6-1 Study!

Carbon oxides?

Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2)

Sulfur oxides?

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3)

Nitrogen oxides?

Nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous oxide

(N2O) (NO and NO2 often are lumped together and

labeled NOx)

What does VOC stand for and what are they?

Volatile organic compounds. Methane (CH4), propane (C3H8), chlorofluorocarbons

(CFCs)

Suspended particulate matter (SPM)?

Solid particles (dust, soot, asbestos, lead, nitrate, and

sulfate salts), liquid droplets (sulfuric acid, PCBs, dioxins, and pesticides)

Photochemical oxidants?

Ozone (O3), peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), aldehydes

Radioactive substances?

Radon-222, iodine-131, strontium-90, plutonium-239

Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which cause health effects such as cancer, birth defects, and nervous system problems

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), methyl chloride (CH3Cl), chloroform (CHCl3), benzene (C6H6), ethylene dibromide (C2H2Br2), formaldehyde (CH2O2)

Describe traits of Carbon Monoxide

Desc: Colorless, odorless gas that is poisonous to air-breathing animals;

forms during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels (2 C + O2 2

CO).

Major human sources: Cigarette smoking (p. 409), incomplete

burning of fossil fuels. About 77% (95% in cities) comes from motor vehicle exhaust.

Health effects: Reacts with hemoglobin in red blood cells and reduces the ability of

blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues. This impairs perception and

thinking; slows reflexes; causes headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea; can

trigger heart attacks and angina; ETC.

Describe Traits of Nitrogen Dioxide

Description: Reddish-brown irritating gas that gives photochemical smog its brownish color;

in the atmosphere can be converted to nitric acid (HNO3), a major component of acid

deposition.

Major human sources: Fossil fuel burning in motor vehicles (49%) and power and industrial

plants (49%).

Health effects: Lung irritation and damage; aggravates asthma and chronic bronchitis;

increases susceptibility to respiratory infections such as the

flu and common colds (especially in young children and older adults).

Environmental effects: Reduces visibility; acid deposition of HNO3 can damage trees, soils,

and aquatic life in lakes.

Property damage: HNO3 can corrode metals and eat away stone on buildings, statues, and

monuments; NO2 can damage fabrics.

Describe Traits of Sulfur Dioxide

Description: Colorless, irritating; forms mostly from the combustion of sulfur containing fossil

fuels such as coal and oil (S + O2 SO2); in the atmosphere

can be converted to sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a major component of acid deposition.

Major human sources: Coal burning in power plants (88%) and industrial processes

(10%).

Health effects: Breathing problems for healthy people; restriction of airways in people with

asthma; chronic exposure can cause a permanent condition similar to bronchitis. According to the WHO, at least 625 million people are exposed to unsafe levels of sulfur dioxide from fossil fuel burning.

Environmental effects: Reduces visibility; acid deposition of H2SO4 can damage trees, soils,

and aquatic life in lakes.

Property damage: SO2 and H2SO4 can corrode metals and eat away stone on buildings, statues, and monuments; SO2 can damage paint, paper, and leather.

Describe Traits of Suspended Particulate Matter

Description: Variety of particles and droplets (aerosols) small and light enough to remain

suspended in atmosphere for short periods (large particles) to long periods

(small particles; Figure 20-6, p. 441); cause smoke, dust, and haze.

Major human sources: Burning coal in power and industrial plants (40%), burning diesel and

other fuels in vehicles (17%), agriculture (plowing, burning off fields), unpaved roads,

construction.

Health effects: Nose and throat irritation, lung damage, and bronchitis; aggravates bronchitis and asthma; shortens life; toxic particulates (such as lead, cadmium, PCBs, and dioxins) can cause mutations, reproductive problems, cancer.

Environmental effects: Reduces visibility; acid deposition of H2SO4 droplets can

damage trees, soils, and aquatic life in lakes.

Property damage: Corrodes metal; soils and discolors buildings, clothes, fabrics, and paints.

Describe Traits of Ozone

Description: Highly reactive, irritating gas with an unpleasant odor that forms in the troposphere as a major component of photochemical smog

Major human sources: Chemical reaction with volatile organic compounds (VOCs, emitted

mostly by cars and industries) and nitrogen oxides to form photochemical smog

Health effects: Breathing problems; coughing; eye, nose, and throat irritation; aggravates chronic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease; reduces resistance to colds and pneumonia; may speed up lung tissue aging.

Environmental effects: Ozone can damage plants and trees; smog can reduce visibility.

Property damage: Damages rubber, fabrics, and paints.

Describe Traits of Lead

Description: Solid toxic metal and its compounds, emitted into the atmosphere as particulate

matter.

Major human sources: Paint old houses), smelters (metal refineries), lead manufacture, storage batteries, leaded gasoline (being phased out in developed countries).

Health effects: Accumulates in the body; brain and other nervous system damage and mental

retardation (especially in children); digestive and other health problems; some lead-containing

chemicals cause cancer in test animals.

Environmental effects: Can harm wildlife.