Major Air Pollutants

CAP- Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human derived sources:

* Combustion of fuels that contain sulfur, including coal, oil and gasoline → Combine with O2 in the atmosphere

Natural Sources:

* Sulfur content of fossilized plants
* Volcanic eruptions and forest fires

Effects and Impacts:

* Respiratory irritant, can exacerbate asthma
* Gas harms stomata/plant tissue
* Sulfuric acid (acid rain)

CAP- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human derived sources:

* ALL combustion in the atmosphere
* Motor vehicles, stationary fossil fuels

Natural Sources:

* Forest fires, lightning, microbial activity in soil

Effects and Impacts:

* Respiratory infection
* Ozone precursor
* Over-fertilization
* Nitric acid (acid rain)

CAP- Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human derived sources:

* Incomplete combustion of any kind
* Poorly ventilated cooking fires
* Bad exhaust systems

Natural Sources:

* N/A (possibly forest fires/volcanoes)

Effects and Impacts:

* Bonds to hemoglobin → affects oxygen circulation
* Headaches (low concentrations)
* Death (high concentrations)

CAP- Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5)

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human derived sources:

* Combusting coal, oil, diesel, and biofuels
* Agriculture (soil, dust)
* Road construction (soot)

Natural Sources:

* Volcanoes, forest fires, dust sources

Effects and Impacts:

* Reduce lung function
* Death
* Haze and smog
* Acidify lakes, deplete soil of nutrients

CAP- Lead (Pb)

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human derived sources:

* Gasoline additive
* Gasoline, coal, old paint

Natural Sources:

* N/A

Effects and Impacts:

* CNS
* Learning and concentration

CAP- Ozone (O3)

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human derived sources:

* Secondary pollutant- SUN + WATER + VOCs + NOx

Natural Sources:

* None in the troposphere

Effects and Impacts

* Reduces lung function
* Exacerbates respiratory problems
* Damages materials
* Degrades plant surfaces

VOCs

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human Derived Sources

* Solvents, paints, lighter fluids, perfumes
* Improper combustion of gasoline

Natural Sources

* Conifer trees

Effects and Impacts

* Precursor to ozone formation

CO2

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human Derived Sources

* Combustion of fossil fuels
* Deforestation

Natural Sources

* Cellular respiration of plants and animals

Effects and Impacts

* Climate change
* Alters ecosystems by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations

Mercury (Hg)

Human Derived Sources

Natural Sources

Effects and Impacts

Human Derived Sources

* Coal, oil gold mining

Natural Sources

* N/A

Effects and Impacts

* Impairs central nervous system
* Bioaccumulates in the food chain

SO2 prevention

* Scrubbers
* Fluidized bed combustion

NO2 prevention

* Catalytic converters
* Reducing burn temperatures and oxygen amounts
* H2O2 scrubbers

Particulate matter prevention

* Baghouse filters
* Electrostatic precipitators
* Scrubbers

CO prevention

* Carbon sequestration

Toxic metal prevention

* Catalytic reduction
* Electrostatic precipitators

Smog/VOCs reduction

* Restricting automobile use