Major Types of Air Pollution Environmental Science

1. Particulate Matter O Solid particles and aerosols suspended in air O Bronchitis, lung cancer 46% - Fuel 32% - Industry 22% - Transportation

2. VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds O Gasoline, paint solvents, cleaners O Nervous system disorders, cancers, learning disabilities 3% - Fuel 58% - Industry 36% - Transportation

3. Carbon Monoxide - CO O Invisible, odorless gas O Blocks delivery of oxygen 6% - Fuel 7% - Industry 78% - Transportation

4. Nitrogen Oxides - NO x O Converted to nitric acid in the atmosphere O Causes acid rain 46% - Fuel 4% - Industry 50% - Transportation

5. Sulfur Dioxide – SO 2 O Forms sulfuric acid in the air, then acid rain O 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 damage O Accumulates in tissue

7. Ozone – O 3 O Very harmful at ground level (tropospheric) O Lung disorders, asthma, bronchitis

8. Air Toxics and Radon O Radioactive materials like radon O Toxics like asbestos, benzene, etc. O Mining remnants

Primary and Secondary Pollutants O Primary Pollutants: enter directly into air O Particulate Matter O Carbon Monoxide and Dioxide O Nitrogen Oxides O Sulfur Dioxide O VOC’s and other hydrocarbons O Chlorine

Primary and Secondary Pollutants O Secondary Pollutants: pollutants that form from primary pollutants. O Nitric Acid O Sulfuric Acid O Ozone O PANs