APES Unit 7.1 and 7.6

Primary pollutant

A substance that is directly emitted into the atmosphere and causes air pollution, such as carbon monoxide or sulfur dioxide.

Secondary pollutant

A substance that is not directly emitted but forms in the atmosphere through chemical reactions between primary pollutants and other atmospheric components, such as ozone or particulate matter.

Sulfur Oxide

A group of chemical compounds, primarily sulfur dioxide (SO2 or SOx), that can contribute to air pollution and acid rain.

Power plants emit a lot of this, due to coal combustion

Caused respiratory issues

Nitrogen Oxide

A group of chemical compounds, primarily nitrogen dioxide (NO2, NOx), that contribute to air pollution (photochem smog) and the formation of ground-level ozone and acid rain.

They are produced from vehicle emissions and industrial processes, leading to respiratory problems.

CO

A colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and O3(ozone), contributing to air pollution and posing serious health risks.

Lethal to humans

Ozone

tropsheric, the photochemical oxidation fo NO2

Causes repiratory issues

smog

plant damage

only secondary pollutant part of the CAA

Lead

A heavy metal that is a toxic pollutant, primarily emitted from industrial activities and leaded gasoline and paint, harmful to human health

Neurotoxin

Carbon Dioxide

not part of the Clean Air Act

part of reparations, decomposition, and volcanic ash

does not directly lower air quality for humans

green house gas

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature and can evaporate easily into the air, contributing to air pollution and health risks.

• often have strong smells, often found in everyday products like paint, cleaning supplies, pine trees, cosmetics and can affect your health negatively 

Particulate matter

tiny solid or liquid particles in the air that can cause health problems and environmental harm.

Clear Air Act (CAA)

regulates many air pollutants, mainly 6, particularly lead in fuel, leading to a dramatic decrease

allows epa to set acceptable levels for criteria air pollutants

Regulatory method

• sulfur dioxide

• nitrogen oxides

• carbon monoxide

• particulate matter

• ozone

• lead

Catalytic converter

A device in a vehicle's exhaust system that reduces harmful emissions by converting pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into less harmful substances.

CAFE Vehicle standards: Corporate Average fuel Economy

Regulations aimed at improving the average fuel efficiency of vehicles produced by manufacturers.

• Standards require the entire US fleet of vehicles to meet certain average fuel, requires Vehicle manufacturers to work to make more efficient vehicles

• This caused less gasoline to be burned, releasing less NOx, PM, CO & CO2

Vapor Recovery Nozzle

• on gasoline pumps, capture fumes released from gasoline during refueling

  • Reduces vocs, and carcinogens

Electrostatic precipitators

remove particulates before they leave a coal burning power plant smokestack

• Gives emissions a neg charges, neg charged particles stick to pos charged plates inside

• Plates discharges for disposal

Scrubbers

• remove particulates to keep them out of the atmosphere

  • Dry : NOx, SOx, VOCs

  • Wet : all plus PM