In this thoroughly revised, updated and expanded edition of his classic textbook Atmospheric Pollution (1987), Derek Elsom provides the clearest introduction available to the atmospheric pollution problem, its causes and effects, and approaches to its control. Atmospheric Pollution - A Global Problem retains the clear structure of the widely-praised earlier edition, but includes new sections covering urban smog alert systems, the US Clean Air Act, the rising pollution in the UK and Europe, the pollution problems of Eastern Europe, and other topics of current concern. The discussions of acid rain, the Antartic ozone hole and global warming have been greatly expanded, and new appendices include a glossary of key terms and a list of contact addresses. The text is now comprehensively illustrated with 39 photographs, 110 diagrams and 47 tables. Atmospheric Pollution - A Global Problem will be welcomed by students and specialists alike in geography and related environmental science fields, as well as by anyone with an interest in human-environment issues.
Table of Contents:
Preface to the Second Edition ix
Part One The Nature, Sources and Effects of Atmospheric Pollution 1
1 The Atmospheric Pollution Problem 3
1.1 Defining Atmospheric Pollution 3
1.2 Types of Pollutants 3
1.3 The Unfairness of Pollution: Pollution Not Borne by the Polluters 5
1.4 The Need to Reduce Pollution 6
1.5 The Environmental and Green Movements in Developed Countries 6
1.6 Pollution Control in Less-Developed Countries 10
1.7 Cure is No Substitute for Prevention 12
1.8 Understanding Atmospheric Pollution Problems 15
1.9 Formulating the Levels of Human and Environmental Protection against Pollution 15
2 Particulates and Gaseous Pollutants 21
2.1 Suspended Particulate Matter and Sulphur Dioxide 21
2.2 Photochemical Oxidants: Ozone and PAN 37
2.3 Oxides of Nitrogen 48
2.4 Carbon Monoxide 51
2.5 Toxic Metals: Lead 55
2.6 Toxic Chemicals 61
3 Odours, Noise and Waste Heat 69
3.1 Odours 69
3.2 Noise 73
3.3 Waste Heat 77
4 Acid Rain 82
4.1 Dimensions of the Acid Rain Problem 82
4.2 Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems 96
4.3 Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems 99
4.4 Effects on Human Health 105
4.5 Effects on Materials and Visibility 105
5 Ionizing Radiation (Radionuclides) 108
5.1 Introduction 108
5.2 Effects on People 111
5.3 Natural Environmental Sources of Radiation 115
5.4 Radiological Sources of Radiation 117
5.5 Radiation from Nuclear Weapons Testing 117
5.6 Radiation from Nuclear Power Stations 119
6 Global Pollutants: Ozone Depletion and Greenhouse Gases 132
6.1 Compounds Depleting Stratospheric Ozone 132
6.2 Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming 145
Part Two National and International Approaches to Atmospheric Pollution Control
7 Air Pollution Control Strategies 169
7.1 Introduction 169
7.2 Air Quality Management Strategy 169
7.3 Emission Standards Strategy 174
7.4 Economic Strategies 176
7.5 Cost-Benefit Strategy 180
7.6 Strategy Adoption 181
7.7 Pollution Episodes and Short-Term / Emergency Control Policies 182
7.8 Wartime Pollution: Kuwait’s Burning Oil Wells 192
8 Pollution Control in the United States of America 196
8.1 The Early Years: Pollution as a Local Nuisance 196
8.2 California ‘Discovers’ Air Pollution 196
8.3 The Federal Government Becomes Involved 200
8.4 The Environmental Movement of the Late 1960s 203
8.5 Pollution as a Political Issue 205
8.6 The Clean Air Act of 1970 207
8.7 Problems Develop with the State Implementation Plans 209
8.8 Motor Vehicle Emission Standards: a Change from the Desirable to the Feasible 211
8.9 The Clean Air Amendments of 1977 212
8.10 Pollution Control Policy: Job-Taker or Job-Maker? 214
8.11 EPA Flexibility: the Emissions Trading Policy 215
8.12 Progress towards Improving Air Quality: Visionary Aims versus Reality 218
8.13 Los Angeles Basin and the Nation’s Worst Air Pollution Problems 226
8.14 The Reagan Years (1981–1989) and the Reluctance to Strengthen Air Pollution Control Legislation 231
8.15 The Clean Air Act of 1990 and Future Prospects for Clean Air 234
9 Pollution Control in the United Kingdom and the European Community 238
9.1 Pollution Begins Early in Britain 238
9.2 The Alkali Acts and the Industrial Air Pollution Inspectorate 238
9.3 London Smogs 241
9.4 The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 244
9.5 Air Quality Improvement and the Effectiveness of the Clean Air Acts 246
9.6 Control of Pollution Act of 1974 249
9.7 Trends in Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbon Monoxide and Oxides of Nitrogen 250
9.8 Photochemical (Ozone) Episodes 252
9.9 Acid Rain 257
9.10 Entry into the European Community 258
9.11 European Community Air Quality Standards 259
9.12 Phasing Out of Leaded Petrol 263
9.13 Controlling Motor Vehicle Emissions in Europe 268
9.14 The Impact of EC Membership on Pollution Control in the United Kingdom 274
10 Approaches to Pollution Control in Socialist Countries 278
10.1 Socialism: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Protection 278
10.2 The Soviet Union / Commonwealth of Independent States 278
10.3 The People’s Republic of China 288
10.4 Eastern Europe: the Most Polluted Nations in the World? 300
10.5 Socialism and Pollution 303
11 International Collaboration on Pollution Control and Acid Rain 308
11.1 Current and Potential International Pollution Problems 308
11.2 International Environmental Law 309
11.3 Acid Rain 310
12 Tackling the Problems of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion and Global Warming 341
12.1 Stratospheric Ozone Depletion 341
12.2 The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming 350
12.3 International Progress to Date on Global Pollution Problems 361
Appendix 1 Prefixes for SI Units 366
Appendix 2 Units of Pollution Measurement 367
Appendix 3 Health Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants and the World Health Organization Guidelines for the Protection of Public Health 369
Appendix 4 Glossary of Atmospheric Pollution Terms 371
Appendix 5 Sources of Further Information on Atmospheric Pollution 379
References 383
Index 412
