ibess 6 air pollutants regulated under clean air act

Carbon monoxide - CO

Produced by: incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels like gasoline

Environmental effect: converts into CO2 outside

Health effect: replaces O2 in bloodstream, leading to suffocation & death (colorless & odorless)

Nitrogen oxides - NOxs

Produced by: combustion of fossil fuels at high temperatures like in cars and coal/oil/natural gas burning power plants

Environmental effects: combines with sulfur dioxide to form acid rain, forms tropospheric ozone (bad) when in the presence of sunlight & high temps, ozone creates smog through reaction between NOxs & VOCs

Health effect: respiratory issues

Sulfur dioxide - SO2

Produced by: mainly by burning coal

Environmental effect: causes acid rain w NOxs

Health effect: respiratory irritation & illness

Particulate matter (PM)

Produced by: exhaust, burning wood, smoking/vaping

Environmental effect: dusty layer, haze

Health effects: lung/respiratory issues, can cause heart attack

VOCs - Volatile Organic Compounds

Carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate into the air at room temperatures

Tropospheric Ozone - O3

Produced by: reactions between NOxs in VOCs in presence of heat & sunlight

Environmental effect: creates smog, drives global warming, impairs photosynthesis

Health effect: lung/respiratory issues

Lead (Pb)

Produced by: waste incineration, smelting, manufacturing batteries, leaded gasoline

Environmental effects: impairs photosynthesis, causes neurological issues in animals, contaminated water

Health effect: neurological issues