Air Pollution

Question 1

any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological
properties of the atmospheric air

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,
that is detrimental to health or the environment,

Answer 2

air pollutant

Question 3

general amount of pollution present in a broad area and refers to atmospheric average purity

Answer 3

ambient air quality

Question 4

air around us

Answer 4

ambient air

Question 5

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

Answer 5

primary pollutants

Question 6

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 6

secondary pollutants

Question 7

those that do not go through a smoke stack

Answer 7

fugitive emissions

Question 8

Six Conventional or Criteria Pollutants

Answer 8

sulfur dioxide
nitrogen oxide
carbon monoxide
ozone
lead
particulate matter

Question 9

most widespread pollutants (7)

Answer 9

sand
haze
dust
odors
corrosive gas
noise
toxic compounds

Question 10

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

Answer 10

sulfur dioxide

Question 11

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.

Answer 11

nitrogen oxide

Question 12

Colorless, odorless, nonirritating, but highly toxic gas

Answer 12

carbon monoxide

Question 13

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

Answer 13

ozone (O3)

Question 14

Most abundantly produced metal air pollutant

Answer 14

lead

Question 15

Includes solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in a gaseous medium

Answer 15

particulate matter

Question 16

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

Answer 16

PM(2.5)

Question 17

Coarse inhalable particles are larger than 2.5 micrometers but less than 10
micrometers in diameter

Answer 17

PM10

Question 18

4 OTHER POLLUTANTS

Answer 18

mercury, carbon dioxide, halogens, hazardous air pollutants

Question 19

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

Answer 19

mercury

Question 20

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.

Answer 20

carbon dioxide (Co2)

Question 21

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

Answer 21

halogens

Question 22

A special category of toxins monitored by the U.S. EPA because they are
particularly dangerous.

Answer 22

hazardous air pollutants

Question 23

These chemicals include carcinogens, neurotoxins, mutagens, teratogens,
endocrine system disrupters, and other highly toxic compounds

Answer 23

hazardous air pollutants

Question 24

Any undesirable change in the physical characteristics or chemistry of the
atmosphere, such as noise, odors, and light pollution

Answer 24

aesthetic degradation

Question 25

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

Answer 25

temperature inversions

Question 26

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

Answer 26

bronchitis

Question 27

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

Answer 27

emphysema

Question 28

The deposition of wet acidic solutions or dry acidic particles from the air

Answer 28

acid precipitation

Question 29

General term for structure or installation controlling the quality of emissions of
air pollution source equipment (APSE). Examples are filters, scrubbers and dust collectors

Answer 29

Air pollution control facilities

Question 30

Involves filtering air emissions. Filters trap particulates in a mesh of cotton
cloth, spun glass fibers, or asbestos-cellulose.

Answer 30

particulate removal

Question 31

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

Answer 31

sulfur removal

Question 32

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

Answer 32

nitrogen oxide

Question 33

Mainly involve complete combustion or controlling evaporation

Answer 33

hydrocarbon controls