Major Air Pollutants

Air pollutants. Important for the AP test!

148345347	Industrial smog	Smog from industrial pollution and fossil fuel combustion. Steps: 1. C + O2 = CO2 or CO 2. S + O2 = SO2 3. SO2 + O2 = SO3 4. SO3 + H2O = H2SO4 5. H2SO4 + NH3 = (NH4)2SO4
148345348	Photochemical smog	Smog that is catalyzed by UV radiation and tends to be nitrogen-based. NO + VOCs + O2 + uv = O3 + PANs
148345349	Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)	Formed from burning of fossil fuels. Forms nitric acid (HNO3) in the air and contributes to acid rain and cultural eutrophication.
148345350	Ozone (O3)	Formed from sunlight reacting with NOx and VOCs in the air. A major component of photochemical smog.
148348852	Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PAN)	Hydrocarbons, oxygen, and nitrogen dioxide combined by ultraviolet radiation. (hydrocarbons + O2 + NO2 + light = CH3COOONO2 (PAN)) They transport unstable compounds such as radicals and NO2 away from urban and industrial areas.
148348853	Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)	Formed from burning of high-sulfur fossil fuel, smelting of metals, and paper manufacturing. Contributes to acid rain. Clean Air Act helped the level of this pollutant decrease significantly in US.
148348854	Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10)	Include smoke, dust, diesel soot, lead, and asbestos. Main cause of health problems. Cause lung irritation and damage.
148348855	Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)	Over 600 types of organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure. Found in paints, aerosol sprays, dry-cleaning fluids, and industrial solvents. Cause respiratory irritation and damage.