OLLI Course, Fall 2007
In Fall 2007, several AirUCI
researchers will present talks in
a series offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the
UCI campus. For more information, please
visit their web site.
Here is an early overview of the courses to be presented – some of the titles may change slightly prior to the start of the series.
The Air We Breathe:
Chemistry, Simulations and
Health Impacts
October 31: "Ozone and Particles Up There and Down Here: An Environmental Paradox", Barbara J. Finlayson-Pitts, Department of Chemistry. Many trace species such as ozone are found in both the lower and upper atmosphere, but have quite different impacts on humans on earth, depending on which portion of the atmosphere in which they are concentrated. This talk will examine how ozone and particles are formed in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere or "ozone layer"), and why there are such different effects at the earth's surface.
November 7: "Modeling the Impact of Chlorine Chemistry on the Weekend Effect", Donald Dabdub, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. This talk will present results predicted by an air quality model that quantifies the impact that sea salt chemistry has on the weekend effect. The "weekend effect" is the phenomenon of ozone, a major component of smog, tending to be higher on weekends than on weekdays in some locations in Southern California.
November 14: "How Does Air Pollution Contribute to Heart Disease?" Michael T. Kleinman, Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory. It has been long known that air pollution contributes to both acute and chronic lung diseases, but recent investigations have clearly demonstrated that air pollution exposure increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and coronary heart disease. This talk will examine the premise that air pollution not only worsens heart disease but could be a causal agent.
November 28: "Where is the Cleanest Air on Earth"? Donald R. Blake, Department of Chemistry. We are involved in a study of Antarctic air. I will show photos of my 2005 trip to Antarctica and discuss data from that study.
