Atmospheric Issues
Atmospheric Issues
Anita Curcio
SCI / 275
04/27/2013
Maria West
Atmospheric Issues
"Acid rain" is a broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from fossil fuel combustion. In the United States, roughly 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx come from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels, like coal. Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released from power plants and other sources, prevailing winds blow these compounds across state and national borders, sometimes over hundreds of miles.
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you 're at high risk for developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.
As you can only assume with the above information, both of these affect the environment as well as a person’s quality of living. Within the past few decades, the concerns have grown over the types of dangers that occur in the world in which we live. As human beings, we must make ourselves versed with the various atmospheric issues that
Anita Curcio
SCI / 275
04/27/2013
Maria West
Atmospheric Issues
"Acid rain" is a broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from fossil fuel combustion. In the United States, roughly 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx come from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels, like coal. Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released from power plants and other sources, prevailing winds blow these compounds across state and national borders, sometimes over hundreds of miles.
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you 're at high risk for developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.
As you can only assume with the above information, both of these affect the environment as well as a person’s quality of living. Within the past few decades, the concerns have grown over the types of dangers that occur in the world in which we live. As human beings, we must make ourselves versed with the various atmospheric issues that
References: Air Chek, Inc.. (n/a). Radon Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_facts.html Environmental Protection Agency. (12/4/2012). What is Acid Rain. Retrieved from http://epa.gov/acidrain/what/ Environmental Protection Agency. (n/a). A Citizen 's Guide to Radon. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html World Resources Institute. (n/a). Acid Rain: Downpour in Asia. Retrieved from http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8434