Common Ambient Air Pollutants - IMPACT

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

out competes O2 for hemoglobin- low concentration, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, death

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

a greenhouse gas, absorbs thermal radiation and re-emits it at lower wavelengths

Tropospheric Ozone (O3)

lung damage, breathing problems, reduced resistance to colds/infections, chest pain, couching, eye irritation

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

respiratory illnesses lung disease, component of photochemical smog and acid precipitation

Sulfur Oxides (SOx)

respiratory illnesses

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, damage to kidney, liver and central nervous system

Peroxacyl Nitrates

strong respiratory and eye irritant. Potentially mutagenic. Can damage vegetation

Particulate matter

damaged lungs/respiratory diseases, eye irritation, early death

Radon

carcinogenic

Asbestos

lung cancer/mesothelioma

CFC’s

increased skin cancer rates; eye cataracts, weakened immunity

Lead (Pb)

neurological effects in children, high blood pressure and heart disease in adults, kidney damage, cancer

Mercury (Hg)

damages the nervous system and the brain “mad hatters”; toxic to nerve cells