Quiz 4 Environmental Health

primary air pollutants

emitted directly by sources of pollution

secondary air pollutants

generated from atmospheric chemical reactions of primary pollutants

smog

mixture of air pollutants produced by chemical reactions in the air

acute effects of air pollution

aching lungs, pneumonia, asthma

chronic effects of air pollution

heart disease, lung cancer, skin cancer

composition of air

76% nitrogen, 23% oxygen, 1% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide

stationary sources of air pollution

electricity plants, factories and manufacturing companies

mobile sources of air pollution

cars,airplanes,ships

components of air polution

sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide

acid rain

precipitation of acidic compounds formed when components of air pollution interact with water

temperature inversion

a warm layer of air stalls above a layer of cool air and causes pollutants to build up

ionizing radiation

x-ray machines, cosmic rays, uranium, radon

alpha particles

positively charged and made up of two protons and two neutrons

beta particles

more penetrating than alpha particles but less damaging

gamma rays

radiation hazard for the entire body

stochastic effects

low levels of exposure to radiation over long periods of time

deterministic effects

acute effects of radiation

hormesis

non-nutritional toxic substances that may be beneficial at low doses

radon

class a carcinogen from mining, subways, and radiation

nonionizing radiation

powerlines, radio waves, uv radiation