Chapter 15 Vocab Flashcards
air pollution
introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or mircroorganisms into the atmosphere at comcentrations high enough to harm plants animals and materials such as buildings or to alter ecosystems
particulate matter (PM)
solid or liquid particles suspended in air
haze
Reduced visibility when particulate matter from air pollution scatters light
photochemical oxidant
class of air pollutants formed as a result of sunlight acting on compounds such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide
ozone
a colorless unstable toxic gas with a pungent odor and powerful oxidizing properties, formed from oxygen by electrical discharges or ultraviolet light
smog
, air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
photochemical smog
dominated by oxidants such as ozone and is sometimes called Los Angeles type smog
sulfurous smog
smog dominated by sulfur dioxide and sulfate compounds
volatile organic compound (VOC)
organic compounds that become vapors at typical atmospheric temperatures
primary product
A polluting compound that comes directly out of the smokestack, exhaust pipe, or natural emission source.
secondary pollutant
primary pollutants that have undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen, or other compounds
thermal invasion
The temperature inversion in which warm air traps cold air and pollutants near the earth.
inversion layer
traps emissions that then accumulate beneath it
asbestos
a long thin fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties
sick building syndrome
from new or renovated building that gives off high levels of vocs hydrocarbons and other potentially toxic materials
