topic 6

Question 1

means any
alteration of the physical,
chemical and biological
properties of the atmospheric
air, or any discharge of any
liquid, gaseous or solid
substances

Answer 1

air pollution

Question 2

any matter found in the
atmosphere other than oxygen,
nitrogen, water vapor, carbon
dioxide, and the inert gases in
their natural or normal
concentrations

Answer 2

air pollutants

Question 3

released directly from the
source into the air in a harmful
form

Answer 3

primary pollutants

Question 4

converted to a hazardous form
after they enter the air or are
formed by chemical reactions as
components of the air mix and
interact

Answer 4

secondary pollutants

Question 5

the general amount of pollution
present in a broad area; and
refers to the atmosphere’s
average purity as distinguished
from discharge

Answer 5

ambient air quality

Question 6

the air around us

Answer 6

ambient air

Question 7

most massive
example of this category is dust
from soil erosion, strip mining,
rock crushing, and building
construction (and destruction).

Answer 7

Fugitive Emissions

Question 8

Six Conventional or Criteria Pollutants

Answer 8

1. Sulfur dioxide
2. Nitrogen oxides
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Ozone
5. Lead
6. Particulate Matter

Question 9

contributed the largest volume
of air quality degradation and considered the most serious
threats to human health and
welfare

Answer 9

Six Conventional or Criteria Pollutants

Question 10

Total yearly emissions of sulfur
from all sources amount to
some ____________

Answer 10

114 million metric tons

Question 11

__________ and the ________ are
the largest sources of
anthropogenic sulfur, primarily
from coal burning and smelting

Answer 11

China
US

Question 12

Once in the atmosphere, it can
be further oxidized to sulfur
trioxide (SO3), which reacts
with water vapor or dissolves in
water droplets to form sulfuric
acid (H2SO4).

Answer 12

Sulfur Dioxide

Question 13

Colorless corrosive gas, directly
damaging to both plants and
animals

Answer 13

Sulfur Dioxide

Question 14

Highly reactive gases formed
when nitrogen in fuel or when
air is heated (during
combustion) to temperatures
above 650°C in the presence of
oxygen

Answer 14

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Question 15

In addition, ___________
is an intermediate form that
results from soil denitrification.
It absorbs ultraviolet light and it
is an important greenhouse gas

Answer 15

nitrous oxide (N2O)

Question 16

Colorless, odorless,
nonirritating, but highly toxic
gas.

Answer 16

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Question 17

formed through photochemical
reactions driven by sunlight,
where pollutants like nitrogen
oxides (NOx) and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) play
a crucial role. Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) is split into nitrous oxide
(NO) and oxygen (O), with the
released oxygen atoms
combining to create ________

Answer 17

Ozone

Question 18

general term for
organic chemicals that
evaporate easily or exist as
gases in the air.

Answer 18

Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs)

Question 19

Most Abundantly Produced
Metal Air Pollutant

Answer 19

lead

Question 20

Toxic to Nervous Systems and
Cellular Functions

Answer 20

lead

Question 21

produced by various
industrial and mining
processes.
- The primary sources of
this sustance include
smelting of metal ores,
mining activities, and
the combustion of coal
and municipal waste.

Answer 21

airborne lead

Question 22

consists of solid particles and
liquid droplets suspended in the
air

Answer 22

particulate matter (PM)

Question 23

can encompass a
wide range of materials,
including dust, ash, soot,
smoke, pollen, and more.

Answer 23

aerosols

Question 24

often
conspicuous as it can diminish
visibility and leave unclean
residues on surfaces like
windows, painted areas, and
fabrics

Answer 24

particulate matter (PM)

Question 25

toxic metal released into the environment from various sources, including coal and oil burning, mining, smelting, and manufacturing

Answer 25

mercury

Question 26

is a natural component of the Earth's atmosphere, generated through the respiration or the oxidation of organic compounds within plant and animal cells. Typically, these emissions are balanced by the uptake of CO2 through photosynthesis in green plants. At normal concentrations, __________ is harmless and non-toxic.

Answer 26

carbon dioxide

Question 27

six potent greenhouse gases

Answer 27

carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride

Question 28

halogens

Answer 28

fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine,

Question 29

have a noteworthy impact as greenhouse gases, trapping more energy per molecule than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Answer 29

halogens

Question 30

a well-known halogen compounds, have been phased out for most uses in industrialized nations due to their severe depletion of the ozone layer.

Answer 30

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Question 31

distinct group of toxins that receive special attention from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to their exceptional danger

Answer 31

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

Question 32

mainly consist of metal compounds, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds.

Answer 32

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

Question 33

refers to undesirable alterations in the physical attributes or chemical composition of the atmosphere

Answer 33

Aesthetic Degradation

Question 34

Can greatly concentrate air pollutants.

Answer 34

Temperature Inversions

Question 35

occur when a stable layer of warmer air lies above cooler air

Answer 35

temperature inversion

Question 36

persistent inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles (large and small airways in the lung) that causes mucus buildup, a painful cough, and involuntary muscle spasms that constrict airways.

Answer 36

bronchitis

Question 37

severe bronchitis, an irreversible chronic obstructive lung disease in which airways become permanently constricted and alveoli are damaged or even destroyed.

Answer 37

Emphysema