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Acid
A substance that produces hydrogen ions in solution; less than 7 on the pH scale.
Acid deposition
The accumulation of acidic substances on the surface of the Earth.
Acid precipitation
Rain or snowfall that has a lower pH than normal.
Acidification
The lowering of pH of a solution.
Acute
Rapid onset and shorter duration
Air pollutant
Substances found in the atmosphere that cause harmful effects to the environment and/or humans.
Altitude
Elevation above sea level.
Ambient
The immediate surroundings
Anthropogenic
Caused by human activities
Asbestos
Heat-resistant fibrous material that is used for insulation but is harmful if inhaled.
Asphyxiant
A material that causes the victim to suffocate.
Atmosphere
The thin layer of gases that surrounds Earth.
Carbon dioxide
A colorless, odorless gas produced during respiration and by combustion of organic compounds.
Carbon monoxide
A toxic colorless, odorless gas that is produced
by incomplete combustion of organic compounds.
Carcinogen
A substance that causes cancer.
Catalytic converter
A device that reduces carbon monoxide and NOx emissions from vehicles.
Chronic
Long lasting and persistent
Clean Air Act
1970 law that set emission standards for cars and limited the release of air pollutants.
Coal
A solid dark brown or black fossil fuel used primarily for electricity generation.
Combustion
The chemical reaction of burning.
Decomposition
The process of organic matter breaking down.
Diesel fuel
A blend of petroleum refining products and mineral oil used as a fuel.
Electromagnetic spectrum
The range of wavelengths of radiation such as UV light, visible light, and infrared.
Electrostatic precipitator
A device used for removing particulates from smokestack emissions by attracting charged particles to an oppositely charged metal plate.
EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency, an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment.
Formaldehyde
An indoor air pollutant that is a colorless chemical used to manufacture building materials and many household products, such as particleboard and hardwood plywood paneling.
Fossil fuels
Coal, oil, and natural gas that are formed from the ancient remains of plants and animals.
Gasoline
Fuel produced by refining petroleum that is used for internal combustion engines.
Groundwater
Water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers.
Heavy metals
Metals of relatively high density that can be toxic to organisms in small quantities.
Hydrocarbons
Organic molecules consisting of chains of carbon and hydrogen.
Indicator species
Species that serve as early warnings that a community or ecosystem is being degraded.
Industrial smog
Type of air pollution resulting from emissions from factories and other sources due to the burning of fossil fuels.
Insulation
A substance that reduces the transfer of heat or sound.
Lead
A heavy metal air pollutant that has been greatly reduced due to its removal from gasoline, and now primarily enters the atmosphere through industrial processes.
Limestone
A hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate.
Mercury
A heavy metal air pollutant that is mainly produced through coal combustion.
Mitigation
Actions that reduce the severity of effects of something.
Mold
Fungi that are a common indoor air pollution source.
Neutralize
when an acid and a base come in contact with each other bringing the pH closer to neutral.
Nitric acid
A common component of acid precipitation that forms when NOx combine with water in the air.
Nitrous oxides
Also known as NOx, includes NO2 and NO3 that are emitted from industry and vehicles.
Noise pollution
Unwanted or potentially damaging sounds
Ozone
A gas molecule that is made up of three oxygen atoms that is formed naturally in the stratosphere but when formed in the troposphere is considered a pollutant.
PANs
Peroxyacyl nitrates, a group of chemicals that are found in photochemical smog.
Particulate Matter
Solid and liquid matter suspended in the air that reduces visibility & causes respiratory irritation.
pH scale
A range of values used to show the amount of hydrogen ions in a solution, or how acidic/basic it is.
Photochemical smog
Form of air pollution that is created from the interaction between chemicals in the air and sunlight.
Primary pollutants
Pollutants that are put directly into the air by human or natural activity.
Radioactive
Elements that spontaneously emit radiation.
Radon
A gas that occurs naturally in the soil due to the decay of Uranium and is a common indoor air pollutant.
Remediation
Containment or treatment of an area that has been contaminated.
Respiratory
Related to breathing and the lungs.
Secondary Pollutants
Pollutants that form from chemical reactions that occur when emitted pollutants come in contact with water vapor or sunlight.
Sulfur dioxide
A colorless, corrosive gas produced during the combustion of fossil fuels that is directly damaging to living things as well as a precursor to acid precipitation.
Sulfuric acid
Formed when sulfur dioxide emissions react with water vapor in the air, creating acid precipitation.
Thermal inversion
A condition that occurs when warm air traps cooler air (and pollution) at the surface of the earth.
Tropospheric ozone
A secondary pollutant formed near the surface of the Earth by the interaction of sunlight, NOx, and VOCs, which is a major component of smog that can injure living tissues and cause respiratory problems.
VOCs
Volatile Organic Compounds which are used in paints and stains and are released into the air where they react with NOx and sunlight to form ozone.
Wet scrubbers
Fine mists of water vapor used to trap air particulates in smokestacks from burning fossil fuels.
