Unit 9: Air Pollution Flashcards
Sulfur dioxide symbol
SO2
Is sulfur dioxide primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of sulfur dioxide
Burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur like coal, oil, and gas.
Natural source of sulfur dioxide
Volcanoes
Effects/impacts of sulfur dioxide
Respiratory irritant, harms plant tissues, sulfuric acid harms fish and plants.
Nitrogen oxides symbol
NOx
Are nitrogen oxides primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of nitrogen oxides
All combustion like fossil fuels, wood, and other biomass.
Natural source of nitrogen oxides
Lightning, forest fires, volcanoes.
Effects/impacts of nitrogen oxides
Respiratory irritant, smog and ozone formation, nitric acid is harmful to fish and plants, over fertilization of ecosystems.
Carbon monoxide symbol
CO
Is carbon monoxide primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of carbon monoxide
Incomplete combustion, bad exhaust systems, poor ventilation.
Natural source of carbon monoxide
Forest fires, volcanoes.
Effects/impacts of carbon monoxide
Interferes with oxygen transport in blood, headaches, death.
Particulate matter symbol
PMx
Is particulate matter primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of particulate matter
Combustion, soil mobilizing activities.
Natural source of particulate matter
Forest fires, volcanoes.
Effects/impacts of particulate matter
Respiratory disease, death, reduced visibility, haze, smog.
Lead symbol
Pb
Is lead primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of lead
Oil, gas, old paint.
Natural source of lead
The earth’s crust.
Effects/impacts of lead
Nervous system issues, learning affects, inability to concentrate.
Ozone symbol
O3
Is ozone primary or secondary?
Secondary
Human source of ozone
Combination of sun, water, oxygen, VOCs, and NOx.
Natural source of ozone
Heat and sun use reactions with NOx and VOCs.
Effects/impacts of ozone
Respiratory issues, degrades plant surfaces and materials like plastic.
Volatile organic compounds symbol
VOCs
Are volatile organic compounds primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of volatile organic compounds
Evaporation of fuels, solvents, and paint; improper combustion of fuels.
Natural source of volatile organic compounds
Plants
Effects/impacts of volatile organic compounds
Precursor to ozone formation.
Mercury symbol
Hg
Is mercury primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of mercury
Coal, oil, gold mining.
Natural source of mercury
Volcanoes, ocean.
Effects/impacts of mercury
Nervous system issues, bioaccumulates.
Carbon dioxide symbol
CO2
Is carbon dioxide primary or secondary?
Primary
Human source of carbon dioxide
Combustion of fossil fuels and clearing land.
Natural source of carbon dioxide
Combustion of biomass.
Effects/impacts of carbon dioxide
Affects climates and ecosystems by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.
Why isn’t carbon dioxide a pollutant?
It is a greenhouse gas, so it indirectly causes environmental and human health effects, but not directly.
Is PM10 or PM2.5 more harmful?
PM2.5 as it can travel deeper inside the lungs and cause more issues.
Clean Air Act
Allows EPA to set acceptable levels for criteria air pollutants.
