Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Particulate Matter

A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.

Lead

A toxic metal that can cause various health problems, particularly detrimental to childhood development.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Gases produced from combustion that contribute to smog and acid rain.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

A colorless gas, produced from burning fossil fuels, that contributes to acid rain.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemicals that can evaporate into the air and contribute to smog.

Ozone

A reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms, which is a primary component of photochemical smog.

Photochemical Oxidants

Pollutants produced by the reaction of sunlight with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

Radon

A naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings and is linked to lung cancer.

Mold

A type of fungus that can grow in damp environments and produce allergens.

Dust

Fine particles of matter that can be suspended in the air and affect indoor air quality.

Asbestos

A heat-resistant fibrous material that can cause lung diseases when inhaled.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, tasteless gas that is poisonous to humans and animals, produced by incomplete combustion.

Methane (CH₄)

A potent greenhouse gas produced from organic matter decomposition and fossil fuel extraction.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A greenhouse gas produced by respiration, combustion, and decomposition.

Clean Air Act

A U.S. law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to protect public health.

Noise Pollution

Harmful or annoying levels of noise that can cause stress and hearing loss.

Primary Air Pollutant

Pollutants directly emitted from a source, such as CO2 or NOx.

Secondary Air Pollutant

Pollutants that form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions, like ozone.

Photochemical Smog

A type of smog formed by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants like NOx and VOCs.

Temperature Inversion

A weather phenomenon where warm air traps pollutants close to the ground.

Electrostatic Precipitator

An air pollution control device that uses electrostatic forces to remove particles from exhaust.

Scrubbers

Devices that use a liquid to remove pollutants from industrial emissions.

Catalytic Converters

Devices that convert harmful gases from internal combustion engines into less harmful emissions.

Vapor Recovery Nozzle

A device that captures fuel vapors during vehicle refueling to prevent air pollution.

Fluidized Bed Combustion

A clean technology for burning solid fuels in which the fuel is suspended by air and burned evenly.

Limestone

A type of bedrock that can neutralize acid rain's effect on bodies of water.

Acid Deposition

The falling of acids from the atmosphere to the ground, primarily from vehicular emissions and fossil fuel combustion.

Sulfuric Acid

A strong acid formed from sulfur dioxide, a significant component of acid rain.

Nitric Acid

An acid formed from nitrogen oxides, also contributing to acid rain.