NEW ASSIGNMENT 2pages DUE IN 2HRS

Running Head: Ambient Air Quality 1

Ambient Air Quality 3

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Ambient Air Quality

Identify air pollutants of greatest concern in your locality

The air pollutants of greatest concern in our locality are lead, carbon monoxide, ozone, and particles also called particulate matter (Bachmann, 2007).

Identify the health and welfare effects of the air pollutants

Exposure to lead can cause diseases like anemia, severe brain damage and kidney diseases as well as miscarriage. Carbon monoxide can cause poisoning which leads to death due to its extreme limit of the oxygen that gets into the body organs. Ozone, on the other hand, affects the breathing systems. Particulate matter has lung and heart disease risk.

Identify the largest source for those pollutants

Particulate matter is mostly derived from dust in the atmosphere. The largest source of carbon monoxide in the locality is stoves, both wood and gas stoves. For lead, its greatest source is paint that is used to refurbish older homes, older toys and furniture. Lastly, Ozone is caused by chemicals from vehicles and industrial plants and which react with the sunlight.

Investigate the emissions data from this largest source of local air pollutant. 

The largest non-point source of pollution for the pollutants in the industrial processes. These processes are associated with the emission of greenhouse gases as well as carbon. The total emission in 2016 alone was 6, 511 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Briefly explain how at least one of the pollutants are sampled and analyzed

Lead occurs naturally in the soil. Accordingly, the sampling process starts with the soil collection from the upper 1-2 inches of the soil. The samples may be deeper in the inches of the soil. The sample is mixed, shaken and sieved. The sample is to be analyzed through the atomic absorption spectrometer. This is done in a computerized system using a worksheet and various parameters such as workflow, times, calibration and optical. The calibration curve through software which represents the results of the analysis.

Meteorological events that must be accounted for in managing this local air quality

From the above discussion, it is evident that while managing the quality of the local air, the meteorological events that must be accounted for are the movement of the air. Other parameters are the radiation of the sun and other weather patterns such as rainfall and humidity.

Identify the relevant local and federal regulations for these air pollutants. 

The pollutants are regulated majorly by the Clean Air Act of 1970, Air Quality Act and Air Pollution Control Act (Wark & Warner, 1981). This Act established the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency is tasked with the administrative duty of prescribing the pollution limits for the pollutants. Accordingly, the Agency has come up with the National Ambient or Quality Standards and Source Performance Standard (Katsouyanni, 2003). The Act also requires the states to set implementation plans for the implementation. Key among the implementer is California State that has set its ambient air quality standards.

How well do the actual emissions meet the regulatory limits

The American Environmental Protection Agency has helped in protecting the Americans from dirty air. However, the success level is not excellent because the 100% ambiance is yet to be achieved. Further, there is forever emerging challenges such as the emerging challenge in the recent past has been the emission of greenhouse gases.  

Explain why either the local or federal regulations would be more relevant in this case.

The Regulations are necessary in order to lay an enforceable ground of state and federal government financial support and external research. The Regulations also lays the standards and empowers agencies to exercise their expertise in coming up with enforceable standards on pollution to achieve ambiance (Porter, 1996).

Identify regulatory air pollution control strategies for these four pollutants

The regulatory strategy for the United States is the setting of standards. The Regulations recognize that industrialization goes together with pollution but only prescribes limits (Porter, 1996). The other strategy is the classification of pollutants from highly harmful to less harmful to help achieve differential management.

References

Bachmann, J. (2007). Will the circle is unbroken: a history of the US National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 57(6), 652-697.

Katsouyanni, K. (2003). Ambient air pollution and health. British medical bulletin, 68(1), 143-156.

Porter, M. (1996). America’s green strategy. Business and the environment: a reader, 33.

Wark, K., & Warner, F. (1981). Air pollution: its origin and control.