Urban Air Quality

Question 1

Cause of carbon monoxide

Answer 1

Road transport- around 90% of all carbon monoxide emissions in UK

Question 2

Impact of Carbon Monoxide

Answer 2

Affects the transport of oxygen around the body by the blood

Breathing in low levels can result in headaches, nausea and fatigue

Question 3

Cause of nitrogen dioxide

Answer 3

Road transport is estimated to be responsible for about 50% of total emissions of nitrogen oxides

Question 4

Impact of nitrogen oxides

Answer 4

Nitrogen dioxide can inflame the lining of the lung

Question 5

Cause of PM (particulates)

Answer 5

Particles originate mainly from power stations and vehicle exhausts

Can come from engine wear

Question 6

Impact of PM particulates

Answer 6

Can settle in airways and deep in the lungs causing health problems

Question 7

Cause of sulphur dioxide

Answer 7

Power stations

Question 8

Impacts of sulphur dioxide

Answer 8

Causes coughing

Narrowing of airways

Question 9

Where does air pollution come from mostly

Answer 9

Vehicles

Question 10

How is photochemical smog created

Answer 10

Nitrogen oxide

Sulfa oxides and hydrocarbons

When these pollutants come into contact w sunlight the UV light causes them to break down into harmful chermicals (eg ozone) which form photochemical smog

Question 11

What is bad about photochemical smog

Answer 11

Health problems

Breathing difficulties

Headaches