Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Definition

  • Colorless, odorless gas

  • Produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels

• Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust

  • Industrial processes

  • Tobacco smoke

  • Wildfires

• Environmental Impact

  • Air pollution

  • Greenhouse gas

  • Harmful to human health

  • Contributes to climate change

• Health Effects

  • Headaches

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Death in high concentrations

• Prevention and Control

  • Properly maintain vehicles

  • Use clean energy sources

  • Install carbon monoxide detectors

  • Improve ventilation in indoor spaces

• Regulations

  • Emission standards for vehicles and industries

  • Public awareness campaigns

  • International agreements to reduce emissions

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

• Definition:

  • Colorless gas with a pungent odor.

• Sources:

  • Combustion of fossil fuels,

  • Volcanic eruptions

  • Industrial processes.

• Environmental Impact:

  • Acid rain

  • Air pollution

  • Harm to vegetation.

• Health Effects:

  • Respiratory issues

  • Aggravation of asthma

  • Eye irritation

• Prevention and Control:

  • Use of cleaner fuels

  • Scrubbers in industries.

• Regulations:

  • Regulated by the Clean Air Act

  • Emission limits in various countries.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Mindmap of Nitrogen Oxides

• Definition:

  • Highly reactive gases.

• Sources:

  • Combustion processes

  • Vehicles

  • Industrial activities

• Environmental Impact:

  • Acid rain

  • Smog

  • Eutrophication.

• Health Effects:

  • Respiratory issues

  • Lung damage.

• Prevention and Control:

  • Catalytic converters

  • Emission controls

• Regulations:

  • EPA Clean Air Act

  • Emission standards.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate Matter

• Definition:

  • Small solid or liquid particles suspended in the air

• Sources:

  • Combustion process

  • Industrial activities

  • Vehicle emissions

• Environmental Impact:

  • Air pollution

  • Climate change

  • Ecosystem damage

• Health Effects:

  • Respiratory issues

  • Cardiovascular diseases

  • Cancer

• Prevention and Control:

  • Use of filters

  • Emission controls

  • Reducing fossil fuel consumption

• Regulations:

  • Set by environmental agencies to limit emissions and protect public health

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

• Definition:

  • Organic chemicals that evaporate easily

• Sources:

  • Industrial processes

  • Vehicles

  • Solvents

• Environmental Impact:

  • Air pollution

  • Smog formation

• Health Effects:

  • Respiratory issues

  • Headaches.

• Prevention & Control:

  • Use of low-VOC products

  • Proper ventilation

• Regulations:

  • Regulated by EPA limits on emissions

Lead (Pb)

• Definition:

  • Toxic heavy metal

• Sources:

  • Paint

  • Water

  • Soil

• Environmental Impact:

  • Soil contamination

  • Water pollution

• Health Effects:

  • Neurological damage

  • Developmental issues

• Prevention and Control:

  • Lead-free products

  • Proper disposal

• Regulations:

  • EPA guidelines Lead abatement laws

Ozone (O3)

• Definition:

  • A gas composed of three oxygen atoms.

• Sources:

  • Natural (stratosphere)

  • Anthropogenic (pollution)

• Environmental Impact:

  • Ozone depletion

  • Greenhouse gas

• Health Effects:

  • Respiratory issues

  • Skin problems

• Prevention and Control:

  • Reduce emissions

  • Use eco-friendly products

• Regulations:

  • Montreal Protocol

  • Clean Air Act

Methane (CH4)

• Definition:

  • Greenhouse gas, CH4

• Sources:

  • Natural gas

  • Livestock

  • Landfills

• Environmental Impact:

  • Global warming

  • Climate change

• Health Effects:

  • Asphyxiation

  • Explosion risk

• Prevention and Control:

  • Methane capture

  • Waste management

• Regulations:

  • Emission limits

  • Monitoring programs

Asbestos

• Definition:

  • Naturally occurring mineral used in construction

• Sources:

  • Found in soil

  • Rocks

  • Building materials

• Environmental Impact:

  • Air and water pollution, harmful to wildlife.

• Health Effects:

  • Respiratory diseases

  • Cancer

• Prevention and Control:

  • Proper handling

  • Removal by professionals

• Regulations:

  • Strict guidelines for handling and disposal

Radon - 222

• Definition:

  • Radioactive gas naturally occurring from soil and rocks

• Sources:

  • Soil

  • Water

  • Building materials

• Environmental Impact:

  • Air pollution

  • Radiation

• Health Effects:

  • Lung cancer

  • Respiratory issues

• Prevention and Control:

  • Ventilation

  • Sealing cracks

• Regulations:

  • EPA guidelines

  • Testing in homes