Unit 7

Question 1

Formaldehyde

Answer 1

A naturally occurring compound that is used as a preservative and as an adhesive in plywood and carpeting.

Question 2

Evaporate

Answer 2

The process of converting from liquid to a gas or vapor.

Question 3

Haze

Answer 3

Reduced visibility.

Question 4

Noise pollution

Answer 4

Unwanted sound that interferes with normal activities that is loud enough to cause health issues including hearing loss.

Question 5

Smog

Answer 5

A type of air pollution that is a mixture of oxidants and particulate matter.

Question 6

Catalytic converter

Answer 6

A device that uses chemicals to convert pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide to nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide.

Question 7

Vapor recovery nozzle

Answer 7

A device that prevents VOCs from escaping into the atmosphere while a person is fueling their vehicle.

Question 8

Indoor air pollutants

Answer 8

Compounds that adversely affect the quality of air in buildings and structures.

Question 9

Base

Answer 9

A substance that contributes hydroxide ions to a solution.

Question 10

Sulfurous smog (London-type smog; Gray smog; Industrial smog)

Answer 10

Smog dominated by sulfur sulfur dioxide, sulfate compounds, and particulate matter.

Question 11

pH

Answer 11

The relative strength of acids and bases in a substance. It is a logarithmic scale, meaning that each number on the scale represents a change by a factor of 10.

Question 12

PM10

Answer 12

Particles smaller than 10 μm are called Particulate Matter-10 and are not filtered out by the nose and throat and can be deposited deep within the respiratory tract.

Question 13

Radon-222

Answer 13

A radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decay of uranium and is an indoor air pollutant.

Question 14

Acid rain (Acid deposition)

Answer 14

Precipitation high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Question 15

Photochemical oxidant

Answer 15

A class of air pollutants formed as a result of sunlight acting on compounds such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

Question 16

Primary pollutant

Answer 16

A polluting compound that comes directly out of a smokestack, exhaust pipe, or natural emission source.

Question 17

PM2.5

Answer 17

Particles of size 2.5 μm and smaller can travel further within respiratory tract and are of even greater health concern.

Question 18

Sublimate

Answer 18

The process of converting from a solid to a gas or vapor.

Question 19

Lead (Pb)

Answer 19

A trace metal that occurs naturally in rocks and soils, is present in small concentrations in coal and oil and is a neurotoxin.

Question 20

Sick building syndrome

Answer 20

A buildup of toxic pollutants in weatherized spaces, such as newer buildings in the developed world.

Question 21

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Answer 21

A corrosive gas that comes primarily from combustion of fuels such as coal and oil, including diesel fuel from trucks.

Question 22

Thermal inversion

Answer 22

An atmospheric condition in which a relatively warm layer of air at mid-altitude covers a layer of cold, dense air below.

Question 23

Asbestos

Answer 23

A long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties, which can cause cancer when inhaled.

Question 24

Photochemical smog (Los Angeles–type smog; Brown smog)

Answer 24

Smog that is dominated by oxidants such as ozone.

Question 25

Acid

Answer 25

A substance that contributes hydrogen ions to a solution.

Question 26

Electrostatic precipitator

Answer 26

A device that removes particulate matter by using an electrical charge to make particles coalesce so they can be removed from the exhaust stream.

Question 27

Air pollution

Answer 27

The introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals, and materials such as buildings, or to alter ecosystems.

Question 28

Secondary pollutant

Answer 28

A primary pollutant that has undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen, or other compounds.

Question 29

Inversion layer

Answer 29

The layer of warm air that traps emissions in a thermal inversion.

Question 30

decibel A scale (dBA)

Answer 30

A logarithmic scale that measure both the loudness of sound and the frequency.

Question 31

Hydrocarbons

Answer 31

Pollutant compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, such as gasoline and other fossil fuels, lighter fluid, drycleaning fluid, oil-based paints, and perfumes.

Question 32

Scrubber

Answer 32

A device that uses a combination of lime and or water to separate and remove particles from industrial exhaust streams.