Atmospheric Pollution and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

A collection of flashcards covering key terminology and concepts related to air pollution and stratospheric ozone depletion.

Air Pollution

The introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals, and materials or alter ecosystems.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Solid or liquid particles suspended in air, which can include dust, soot, and smoke from various sources.

Photochemical Smog

A type of smog that is dominated by oxidants such as ozone; often associated with urban areas and is formed by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

A corrosive gas that results mostly from the burning of coal and oil, contributing to both air pollution and acid rain.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Gases produced from fossil fuel combustion that contribute to ground-level ozone formation and photochemical smog.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless gas formed during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels; poses serious health risks indoors.

Secondary Pollutants

Pollutants that are not emitted directly but are formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere, such as ozone and sulfuric acid.

Indoor Air Pollution

Pollution that occurs inside buildings, often resulting from sources like tobacco smoke, household chemicals, and inadequate ventilation.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and can contribute to indoor air pollution, commonly found in paints and cleaning products.

Thermal Inversion

A meteorological phenomenon where a layer of warm air traps pollutants close to the ground, leading to air quality problems.

Ozone Depletion

The reduction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere caused by chemical pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Acid Deposition

The falling of acids and acid-forming compounds from the atmosphere to the ground, which can harm water sources and ecosystems.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty designed to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer, leading to a significant reduction in CFC emissions.

Sick Building Syndrome

A condition in which building occupants experience health issues believed to be linked to the time spent in a building, often due to poor air quality.

Radon

A naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes and is a known health hazard, particularly in certain geological areas.

Smog

A type of air pollution that combines smoke and fog, often resulting from industrial pollution and vehicular emissions.

Lead

A toxic metal that can contaminate air and accumulate in the environment; commonly associated with paint and industrial emissions.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A greenhouse gas produced from the combustion of fossil fuels; while essential for photosynthesis, excessive levels contribute to climate change.

Ozone (O3)

A molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, found in both the stratosphere (beneficial) and troposphere (harmful); acts as a secondary pollutant.

Smokestack Scrubber

A pollution control device that removes pollutants from the exhaust stream of industrial processes before they enter the atmosphere.

Toxicity

The degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals, often measured by its effects at different exposure levels.

Environmental Health

The branch of public health that focuses on how the environment influences human health, particularly concerning pollution.

What are primary pollutants?

Pollutants that are emitted directly into the air from a source. Examples: CO, SO₂, NOx, VOCs, and PM.

What are secondary pollutants?

Pollutants that form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions. Examples: Ozone (O₃), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), and nitric acid (HNO₃).

What are the six criteria pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act?

Carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM₁₀ & PM₂.₅), and ozone (O₃).

What are the main health effects of particulate matter (PM)?

Causes respiratory issues, worsens asthma, and can lead to heart disease due to fine particles entering the bloodstream.

What are common natural sources of air pollution?

Wildfires (release PM and CO), volcanoes (emit SO₂), and dust storms.

What are common anthropogenic (human-caused) sources of air pollution?

Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, burning fossil fuels, and agricultural activities (livestock methane emissions, fertilizers).

What is industrial smog, and how does it form?

"Gray smog" results from burning coal, releasing SO₂ and PM, which combine with fog.

What is photochemical smog, and how does it form?

"Brown smog" forms when NOx and VOCs react with sunlight to produce ozone (O₃) and other pollutants.

What are the main effects of photochemical smog?

Irritates eyes and lungs, worsens asthma, and damages crops.

What is a thermal inversion?

A weather condition where warm air traps cooler air and pollutants near the ground, preventing dispersion.

Why are thermal inversions dangerous?

They trap pollutants, leading to high smog levels and poor air quality.

How does acid rain form?

SO₂ and NOx react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which fall as precipitation.

What environmental harm does acid rain cause?

Acid rain lowers the pH of water bodies, harming aquatic life, leaches soil nutrients, and causes soil acidification.

What economic harm does acid rain cause?

It damages buildings and monuments, leading to increased maintenance and restoration costs.

What human health issues are associated with acid rain?

Acid rain can lead to respiratory issues and exacerbate health problems in individuals with existing conditions.

What are common indoor air pollutants?

Mold, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and VOCs.

How does radon gas enter homes, and why is it dangerous?

It seeps from the soil into basements; long-term exposure increases lung cancer risk.

What are the health risks of carbon monoxide (CO)?

Reduces oxygen in the blood, can cause headaches, dizziness, and in high doses, death.

How can indoor air pollution be reduced?

Increase ventilation, use air purifiers, avoid smoking indoors, and choose low-VOC products.

What does a catalytic converter do?

Reduces CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons from vehicle emissions.

What is the function of a scrubber in industrial settings?

Removes SO₂ from smokestack emissions to reduce acid rain formation.

What law regulates air pollution in the U.S.?

The Clean Air Act (1970, 1990), which sets air quality standards (NAAQS)

What international agreement helped phase out CFCs to protect the ozone layer?

The Montreal Protocol (1987)

How do electrostatic precipitators help control air pollution?

They use electrical charges to remove particulate matter from industrial emissions.

What is noise pollution?

Unwanted or harmful sound that disrupts human and animal life, often from traffic, industry, and urbanization.

What are the environmental impacts of noise pollution?

Noise pollution can cause distress to wildlife, disrupt animal communication, impair mating behaviors, and lead to habitat degradation. It can also affect biodiversity by altering habitat use and introducing stress in species.

What are the health effects of noise pollution?

Can cause hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbances.

What are common sources of noise pollution?

Traffic, airplanes, construction, industrial activity, and loud music.

How can noise pollution be reduced?

Use noise barriers, enforce quiet zones, plant trees, and regulate industrial noise levels.