major types of air pollution environmental science
TRANSCRIPT
Major Types of Air Pollution
Environmental Science
1. Particulate MatterO Solid particles and aerosols suspended in airO Bronchitis, lung cancer
46% - Fuel32% - Industry22% - Transportation
2. VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds
O Gasoline, paint solvents, cleanersO Nervous system disorders, cancers, learning
disabilities
3% - Fuel58% - Industry36% - Transportation
3. Carbon Monoxide - COO Invisible, odorless gasO Blocks delivery of oxygen
6% - Fuel 7% - Industry78% - Transportation
4. Nitrogen Oxides - NOx
O Converted to nitric acid in the atmosphereO Causes acid rain
46% - Fuel 4% - Industry50% - Transportation
5. Sulfur Dioxide – SO2
O Forms sulfuric acid in the air, then acid rainO Poisonous to plants and animals
88% - Fuel 9% - Industry 3% - Transportation
6. Lead, Heavy Metals
O Mercury, arsenic, cadmium, lead, etc.O Dangerous at low levels, leads to brain damageO Accumulates in tissue
7. Ozone – O3
O Very harmful at ground level (tropospheric)O Lung disorders, asthma, bronchitis
8. Air Toxics and RadonO Radioactive materials like radonO Toxics like asbestos, benzene, etc.O Mining remnants
Primary and Secondary Pollutants
O Primary Pollutants: enter directly into airO Particulate MatterO Carbon Monoxide and DioxideO Nitrogen OxidesO Sulfur DioxideO VOC’s and other hydrocarbonsO Chlorine
Primary and Secondary Pollutants
O Secondary Pollutants: pollutants that form from primary pollutants.O Nitric AcidO Sulfuric AcidO OzoneO PANs