Chapter 12 - Air SECTION 1 – WHAT CAUSES AIR POLLUTION

Air Pollution  Air Pollution  The contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural sources.  Can form from Primary Pollutants and Secondary Pollutants

Primary Pollutants  Primary Pollutants  A pollutant that is put directly into the atmosphere by human or natural activity.  Examples  Carbon Monoxide (CO)  Nitrogen Oxides (NO x )  Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 )  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)  Particulate Matter

Secondary Pollutants  Secondary Pollutants  A pollutant that forms in the atmosphere by chemical reactions with primary pollutants, natural components in the air, or both.  Example  Smog

Primary Pollutant: Carbon Monoxide (CO)  Description  Colorless, Odorless, Poisonous gas  Primary Source  Exhaust from Automobiles, Buses, Trucks, small engines  Effects  Interferes with blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Can cause death.  ~75,000 tons released daily.

Primary Pollutant: Nitrogen Oxides (NO x )  Description  Nitrogen and Oxygen combine during high burning temperatures. Can be seen as brown haze.  Primary Source  Burning fuels in vehicles and power plants.  Effects  Can make the body vulnerable to respiratory infection, lung disease, and cancer.

Primary Pollutant: Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 )  Description  Produced by chemical reactions between Sulfur and Oxygen.  Primary Source  Burning fossils fuels (Coal and Oil), automobiles, power plants. Also released by volcanoes.  Effects  Contributes to acid rain. Makes secondary pollutants that are harmful to plants and humans.

Primary Pollutant: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)  Description  Organic compounds that vaporize to form toxic fumes.  Primary Source  Burning fuels and gas spills. Many household products with an odor.  Effects  Contributes to smog and can cause serious health problems and cancer.

Primary Pollutant: Particulate Matter  Description  Tiny particles of liquid or solid matter suspended in atmosphere gases. Can be course or fine.  Primary Source  Fine: fuel burned by vehicles, coal burning plants.  Course: cement plants, mining operations, wood burning, fields, roads.  Effects  Respiratory problems, cancer  Corrode metals and erode buildings.