| Term | Definition |
| Nitrogen Oxide (NO) | N2+O2---(combustion in cars)---> NO
Very reactive |
| Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) | NO+O2---->NO2
NO2 reacts with water vapor in air to produce Nitric acid (HNO3)= Acid Rain |
| NOX | Variable- cause respiratory problems like irritants to eyes & nose |
| Nitrous Oxide (N20) | Greenhouse gas
Natural source- animal waste
Human source- Fertilizers, burning of fossil fuels |
| Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) | Primary source- coal burning, oil refineries
SO2+H2O-->H2SO4 (Sulfuric acid)= Acid Rain
Highly Reactive |
| Particulates | Suspended particulate matter (SPM)
<10 Micromiters in size = 1/10,000 M
60% natural sources (Dust, Forest Fires)
40% human sources (Ag, Construction, Tobacco Smoke, exhaust) |
| Results of SPM | Irrations of eyes, nose, throat, responsible for genetic mutations (cancer), nervous system damage |
| Photochemical Ozone | O3(Chemicals)- smog
Respiratory Problems, Lung and Heart Disease, Irritations |
| VOC'S | Volatile Organic Compounds
Fumes/Ignitable
1/3 Natural Sources- Swamp gas-methine CH4
2/3 Human Sources- Oil/gas wells, gasoline, crude oil
"Flaring" |
| Radon Gas | Natural radioactive gas (RN)
Has the ability to seep into cracks in houses
Known producer of lung cancer |
| Smog | (Photochemical Response)
Chemicals suspended in the air that hits sun light and produces haze like
Human Sources- Cars |
| Industry Smog | Gray like appearance called gray air smog, induced by industry |
| Brown Air Smog | VOC's from cars+NO2+UV+photochemical ozone+heat--->SMOG |
| Acid Deposition | 1. Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
2. Nitric Acid (HNO3)
Comes down as acid rain/snow/dust
PH Range <5.6 |
| Harmful Effects of Acid Deposition | 1. Respiratory Problems
2. Leaching
3. Damage to Physical Structures
4. Wildlife Damage- direct impact of food chain |
| Leaching | Chemical removal process that leaches out toxic metals out of the ground like lead and mercury, and can leach out plant nutrients |
| Pollution from Air Pollution | 1. Nasal Hairs (filters pollutants)
2. Upper Respiratory Track- lining coated with mucous and cilia-small hairs. (sneezing & coughing) |
