Air pollution quiz

Describe Carbon Monoxide

A colorless odorless gas. Comes from the incomplete combustion of fuel

Carbon Monoxide Sources

Burning wood

Is Carbon Monoxide a primary or secondary pollutant?

Primary pollutant

What are the health effects of Carbon Monoxide?

Headaches and drowsiness, possibly death

What actions have been taken to mitigate the hazards of Carbon Monoxide

Catalytic converters in cars

What are the environmental effects of Sulfur Dioxide

Acid Rain

Describe Sulfur Dioxide

A Colorless gas

What is a source for Sulfur Dioxide

Combustion of coal for energy

Is Sulfur Dioxide a primary or secondary pollutant?

Primary

What is a health effect of Sulfur Dioxide

Respiratory problems such as asthma

What actions have been taken to mitigate the hazards of Sulfur Dioxide?

Wet scrubbers on coal smoke stacks capture sulfur dioxide.

What are the environmental effects of NOX: Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Nitric Oxide (NO)

Acid rain and smog

Describe NOX

Highly reactive, foul smelling, reddish brown gas

What is a source of NOX

Source includes combustion of engines

Is NOX a primary or secondary pollutant

Primary pollutant, NO2 can be secondary

What are the health hazards of NOX?

Respiratory problems such as asthma

What actions have been taken to mitigate the hazardous effects of NOX?

Smog checks

What are the environmental effects of Tropospheric Ozone?

Crop damage

Describe Tropospheric Ozone

Pollutant in the troposphere

What are the sources for Tropospheric Ozone?

Source includes Sun+Heat+Nox+VOC’s= Ozone

Is Tropospheric ozone a primary or secondary pollutant?

Secondary pollutant

What are the health issues associated with Tropospheric Ozone?

Respiratory problems such as asthma

What actions have been taken to mitigate the effects of Tropospheric Ozone?

Emission standards have helped reduce tropospheric ozone

Describe Particulate Matter

Very fine particles such as dust and pollen

What is a source of Particulate matter

Source includes construction

What are the health hazards associated with Particulate Matter

Respiratory problems such as asthma

Is particulate matter a primary or secondary pollutant?

Primary AND secondary pollutant

What actions have been taken to mitigate the hazardous effects of Particulate Matter?

Dust control in construction

What are the environmental effects of Lead?

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification in food chain

Describe Lead

Heavy metal

What are the sources of lead?

Leaded gasoline

Is Lead a primary or secondary pollutant?

Primary

What are the health effects of Lead?

Neurological damage

What actions have been taken to mitigate the hazardous effects of Lead?

Ban on leaded gas in the United States

Describe VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Carbon chemicals such as butane

Sources of VOC’s

Perfume

Are VOC’s primary or secondary pollutants?

Primary

Health effects of VOC’s

Overloads immune system, Cancer

What actions have been taken to mitigate the hazardous VOC’s

Air filters and ventilations masks

Describe Toxic Air Pollutants

Many airborne toxins such as heavy metals

What is a source of Toxic Air Pollutants?

Sources include metal smelting

Is Toxic Air Pollutants a primary or secondary pollutant?

A primary AND secondary pollutant

What health problems are associated with Toxic Air Pollutants?

Reproductive defects

What actions have been taken to mitigate the hazardous Toxic Air Pollutants?

Clean Air Act regulations

What environmental effects are associated with hydrocarbons?

Plant damage

Describe Hydrocarbons

Formed from the incomplete combustion of automobile fuel. Helps form other air pollutants

Are Hydrocarbons a primary or secondary source

Primary AND secondary

What are the health effects of Hydrocarbons?

Cancer

What actions have been taken to mitigate Hydrocarbons?

Catalytic converters

Describe Sulfuric and Nitric Acid

components of acid rain

What is the source for Hydrocarbons?

Gasoline

Is Sulfuric and Nitric Acid a primary or secondary pollutant?

Secondary

Health effects of Sulfuric and Nitric Acid

Severe burns to eyes and lungs

What actions have been taken to mitigate Sulfuric and Nitric Acid

Wet scrubbers