Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources

Atmospheric pollutants from fuels

  • Complete Combustion: Occurs when there is plenty of oxygen.

    • Carbon oxidises to carbon dioxide H2O

    • Hydrogen oxidises to water vapour H20

  • Incomplete Combustion: Occurs when there is insufficient oxygen.

    • Instead of fully oxidising, it produces carbon monoxide CO or particulates of soot (unburnt carbon atoms), alongside unburnt hydrocarbons are released

Pollutant

How it is Produced

Major Environmental / Health Problems

Carbon Dioxide

Complete combustion of any fuel containing carbon.

* Greenhouse gas that causes global climate change.

Carbon Monoxide

Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.

* Toxic gas that is colourless and odourless, making it difficult to detect.


* Binds to haemoglobin in the blood, reducing its capacity to carry oxygen around the body.

Soot / Particulates

Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.

* Causes global dimming by reflecting sunlight back into space.


* Causes respiratory problems and lung damage in humans.

Sulfur Dioxide

Oxidation of sulfur impurities present in fossil fuels (especially coal) during combustion.

* Dissolves in rainwater to cause acid rain (damages buildings, kills aquatic life and trees).


* Causes respiratory problems in humans.

Nitrogen Oxides

Reaction of nitrogen and oxygen from the air at the very high temperatures inside vehicle engines.

* Dissolves in rainwater to cause acid rain.


* Causes respiratory problems and triggers asthma.