Air Pollution Flashcards
any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological
properties of the atmospheric air
air pollution
any matter found in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor,
carbon dioxide, and the inert gases in their natural or normal concentrations,
that is detrimental to health or the environment,
air pollutant
general amount of pollution present in a broad area and refers to atmospheric average purity
ambient air quality
air around us
ambient air
released directly from the source into the air in a harmful form
primary pollutants
converted to a hazardous form after they enter the air or are formed by
chemical reactions as components of the air mix and interact
secondary pollutants
those that do not go through a smoke stack
fugitive emissions
Six Conventional or Criteria Pollutants
sulfur dioxide
nitrogen oxide
carbon monoxide
ozone
lead
particulate matter
most widespread pollutants (7)
sand
haze
dust
odors
corrosive gas
noise
toxic compounds
Natural sources of sulfur in the atmosphere include evaporation of sea spray,
erosion of sulfate-containing dust from arid soils, fumes from volcanoes and hot
springs, and biogenic emissions of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and organic sulfurcontaining compounds
sulfur dioxide
Highly reactive gases formed when nitrogen in fuel or in air is heated (during
combustion) to temperatures above 650°C in the presence of oxygen.
nitrogen oxide
Colorless, odorless, nonirritating, but highly toxic gas
carbon monoxide
is a product of photochemical reactions (reactions initiated by
sunlight) between other pollutants, such as NOx or volatile organic compounds.
A general term for products of these reactions is photochemical oxidants
ozone (O3)
Most abundantly produced metal air pollutant
lead
Includes solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in a gaseous medium
particulate matter
particles those found in
smoke and haze, and produced by fires, power plants, or vehicle exhaust, are
among the most dangerous particulates because they can be drawn into the
lungs , where they damage respiratory tissues
PM(2.5)
Coarse inhalable particles are larger than 2.5 micrometers but less than 10
micrometers in diameter
PM10
4 OTHER POLLUTANTS
mercury, carbon dioxide, halogens, hazardous air pollutants
Many toxic metals are released into the air by burning coal and oil, mining, smelting of metal ores, or manufacturing. Lead, mercury, cadmium,
nickel, arsenic (highly toxic metalloid), and others are released in the form of
metal fumes or suspended particulates by fuel combustion, ore smelting, and
disposal of wastes
mercury
Some 370 billion tons of ________ are emitted each year from respiration (oxidation
of organic compounds by plant and animal cells). These releases are usually
balanced by an equal uptake by photosynthesis in green plants.
carbon dioxide (Co2)
The EPA is charged with regulating six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide,
methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur
hexafluoride. These are gases whose emissions have grown dramatically in
recent decades
halogens
A special category of toxins monitored by the U.S. EPA because they are
particularly dangerous.
hazardous air pollutants
These chemicals include carcinogens, neurotoxins, mutagens, teratogens,
endocrine system disrupters, and other highly toxic compounds
hazardous air pollutants
Any undesirable change in the physical characteristics or chemistry of the
atmosphere, such as noise, odors, and light pollution
aesthetic degradation
Inversions occur when a stable layer of warmer air lies above cooler air
temperature inversions
a 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
bronchitis
severe bronchitis, an irreversible chronic obstructive lung
disease in which airways become permanently constricted and alveoli are
damaged or even destroyed
emphysema
The deposition of wet acidic solutions or dry acidic particles from the air
acid precipitation
General term for structure or installation controlling the quality of emissions of
air pollution source equipment (APSE). Examples are filters, scrubbers and dust collectors
Air pollution control facilities
Involves filtering air emissions. Filters trap particulates in a mesh of cotton
cloth, spun glass fibers, or asbestos-cellulose.
particulate removal
Important because sulfur oxides are among the most damaging of all air
pollutants in terms of human health and ecosystem viability. Switching from soft coal with a high sulfur content to low sulfur coal is the
surest way to reduce sulfur emissions
sulfur removal
Can be reduced in both internal combustion engines and industrial boilers by
as much as 50 percent by carefully controlling the flow of air and fuel
nitrogen oxide
Mainly involve complete combustion or controlling evaporation
hydrocarbon controls
