Air Pollution Flashcards
Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas (motor vehice exhaust)
Carbon Monoxide (CO2)
Irritating gas
Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly
(formed in the air when primary pollutants react or interact)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Produced by volcanoes and in various
industrial processes
Coal and petroleum often contain sulfur
compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide
Oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a
catalyst such as NO2, forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain
Sulfur oxides (SO2)
Secondary pollutant
One of the many secondary pollutants that make up photochemical smog (smoke and fog) Primary and secondary pollutants:
(emitted directly and formed from other primary pollutants
Ground level ozone (O3)
Reddish-brown toxic gas (sharp, biting odor)
Expelled from high temperature combustion,
Also produced naturally during thunderstorms by electric discharge Seen as the brown haze dome above or plume downwind of cities
Nitrogen oxides (NO2)
Atmospheric particulate matter, or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas
Particulates, particulate matter (PM
Refers to particles and the gas together
Sources:
burning of fossil fuels in vehicles,
power plants and various industrial processes
Aerosol
connected to airborne fine particles could cause cardiopulmonary disease
Persistent free radicals
Such as lead and mercury, especially their compounds
Toxic metals
Harmful to the ozone layer emitted from products currently banned from use
paint,
hair spray,
varnish,
aerosol sprays and other solvents)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Pungent odor
Emitted from agricultural processes
Precursor to foodstuffs and fertilizers
Building block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals
Caustic and hazardous
Ammonia (NH3)
Such as from
garbage,
sewage, and
industrial processes
Odors
Produced by
nuclear explosions,
nuclear events,
war explosives, and
natural processes such as the radioactive decay of radon
Radioactive pollutants
