Air Quality Terms and Definitions

Ozone

A colorless gas that is formed when pollutants react with sunlight and that is a major part of smog.

Carbon Dioxide

A colorless, odorless gas formed during breathing, combustion, and decaying that adds to the greenhouse effet.

chlorofluorocarbons

Chemicals used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners that can harm the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere and add to the greenhouse effect.

Fossil Fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas formed from the remains of ancient plant and animal life.

Pollution

Impurities in the air, water and land that create an unclean enviornment.

Ambient Air

Outdoor Air

Particle Matter

Specks of solid or liquid matter, including dust, smoke, fumes, spray, and mist.

Photochemical Process

The chemical changes resulting in smog brought about by the energy of the sun acting on air pollutants.

Smoke

The gaseous products and small carbon particles resulting from incomplete combusion

Air Pollution

The soiling of the atmosphere by contaminants to the point that may injure health, property, plant or animal life, or prevent the use and enjoyment of the outdoors.

Atmosphere

The whole mass of air surrounding the Earth.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Containments that can help form ozone near the ground and can be harmful to health.

Nitrogen Oxides

Gases that form when nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere are burned with fossil fuels at high tempuratures.

Stratosphere

The layer of air that extends from about 10 to 30 miles above the earths surface.

Smog

The ground level haze resulting from the suns effect on air pollutants.