air pollution

how does carbon monoxide contribute to air pollution/ affect our respiratory system

if breathed in it diffuses into our blood and binds to haemoglobin in the same place that oxygen binds, meaning that our haemoglobin carries less oxygen and less oxygen gets transported around the body leading to fainting, coma or death

it’s also very hard to detect as it’s both colourless and odourless

how are particulates formed

formed from incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon which forms carbon monoxide and particulates

what are particulates

solid particles of carbon otherwise known as soot

how are particulates bad

if inhaled they can get stuck in your lungs and damage them leading to respiratory problems

they can form dark clouds called smog, that reflect sunlight back into space so less sunlight reaches earth (global dimming)

how is sulfur dioxide formed

when hydrocarbons containing impurities such as sulfur get burned and so the sulfur gets oxidised to form sulfur dioxide gas

how are nitrogen oxides formed

when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react however it doesn’t normally happen as it needs higher temps however these high temps are reached in internal combustion of cars

how do sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides cause air pollution

when we breathe them in they damage our lungs and cause respiratory problems

when they mix with clouds they dissolve to form dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid which falls as acid rain which damages buidings and corrodes metals but more importantly :

damages plants by changing the pH of the soil or making the soil more acidic