APES - Air Pollution

Air Pollution

the contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural sources

Primary Pollutants

pollutants that are put directly into the air by human or natural activity.

Secondary Pollutants

sulfur oxides

(SOx) Primary source is coal burning. Primary and secondary effects include acid deposition, respiratory irritation, plant damage. Reduction methods include: scrubbers, burn low sulfur fuel.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

a colorless, odorless toxic flammable gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

One of the greenhouse gases produced from burning of fossil fuels and also from cellular respiration

stationary sources

non-moving sources of pollution, such as factories.

moving sources

pollution sources that are mobile, such as cars

point source pollution

Pollutants discharged from a single identifiable location (e.g., pipes, ditches, channels, sewers, tunnels, containers of various types).

non-point source pollution

pollution that comes from many sources rather than from a single, specific site

criteria pollutants

pollutants judged to pose especially great threats to human health

tropospheric ozone

ground level ozone; is considered bad because it is closer to the earth making it more likely for someone to breathe it in. It is also more dangerous because it is made up of particulate matter.

stratospheric ozone

good ozone that keeps out ultraviolet radiation

industrial smog (grey smog)

smog resulting from emissions from industry and other sources of gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels, especially coal.

photochemical smog

A brownish haze that is a mixture of ozone and other chemicals, formed when pollutants react with each other in the presence of sunlight

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

chemicals that have the potential to destroy the ozone; ex.) hair-spray, refrigeration, etc.

ozone loss

ozone loss comes from chemical reactions with ozone and Cl and sunlight. the most sunlight for the arctic comes in sept-oct. allows UV thru to melt the ice caps

acid precipitation

Conversion of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to acids that return to Earth as rain, snow, or fog

dry acid particle deposition

Acid particles that come from cars and coal burning

wet deposition

acid deposition in the form of rain or snow

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Standards established by the EPA and required by The Clean Air Act (last amended in 1990) for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment.

catalytic converter

a device that reduces carbon monoxide emissions from vehicles.

CAFE

Corporate Average Fuel Economy

VOCs (Volatile organic compounds)

Hydrocarbon solvents used in paints, stains and other products that are released into the air during the application of coatings and react with nitrous oxides and sunlight to form ozone.

sick building syndrome

a buildup of toxic pollutants in an airtight space, seen in newer buildings