APES unit 7

Air pollution

The introduction of chemicals, particulate matter or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations, high enough to harm organisms or alter ecosystems

Sulfur dioxide

A corrosive gas that comes primarily from combustion of fuels such as: oil, including diesel from truck trucks. Respiratory irritant, Converts to sulfuric acid in atmosphere, which hurts aquatic life

Haze

Reduced visibility

Nitrogen oxides

All combustion in the atmosphere, including fossil fuel, combustion wood and other biomass burning. Respiratory irritant and when converted to nitric acid in the atmosphere and Harms aquatic life

Carbon monoxide

Incomplete combustion of any kind, bonds to hemoglobin which interferes with oxygen transport in the bloodstream

Particulate matter

Combustion of coal oil and diesel road construction, mobilizing soil, and volcanic eruptions. Can exacerbate respiratory cardiovascular disease and reduce long function

Lead

Gasoline, additive oil and gasoline, coal, and old paint. Impaired central nervous system

Ozone

A secondary pollutant formed by the combustion of sunlight water oxygen VOCs and NOx

Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

Evaporation of fuels solvent, paints, and improper combustion of fuel, such as gasoline (precursor to form ozone)

Mercury

Coal oil and gold mining. Impairs central nervous

Carbon dioxide

Combustion of fossil fuels in clearing of land which affects climate and alters ecosystems by increasing greenhouse, gas concentrationS

Photochemical accident

A class of air pollutants formed as a result of sunlight acting on chemical compounds Such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide

Smog

A type of air pollution that is a mixture of oxygen and particulate matter

Hydrocarbons

Pollutant compounds that contain carbon hydrogen bonds, such as gasoline and other fossil fuel fuels

Primary pollutant

A polluting compound that comes directly out of a smokestack exhaust pipe or natural emission source

Secondary pollutant

A primary pollutant that has undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen or other compounds

name the primary air pollutants

VOCs, CO, CO2, SO2, NO, NO2, hydrocarbons, suspended particles

Name the secondary air pollutants

SO3, 03, HNO3

Photochemical smog

Smog that is dominated by accidents such as ozone also known as a Los Angeles type smog or brown smog

Sulfurous smog

Smog dominated by sulfur dioxide, sulfate compounds and particulate matter, also known as London, smog, grey smog or industrial smog

Formaldehyde

A naturally occurring compound that is used as a preservative and as an adhesive plywood and carpeting

Thermal in version

And atmospheric condition in which are relatively warm layer of air and mid altitude covers a layer of cold, dense air below

Inversion layer

The layer of warm air that traps emissions in a thermal inversion

List natural sources of particulates

Volcanoes forest fires or decomposition of natural resources

Indoor air pollutants

Compounds that adversely affect the quality of air in buildings and structures

Asbestos

A long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral With insulating properties, which can cause cancer when inhaled

Radon 222

A radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decay of uranium and is an indoor air pollutant

Sick building syndrome

A buildup of toxic pollutants in weatherized spaces such as newer buildings in the developed world

Where can you find VOCs In a household

Household products, such as pesticides, paints, or cleaning, fluids and furniture, carpets foam installation, and wood

Where can you find particulate matter in households

Fireplaces or wood stoves

Where can you find lead in Households

Old paint

Where can you find asbestos in houses?

Floor and ceiling tiles or Pipe insulation

Where can you find radon in households?

Rocks and soils decomposing beneath the house, can only enter the house through a cracked foundation

Where can you find carbon monoxide in households?

Leaky or unvented, gas and wood, stoves and furnaces or a car left running in a garage

Vapor recovery nozzle

A device that prevents VOCs from escaping into the atmosphere while a person is fueling their vehicle

Catalytic converter

A device that uses chemicals to convert pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide to nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide this is the most common air pollution control device

Scrubber

A device that uses a combination of lime and or water to separate and remove particles from industrial exhaust streams

Electrostatic precipitator

A device that removes particulate matter by using an electrical charge to make particles coalesce So they can be removed from the exhaust stream

pH

The relative strength of acids and bases in a sub substance a logarithmic scale

what pH does acids have?

Anything under seven

What pH does basic have?

Anything over seven

What pH is neutral

Seven

Noise pollution

Unwanted sound that interferes with normal activities that is loud enough to cause health issues, including hearing loss

Decibel a scale

A logarithmic scale that measures both the loudness of a sound in the frequency

Acid rain can occur in what forms

Snow fog, and dry materials that settle to earth

What gases contribute to acid rain formation

Nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide

What action would reduce the number of plutons that create acid rain?

Designing cleaner power plants

Name the six criteria air pollutants as specified under the clean air act

NO2, Tropospheric ozone, SO2, CO, lead, and particulate matter

Name primary air pollutants

CO and SO2

How does a primary air pollutant become part of the atmosphere

It is directly admitted from industrial facilities, vehicles, natural events, or volcanic eruptions

Identify a secondary pollutant

Ozone, acid rain

Why is ground level ozone classified as a pollutant

It hurts human health

What specific actions could the government take to reduce air pollution?

Promote renewable energy and enforced clean air act

What are the problems associated with a thinning ozone layer?

Increased UV hitting the earth

Explain the impact of the Montreal protocol

Phased out ozone, depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons in fridges and halons and fire extinguishers

Compare triple spheric, and stratospheric ozone

Trophic ozone is bad because it is closer to the ground, stratospheric ozone is good because it protects us from the suns UV rays

List sources of indoor air pollution

Combustion appliances building materials household products

List secondary pollutants involved in photochemical smog

Ozone, PAN, and aldehydes (nitrogen oxides)

Explain the relationship between VOCs And NOX, and tropospheric ozone

Tropospheric ozone forms through chemical reactions between VOCs and NOX in the presence of sunlight

Explain the relationship between lead and coal combustion

Call combustion is a significant source of lead emissions primarily released through Cole Ash

Describe CFC’s

Chloral fluorocarbons, synthetic chemicals containing chlorine, carbon, and chlorine previously used as refrigerant and aerosol propellants

Name the leading cause of ozone depletion

The release of ozone depleting substances particularly chlorofluorocarbons

Describe how a secondary air pollutant is formed within the atmosphere

When primary pollutants omitted directly from sources undergo chemical reactions with other substances in the air often involving sunlight, water or oxygen

What is temperature gradient?

The rate of change in temperature over a given distance

Describe acid deposition

The process were acidic compounds are deposited on earth surface in both wet and dry forms