Outdoor Air Pollutants
Outdoor Air Pollutants What are the major classes of outdoor pollutants? Natural sources--- 1. dust and other suspended particles 2. Sulfur oxides from volcanoes 3. Carbon oxides and particulates from fires 4. Pollen 5. Methane and hydrogen sulfide from decay 6. Salt from oceans * Most spread out and are rarely harmful http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/ Other sources--- 1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) methane, propane, CFC 2. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) solids dust, lead, pesticides 3. Radioactive substances- radon, iodine 4. Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) can cause birth defects, cancer