Air Pollutants #1 - APES Flashcards

5487449561	NOx	Comes from burning FF's at high heat (esp. vehicles), is a respiratory irritant, controlled by a catalytic converter, and can lead to formation of O3 (photochemical smog)	0
5487458920	SO2	Comes from burning FF's or biomass, is a respiratory irritant, is the biggest source of acid deposition, contributes to industrial smog, and can be decreased by wet scrubbers in coal plant smokestacks.	1
5487463486	CO2	Greenhouse gas that is the main contributor to climate change observed since the Industrial Revolution. Only recently declared a pollutant that the EPA can regulate.	2
5487473861	Particulate Matter	Comes from road dust, agricultural loose soil, burning FF's, forest fires, and road construction. (smaller is more dangerous) Is reduced by electrostatic precipitators in coal plant smokestacks.	3
5487536455	Lead	Has dramatically decreased in the air since the U.S. banned it from gasoline but is still found in the soil in many places as a result of its use as an additive. Can cause serious neurological impacts, especially in the developing brains of children as well as other health effects.	4
5487616386	Carbon monoxide	Comes from incomplete combustion of FF's or biomass and can be reduced by Can also be a dangerous indoor air pollutant that can be fatal.	5
5487620959	VOC's	Comes from burning FF's, gasoline fumes, paint and other smelly products, some trees (i.e. scent of many conifers). Can lead to the formation of O3 (photochemical smog)	6
5487711870	Ozone	Comes from the photochemical reaction of two primary outdoor air pollutants in the presence of sunlight. Severe respiratory irritant and can damage plants.	7
5487756741	Radon	Comes from the natural radioactive decay of uranium in the bedrock. If it accumulates due to a crack in foundation or poor seals on sump-pump it can lead to lung cancer.	8
5492125883	Industrial Smog	Consists of particulate matter (dark soot), SO2, H2SO4 and occurs in or downwind of areas with lots of coal-burning power plants.	9
5492203148	Photochemical Smog	Red-brown air pollution that consists of NOx and O3 as well as other oxidants. It requires sunlight,, NOx, and VOC's for the O3 to be created.	10
5492209156	Acid Deposition	Economically, it can damage buildings/statues, harm fisheries, and cause crop damage. Ecologically, it can directly harm organisms, can leach dangerous metals from soil and rock that also harm organisms, and can leach nutrients from the soil.	11