuse Recycle"? Manufacturing of unnecessary or disposable goods often produces air pollution, so reduced purchasing of disposables will help. Thus, reducing air pollution!

6) Start planting leafy trees and shrubs! Deciduous trees and shrubs (the kinds that drop leaves in the fall) are excellent air filters to help reduce smog and cool the air on hot summer days.

7) Start a anti-Air Pollution club! And reach out to others to prevent air pollution.

Air Pollution Part6 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcWpkWBX04E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq_RzjmNyL8

STOP GLOBAL WHINING & DO SOMETHING.

Air Pollution Part5 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

It's never too late to stop Air Pollution.

Everything will be okay in the end, if its not, it's not the end.

Air Pollution Part4 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

Effects of Air Pollution to a Human Body:

Air Pollution, contamination of the air by noxious gases and minute particles of solid and liquid matter (particulates) in concentrations that endanger health. The major sources of air pollution are transportation engines, power and heat generation, industrial processes, and the burning of solid waste.

The major concern with air pollution relates to its effects on humans. Since most people spend most of their time indoors, there has been increased interest in air-pollution concentrations in homes, workplaces, and shopping areas. Much of the early information on health effects came from occupational health studies completed prior to the implementation of general air-quality standards.

How Air Pollution can damage the Heart:

Sitting in traffic can certainly be infuriating enough to raise your blood pressure. But new research shows that traffic can raise your blood pressure and put your heart at risk in a more direct way - by exposing you to the pollution in exhaust fumes.

It can affect your Health:

You can’t choose the air you breathe in and you need enormous amounts of it - 26,000 breaths worth a day. That adds up to 14,000 litres or about 150 bathtubs full. So, even small amounts of pollution can really add up. The health effects can range from triggering or worsening of asthma, eye, throat and lung irritations and respiratory diseases. These can put extra strain on other systems of the body and lead to heart and circulation problems (cardio pulmonary). Young people and the elderly are most at risk.

Air Pollution Part3 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

Air Pollution, before it stops YOU.

Air Pollution Part2 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

Air pollution is something that we cannot really ignore nowadays. This is evident from the moment we step out of our house and are greeted with black colored smog that hits us directly reminding us that breathing clean air is more of a distant dream. It is so easy for us to endlessly rant and rave about the causes of air pollution and its ill effects, but little do we realize that each person is responsible for all the causes of air pollution and the situation that we face today. Take a look around you at the dismal state of affairs. The thick smog that is seen in the morning hours is not really due to somebody else but rather due to each and every one of us.

How Do We Cause Air Pollution?

We cause air pollution directly through our use of electricity, fuels, and transportation.

We also cause air pollution indirectly, when we buy goods and services that use energy in their production and delivery. Most of this air pollution we cause results from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline to produce electricity and power our vehicles.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a good indicator of how much fossil fuel is burned and how much of other pollutants are emitted as a result. Using carbon dioxide as an example, the average family in the United States causes air pollution in the following ways:

How you can help to prevent Air Pollution:

• Carpool- This will help to reduce the number of vehicles on the already congested roads.
• Always keep your car tuned properly so that it remains in a good condition.
• Save energy- Try to use minimum amounts of natural gas and even electricity. Whenever possible, avoid the use of air conditioner and use a fan instead.
• Always buy recycled products.
• Reuse things such as paper and plastic bags, paper etc. This will contribute a lot towards reducing the effects of air pollution and global warming.
• Avoid the use of firecrackers. You don’t really need it to express your feeling of happiness.
• Go in for water-based paints instead of varnishes.
• If you really cannot avoid using your car, plan your work systematically to reduce air pollution.

Air Pollution Part1 - Tan En Li (Group Leader)

The occur of Air Pollution is when pollutants (eg. Dust & Smoke) are released into the enviroment. When such particles are suspended in the air, sometimes it could result in haze. Dust and Smoke can also combine with water vapour and toxic gases from factories to form smog, a more serious form of Air Pollution.

The Natural Causes of Air Pollution

- Volcanic Eruptions

Large amounts of volcanic ash, smoke and gases are released during eruptions. For example, the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines released hot volcanic ash and gases into the air, which blocked out the sunlight and caused grey skies in the surrounding region for days.

- Forest Fires

Another cause of air pollution, they can occur naturally in times of prolonged hot and dry weather. High temperatures and low rainfall create very dry conditions in forests, resulting in the risk of vegetation catching fire. The dust and smoke particles produced by a forest fire are suspened in the air and maybe carried by winds to areas surrounding the forest or even other nearby countries.

The Human Causes of Air Pollution

- Industries

Power stations and manufacturing industries release large amounts of dust and smoke into the air. When fossil fuels are burnt in power stations, besides dust, waste is also released into the air. This waste includes fine, black, carbon-based smoke particles called soot, as well as poisonous gases like sulphur dioxide.

- Motor Vehicles

The greatest source of air pollution in urban areas is vechicals. In many cities, it is estimated that as much as 90percent of dust and smoke particles present in the air are emitted by vehicals. These emissions also contain harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

- Construction Work

The clearing of land, construction of buildings and transportation of construction materials pollute the air with dust and smoke particles. These particles may be transported by wind to nearby residental areas.

Extend of Air Pollution

Air Pollutions, such as dust, smoke and harmful gases can be carried by winds from their source to other parts of the country, or across international boundaries to other countries.

For example, in recent times, hazy skies haven been occurring almost every year but were especially bad in 1997. Smoke particles from the burning forests in Indonesia were carriied by winds to nearby countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, causing hazy skies in the Southeast Asian region. Let us take a look at some of the problems caused by air pollution.

- Health Problems

Dust and smoke can cause difficulty in breathing as well as irritations to people's throats and eyes. When we are exposed to dust and smoke for a long time, we can develop respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma.

When a city experiences a smog, toxic gases such as carbon monoxide can cause serious health problems and even death. Sulphur dioxidde and nitrogen oxides which are also found in smoke can attack a person's respiratory system, increasing the risk of developing lung and heart diseases, and even cancer! Some studies have shown that the lifespan of people in cittes is shortened by an average of one to two years due to air pollution.

- Traffic Hazards

High amounts of dust and smoke in the air makes it difficult for us to see distant objects. Thus, when countries experience a haze, airports may have to stop all flights until visibility improves. It also poses an inconvenience and may be dangerous for those driving vehicals.

- Enviromental Problems

In some cities, acid rain cause air pollution, destroys forests, kills fish in rivers and lakes, as well as corrodes buildings. Acid rain is a common problem in places which have a large number of heavy industries present. For example, in chemical industries, large amounts of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air as the chemicals are being processed. These chemicals will mix the water vapour in the air, forming acid rain.

About Air Pollution - Yan Min (Member)

About Air pollution

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment, into the atmosphere.
An air pollutant is known as a substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment. Pollutants can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases.
Sources of air pollution refer to the various locations, activities or factors which are responsible for the releasing of pollutants in the atmosphere
Health Effects
The World Health Organization states that 2.4 million people die each year from causes directly to air pollution, with 1.5 million of these deaths to indoor air pollution. Direct causes of air pollution related deaths include aggravated asthma, lung and heart diseases, and respiratory allergies.
The health effects caused by air, people have difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions. These effects can result in increased medication use, increased doctor or emergency room visits, more hospital admissions and premature death. The human health effects of poor air quality are far reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system.