Pollution Types, Causes, Concerns, and Solutions

Ozone (Ambient Air)

O3; Forms when other air pollutants react with sunlight.

Ozone (Stratosphere)

O3; When pollutants in atmosphere react with sunlight.

Nitrogen Oxides

NOx; Produced by vehicles, power plants burning fossil fuels, and coal burning stoves.

Sulfur Dioxides

SO2; Emitted from coal burning power plants, industries, coal burning stoves, and volcanoes.

Lead

Pb; Resulting from leaded fuel and metal refineries.

Carbon Monoxide

CO; Emitted by motor vehicles, power plants burning fossil fuels, and kerosene or wood burning stoves.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Includes paint, perfumes, nail polish, CFCs, and car exhaust.

Carbon Dioxide

CO2; Produced by volcanoes, motor vehicles, power plants burning fossil fuels, and forest fires.

NMHC (Nonmethane hydrocarbons)

Produced from fossil fuel burning.

SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter)

Generated by diesel engines, power plants, industries, windblown dust, and wood stoves.

CFCs (Chlorofluoro-carbons)

Used in motor vehicles, refrigerants, and cleaning products.

Mercury

Hg; Released from burning fossil fuels.

Lung damage

A health concern associated with ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, and SPM.

Eye irritation

A health concern associated with ozone, sulfur dioxides, and SPM.

Respiratory problems

A health concern associated with ozone and VOCs.

Brain and kidney damage

A health concern associated with lead exposure.

Headaches

A health concern associated with carbon monoxide.

Increases the greenhouse effect

A concern associated with ozone, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

Deplete the ozone layer

A concern associated with VOCs and CFCs.

Reduce car emissions

A solution to mitigate pollution from various sources.

Utilize nuclear energy

A solution proposed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Reduce reliance on coal

A solution to mitigate pollution from sulfur dioxides.

Recycle metals

A solution to reduce the need for refining and pollution from sulfur dioxides.