air pollution

atmosphere

a sea of air that surrounds the earth

troposphere

lowest layer of the atmosphere

tropopause

the boundary between the troposphere and upper layer

stratosphere

second layer of the atmosphere

stratopause

the boundary between the stratosphere and upper layer

air pollution

the presence of chemicals in the air in quantities and durations that are harmful to the environment and human health

primary pollutant

a harmful substance emitted directly in that form

smog

air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog

thermal inversion

a process which occurs when a layer of cold air temporarily trapped near the ground by a warmer, upper layer

dust domes

phenomena created when pollutants including soot trapped in urban air through thermal inversions

indoor air pollution

air pollution found inside buildings and cars

radon

common indoor pollutant; a radioactive gas that comes from the ground through cracks in the foundation

formaldehyde

common indoor pollutant; a volatile organic compound (VOC) found in plywood, particle board, paneling, drapes, upholstery, dry-cleaned clothing

asbestos

common indoor pollutant; a heat-resistant mineral that does not burn or conduct electricity

carbon monoxide

common indoor pollutant; the product of incomplete combustion of wood, gas, coal, natural gas, and kerosene; has no smell

aesthetic degradation

undesirable changes in physical or chemical characteristics of the atmosphere

electromagnetic spectrum

the range of wavelengths of electromagnetic energy

polar vortex

a large area of cold air surrounding the Earth’s poles

pH

a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is

acid deposition

acid rain + acid snow + acid particles