Eviro. Unit 8 Lesson 1
air pollution
chemicals and other substances in the atmosphere at levels that can cause harm to people, other organisms, or ecosystems
Where are PM-2.5 particles found?
industrial smoke, forest fires, and vehicle exhaust
Where are PM-10 particles found?
road dust or dust produced by industries
emissions
substances that are discharged into the air
Carbon monoxide
- burning of fossil fuels, vehicle exhaust, industries -deprives cells of oxygen; can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and death
Select the reasons why you think the WHO says that indoor pollution is the worst type of pollution globally. Select all that apply.
-Pollutants do not readily disperse like they do outside. -Indoor pollutants quickly reach high concentrations in a smaller area.
Sulfur dioxide
-burning of coal, industries, vehicle exhaust -produces secondary pollutants; causes lung irritation
Particulate matter
-dust, soot, particles from fires, farming, and construction -affects breathing; can damage lungs
Sulfuric and nitric acids
-made when sulfur dioxides or nitrogen oxides react with water in the air -creates acid precipitation
Tropospheric ozone
-result of sunlight, heat, nitrogen oxides, and VOCs interacting together -can injure living tissues; causes breathing problems
Nitrogen dioxide
-the result of a reaction between atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen in combustion engines -causes lung irritation; contributes to smog and acid precipitation
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
-vehicle exhaust, household products, natural processes, industries -causes cancer; reacts with other chemicals to make tropospheric ozone
Select the common sources for air pollution. Select all that apply.
-volcanoes -industry -fire -vehicle exhaust
About _______% of PM is caused by natural events.
62
Why is stratospheric ozone good?
In the stratosphere, ozone is a good thing because it absorbs harmful radiation.
Why is tropospheric ozone bad?
In the troposphere, ozone contributes to photochemical smog and causes health problems.
Describe PM-10.
PM-10 refers to very small particles that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter, but greater than 2.5 micrometers in diameter.
Describe PM-2.5.
PM-2.5 particles are less than 2.5 micrometers in size.
primary pollutant
a chemical that is released directly into the air at a high enough concentration to cause harm
pollutant
a harmful chemical in the environment
secondary pollutant
a harmful chemical that forms after other chemicals react together in the atmosphere
particulate matter (PM)
a mixture of very small particles and liquid droplets in the atmosphere
