Air Pollutants

Question 1

NOx

Answer 1

Nitrogen oxides
Sources: fossil fuels
Health effects: nose/throat/res lining/lung irritation
Environmental effects: acid rain, formation of ozone and smog, death of plants, eutrophication of waterways, reduced visibility, wildlife
Primary

Question 2

SO2

Answer 2

Sulfur dioxide
Sources: fossil fuels, industrial processes/boilers
Health effects: breathing difficulties, n/t/rl/li
Environmental effects: acid rain, wildlife

Question 3

PM

Answer 3

Sources: fossil fuels, industrial processes, natural soil and soot, wood burning processes, waste incinerators
Health effects: breathing difficulties, n/t/r/l, asthma
Environmental effects: reduced visibility, wildlife
Primary

Question 4

Lead

Answer 4

Sources: heavy metal exhaust, smelters, waste incinerators
Health effects: brain/nervous system damage, kidney, liver
Environmental effects: wildlife
Primary

Question 5

VOCs

Answer 5

Volatile organic compounds
Sources: chemicals, fossil fuels, paint
Health effects: brain/nervous system, cancer, eye irritation, kidney, liver, ntrl
Environmental effects: ozone/smog, wildlife
Primary

Question 6

Ozone

Answer 6

O3
Sources: combo of many pollutants
Health effects: breathing difficulties, ntrl, asthma
Environmental effects: ozone/smog, death of plants, wildlife
Secondary

Question 7

Smog

Answer 7

Sources: combo of pollutants
Health effects: eye irritation, breathing difficulties, ntrl, asthma
Environmental effects: death of plants, reduced visibility, wildlife

Question 8

Primary pollutants

Answer 8

CO, NOx, SO2, PM, lead, VOCs

Question 9

Secondary pollutants

Answer 9

Ozone, smog

Question 10

CO

Answer 10

Carbon monoxide
Source: fossil fuel combustion, waste incinerators
Health effects: loss of oxygen holding capacity of the blood
Environmental effects: formation of ozone/smog, toxicity/negative health issues for wildlife
Primary

Question 11

Greenhouse gases

Answer 11

Water vapor (H2O)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4) 
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
CFCs

Question 12

Water vapor

Answer 12

Evaporation

Plant transpiration

Question 13

Carbon dioxide

Answer 13

Fossil fuels

Question 14

Methane

Answer 14

Animal waste
Burning biomass
Landfills
Sewage
Wetlands

Question 15

Nitrous oxide

Answer 15

Fertilizers

Animal wastes in soil

Question 16

CFCs

Answer 16

Refrigeration
Coolants
Aerosols