06 Air Pollution

Air Pollution

Means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air

Air Pollutant

Any matter found in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the inert gases in their natural or normal concentrations that is detrimental to health or the environment

Ambient air quality

The general amount of pollution present in a broad area and refers to the atmosphere's average purity

Ambient Air

The air around us

Primary Pollutants

Released directly from the source into the air in a harmful form

Secondary Pollutants

Converted to a hazardous form after they enter the air or are formed by chemical reactions

Fugitive Emissions

Those that do not go through a smoke stack

Criteria Pollutants

Pollutants that contributed the largest volume of air quality degradation and are considered the most serious threats to human health and welfare

Sulfur Dioxide

A colorless corrosive gas directly damaging to both plants and animals

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Highly reactive gases formed when nitrogen in fuel or in air is heated to temperatures above 650°C in the presence of oxygen

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless, nonirritating, but highly toxic gas

Ozone (O₃)

A product of photochemical reactions between other pollutants

Photochemical Oxidants

A general term for products of these reactions

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemicals that evaporate easily or exist as gases in the air

Aerosols

Very fine solid or liquid particulates suspended in the atmosphere

Lead

The most abundantly produced metal air pollutant

Particulate Matter

Solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in a gaseous medium

PM2.5

Very fine particulates smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that can be drawn into the lungs

PM10

Coarse inhalable particles larger than 2.5 micrometers but less than 10 micrometers in diameter

Mercury (Hg)

Toxic in minute doses causing nerve damage and other impairments

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Nontoxic and innocuous at normal concentrations but atmospheric levels are steadily increasing

Halogens

Lightweight highly reactive elements that are powerful greenhouse gases

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

A special category of toxins monitored by the US EPA because they are particularly dangerous

Aesthetic Degradation

Any undesirable change in the physical characteristics or chemistry of the atmosphere

Indoor Air Pollution

Concentrations of toxic air pollutants that are often higher indoors than outdoors

Temperature Inversions

A stable layer of warmer air lies above cooler air and prevents convection currents from dispersing pollutants

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Stratospheric ozone concentrations over the South Pole were dropping precipitously due to chlorine-based aerosols

Bronchitis

A persistent inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles that causes mucus buildup and a painful cough

Emphysema

An irreversible chronic obstructive lung disease in which airways become permanently constricted and alveoli are damaged

Acid Precipitation

The deposition of wet acidic solutions or dry acidic particles from the air

Air Pollution Control Facilities (APCF)

Structure or installation controlling the quality of emissions of air pollution source equipment

Particulate Removal

Filtering air emissions

Sulfur Removal

Switching from soft coal with a high sulfur content to low sulfur coal to reduce sulfur emissions

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Control

Reduced by carefully controlling the flow of air and fuel

Hydrocarbon Controls

Mainly involve complete combustion or controlling evaporation

Saving Energy and Reducing Pollution

Conserve energy by carpooling, biking, walking, using public transport, and buying energy efficient appliances