Q: What is the difference between primary and secondary pollutants?
A: Primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source (e.g., CO, NOx, SO2). Secondary pollutants form when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere (e.g., ozone, acid rain).
Q: Name the six criteria air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act.
A: NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), O3 (Ozone), SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide), CO (Carbon Monoxide), PM (Particulate Matter), Pb (Lead).
Q: How does photochemical smog form?
A: It forms when NOx (nitrogen oxides) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) react in the presence of sunlight, creating tropospheric ozone (O3) and other pollutants.
Q: What causes industrial smog, and where is it most common?
A: Burning coal releases SO2, which reacts with water to form sulfuric acid and particulates. Common in China, India, and areas with heavy coal use.
Q: What is a thermal inversion, and how does it worsen air pollution?
A: A layer of warm air traps cooler air below it, preventing pollutants from dispersing, leading to higher concentrations of smog and pollutants.
Q: What are the primary causes of acid rain?
A: SO2 and NOx react with water in the atmosphere, forming sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3), which fall as precipitation.
Q: List three environmental effects of acid deposition.
A: 1) Lowers pH of water bodies, harming aquatic life.
Leaches nutrients from soil, affecting plant health.
Erodes buildings and monuments, especially limestone structures.
Q: What is the difference between PM10 and PM2.5?
A: PM10 (larger particles) can cause respiratory irritation. PM2.5 (smaller, finer particles) can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing severe health issues.
Q: Why is carbon monoxide (CO) dangerous?
A: It binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing oxygen transport, leading to dizziness, unconsciousness, and even death.
Q: What’s the difference between stratospheric and tropospheric ozone?
A: Stratospheric ozone protects from UV radiation (good ozone), while tropospheric ozone is a secondary pollutant and a component of smog (bad ozone).
Q: Name three common indoor air pollutants.
A: 1) Radon (Rn) – a radioactive gas from soil that causes lung cancer.
Formaldehyde – found in furniture, causes respiratory irritation.
Carbon monoxide (CO) – from incomplete combustion, leads to poisoning.
Q: What are the effects of noise pollution?
A: Hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, and disruption of animal communication.
Q: What is the purpose of the Clean Air Act?
A: Regulates air pollutants, establishes NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards), and reduces emissions from industries and vehicles.
Q: Name three ways to reduce air pollution from vehicles.
A: 1) Catalytic converters (reduce NOx, CO, and hydrocarbons).
Public transportation and carpooling (reduce emissions).
Electric vehicles and cleaner fuels.
Q: How can industries reduce emissions?
A: 1) Scrubbers (remove SO2).
Electrostatic precipitators (remove particulates).
Baghouse filters (trap pollutants before they escape).
Q: What was the Montreal Protocol’s main achievement?
A: It banned CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) to protect the ozone layer.
Q: How do trees help reduce air pollution?
A: Absorb CO2, filter particulates, and produce oxygen.
Q: What are VOCs, and where do they come from?
A: VOCs are chemicals that evaporate easily, found in paints, gasoline, and cleaning products, contributing to smog formation.
Q: What are the main sources of SO2 pollution?
A: Burning coal and oil, industrial processes, and volcanic eruptions.
Q: What was the main source of lead air pollution before regulation?
A: Lead-based gasoline, which was phased out by the Clean Air Act.