Economic Impacts

 

 

 

Economic losses are incurred in many areas as a result of air pollution in Cairo . 

Building materials, fabrics, and other exposed surfaces in Cairo are damaged.

Because Cairo is  situated in the Nile River Valley, injury to plants in the area cause a decrease in crop yield and quality (1). Air pollution is poisonous to livestock and other

animals in high concentrations.

 

 

 

Metals-

 

      -causes corrosion of surface

      -influenced by moisture, type of pollutant, temperature 

      -alteration of electrical properties

          -eg. Zinc used over iron as protective coating is broken down by SO2

              -looses its protective capabilities (2)

     

Fabrics-

      -causes soiling and loss of tensile strength

          -SO2 causes great loss of tensile strength in nylon, cellulose fibers,

          cotton linen, hemp, and rayon

          -SPM results in increased frequency of washing, which causes fabric

          deterioration (2)

 

Leather and Paper-

      -SO2 effects composition of leather and paper, causing significant

      deterioration

-absorbed by leather and converted to sulfuric acid, which eventually

breaks down completely

-especially important because many books are leather-bound (2)

 

Vegetation-

 

      -SO2 one of the main components of acid rain, has direct effects on vegetation.

      -changes in the physical appearance of vegetation are an indication that the

      ability of many plants to photosynthesize is impaired by SO2

·          harm is first noticeable on the leaves of the plants.

·          -for some plants injury can occur within hours or days of being exposed to high levels of SO2

·          -leaves in mid-growth are the most vulnerable, while the older and     younger leaves are more resistant (3)

 

Animals-

     

      -an animal's response to a pollutant varies greatly and depends on the type of

      pollutant, the duration and time of exposure, the amount taken up by the

      animal, age, sex, health, and    reproductive condition.

      -soft-bodied invertebrates (e.g. earthworms), or animals with thin, moist skin

      (e.g. amphibians) are affected most by the absorption of air pollutants.   

      -birds may be even more susceptible to gaseous pollutant injury than mammals

      due to their higher respiratory rates

      -cattle feeding on herbage with high concentrations of lead develop excitable

      jerking of muscles, frothing at the mouth, grinding of the teeth, paralysis of larynx

      muscles, among other harmful effects (1)

      -exposed horses exhibit a complete loss of appetite, lethargy and even death(5)