Enviromental airborn pollutents study guide

Particulate pollution

Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air

Natural particulate pollution

Particulate pollution produced by natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and dust storms

Volcanic eruption

A natural source of particulate pollution that releases ash and other particles into the atmosphere

Health effects of particulate pollution

Particles can enter the respiratory system, cause irritation and inflammation, create breathing problems, and worsen asthma

Mold

A type of fungus that grows in moist environments and releases microscopic spores

Mold spores

Tiny reproductive particles released by mold that can become airborne and affect the respiratory system

Causes of mold growth

Excess moisture, water accumulation, high humidity, and poor ventilation

Health effects of mold

Can trigger asthma attacks and allergies, cause respiratory irritation and inflammation, and some molds can cause infections

Mold mitigation

Keep humidity low, improve ventilation, fix leaks and water damage, and dry wet areas

Industrial smog

Air pollution produced primarily by industrial activity and the burning of fossil fuels

Causes of industrial smog

Burning fossil fuels in factories, power plants, and other industrial processes

Pollutants in industrial smog

Can include sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter, and other air pollutants; CO₂ is also released by fossil

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)

A pollutant produced primarily by burning sulfur

Health effects of industrial smog

Can irritate the respiratory system, worsen breathing problems, and contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory disease

Environmental effects of industrial smog

Sulfur dioxide can contribute to acid rain, particulate pollution can reduce visibility, and carbon dioxide contributes to climate change

Industrial smog mitigation

Use cleaner energy sources, transition toward renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and use emission

Carbon monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion

Incomplete combustion

Burning a fuel without enough oxygen for complete combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide

Sources of carbon monoxide

Vehicle exhaust, wood burning, gas stoves, furnaces, generators, and other fuel

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the blood

Carboxyhemoglobin

A compound formed when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, reducing the blood's ability to transport and deliver oxygen

Health effects of carbon monoxide

Reduced oxygen delivery to tissues can cause headache, dizziness, weakness, confusion, and at high exposure levels can cause unconsciousness or death

Carbon monoxide mitigation

Use CO detectors, properly maintain fuel

Carbon monoxide detector

A device that detects elevated concentrations of carbon monoxide in the air and can provide an alarm

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce exposure to or prevent the harmful effects of a pollutant

Ventilation

The movement of fresh air into an area and contaminated or polluted air out

Natural pollutant source

A source of pollution that occurs through natural processes rather than human activity

Man

made pollutant source