Unit 7 Air Pollution Review Flashcards

Flashcards to review key vocabulary and concepts about air pollution, primary and secondary pollutants, chemical compounds, the Clean Air Act, photochemical smog, thermal inversions, acid deposition, indoor air pollutants, noise pollution, and methods for air pollutant reduction, as discussed in the lecture.

Primary Pollutant

A pollutant directly emitted from a source, such as NO2 from a car.

Secondary Pollutant

A pollutant not directly emitted from a source, but formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions, such as ozone (O3) formed from NO2.

Primary Pollutant

A pollutant directly emitted from a source, such as NO2 from a car.

Secondary Pollutant

A pollutant not directly emitted from a source, but formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions, such as ozone (O3) formed from NO2.

SOx (Sulfur Oxides)

Air pollutants mainly from power plant coal burning (e.g., sulfur dioxide).

NOx (Nitrogen Oxides)

Air pollutants from coal-burning power plants and cars (e.g., nitrogen dioxide).

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

A naturally occurring compound from respiration, decomposition, and volcanoes, can cause climate change.

Toxic Metals

Released through combustion of coal; includes lead and mercury, which are toxic to nervous systems.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Air pollutant from combustion of coal, cigarette smoke, and wood fires.

Clean Air Act (CAA)

A United States federal law to regulate six major air pollutants and lead in gasoline.

Photochemical Smog (Smog)

Formed when NOx chemicals react with sunlight and VOCs.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Chemicals found in gasoline, formaldehyde, varnishes, paint, nail polish, perfume, and tree sap that easily evaporate at room temperature.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) reaction with sunlight

NO2 reacts with sunlight to break apart into NO and an oxygen radical, which then binds with O2 to create ozone (O3).

Ozone (O3) reaction with Nitric Oxide (NO)

O3 reacts with NO once the sun goes down to degrade and revert back to oxygen gas (O2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Photochemical Oxidants

Created when VOCs combine with NO, preventing NO from reacting with O3 and leading to smog formation.

Thermal Inversion

Atmospheric condition where warm air traps cold air close to the Earth's surface, trapping pollution.

Acid Deposition

Both acid rain and dry deposition (particulate acid) due to nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides mixing with water vapor.

Indoor Air Pollutants (Natural Sources)

Radon, mold, dust particulates, and asbestos.

Indoor Air Pollutants (Man-Made Sources)

Insulation, VOCs from furniture and carpets, formaldehyde, and lead in paint.

Radon

A radioactive gas from uranium decaying, can leak into homes and cause lung damage and cancer.

Noise Pollution

High levels of noise that can cause hearing loss and physiological stress in humans and animals.

Catalytic Converters

Component of vehicles that convert NOx chemicals and carbon monoxide into less harmful chemicals.

Vapor Recovery Nozzles

Found on gasoline pumps, capture fumes before release into the atmosphere.

Scrubbers

Used to remove particulates through water, often at coal-fired power plants.

Electrostatic Precipitators

Use static to remove particulates, often used in smokestacks at power plants burning coal.