72. Air Pollution

1. Incomplete Combustion

When hydrocarbons burn without enough oxygen, incomplete combustion occurs. This produces carbon monoxide and particulates (soot).

• Particulates (Soot): Solid particles of carbon.

  • Respiratory Problems: If inhaled, they can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage.

  • Global Dimming: They can form dark clouds or smog that reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of light reaching Earth.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO): A toxic gas.

  • Health Risk: It binds to hemoglobin in the blood, preventing it from carrying oxygen. This can lead to fainting, comas, or death.

  • Detection: It is particularly dangerous because it is colorless and odorless, making it very hard to detect.

2. Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides

• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2):

  • Formation: Produced when sulfur impurities in fossil fuels are oxidized during combustion.

• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):

  • Formation: Created when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react together at very high temperatures, such as inside car engines.

Impact of SO2 and NOx:

• Respiratory Health: Breathing them in can damage the lungs and cause respiratory issues.

• Acid Rain: These gases dissolve in water droplets in clouds to form dilute sulfuric or nitric acid.

  • Effects of Acid Rain: It damages buildings and statues, corrodes metals, and harms plants by damaging leaves or making the soil too acidic for growth.

Summary of Pollutants