Major Types of Air Pollution Environmental Science
Dec 24, 2015
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