common ambient air pollutants (apes)

nitric acid precipitation formula

2NO2 + H2O --> HNO3 + HNO2

carbonic acid precipitation formula

CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3

impact of CO2

a greenhouse gas, CO2 absorbs thermal radiation and re-emits it at lower wavelengths.

environmental effects of CO2

absorption of heat in the troposphere/increasing global temp., water/atmospheric acidification and ecological impacts

sinks of NOx

acid deposition onto land/water NO2 + H2O --> NO + HO --> HNO2 (nitric acid) key reactant in creation of photochemical smog

photochemical smog formula

NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3 + other pollutants (mostly particulates) AKA industrial (1 degree) pollutants + heat BECOMES photochemical smog (2 degree pollutants)

nitric oxides formulas

O2 + N2 --> 2NO 2NO + O2 --> 2NO2 N2 + O2 --> NO2

source of PM/SPM

PM 10: construction sites, unpaved roads, fields smoke stakes, fires PM 2.5: fireworks, power plants, industries, automobiles, volcanoes

sink of Rn

Rn-222 decays to P0-218 then eventually to lead

environmental effect of O3

SMOG, decreased crop yields, damage to plants, traps heat, contributes to thermal inversions.

sulfuric acid precipitation formula

SO2 +H2O --> H2SO4

mitigation of Pb

banning lead gasoline

mitigation of Hg

cap and trade (ERC's)

mitigation of NOx

cap and trade allowances (ERC's) reduce combustion temperatures (high heat causes O2 + N2 --> 2NO)

mitigation of SOx

cap and trade allowances (ERC's); scrubbers

environmental impact of Hg

capable of bioaccumulation and biomagnification

CO2

carbon dioxide

CO

carbon monoxide

impact of Rn

carcinogenic

sink of SOx

cloud condensation/acid deposition (H2SO4); form particulate matter (PM)

source of Hg

coal burning power plants

source of NOx

combustion (gasoline, coal, oil). Vehicles are a major source. power plants and factories burning fossil fuels. 02 + N2 --> 2NO 2NO + O2 --> 2NO2 N2 + O2 --> NO2

source of CO2

combustion of any organic material. gasoline, petroleum, coal, natural gas, biomass, aerobic respiration.

source of SOx

combustion of coal or petroleum high in sulfur.

sink of Hg

condensation, precipitation, deposition

environmental effect of VOCs

contributes to ground level ozone and smog, climate change NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3

environmental effect of CO

contributes to ground level ozone, smog

impact of PM/SPM

damaged lungs/respiratory diseases (asthma to COPD to cancer), eye irritation, early death

impact of Hg

damages the nervous system and the brain "mad hatters"; toxic to nerve cells.

mitigation of CFC's

decrease use of CFC's **MONTREAL PROTOCOL**

environmental impact of Pb

decreased growth/reproductive rates in plants and animals, neurological effects in vertebrates

environmental impact of PM/SPM

decreased visibility, produces haze, dust on leaves damage crops (no photosynthesis), discolor/dirty buildings and other surfaces

sink of asbestos

deposition

sink of Pb

deposition into soil and water; contaminates soil and crops

source of asbestos

disturbed insulation due to renovation or damage

source of VOCs

evaporation of fuel, uncombusted exhaust, paints, carpets, furniture, insulation, etc.

source of Pb

exhaust fumes from leaded gasoline, metal smelting, paint, power plants burning fossil fuels

impact of VOCs

eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, damage to kidney, liver and central nervous damage

source of Rn

forms naturally in soils containing uranium (biproduct of Rn decay)

environmental effect of NOx

forms photochemical smog, acid precipitation. damages plants, trees, aquatic life and buildings. NO is poisonous and reacts with O2 to form NO2

sink of PM/SPM

gravitational setting to land or watter

source of CO

incomplete combustion of fuel, combustion of waste, vehicle exhaust, boilers, furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, gas stoves

impact of CFC's

increased skin cancer rates; eye cataracts, weakened immunity

asbestos

indoor air pollutants

Pb

lead heavy metal

impact of asbestos

lung cancer/mesothelioma

impact of O3

lung damage, breathing problems (emphysema, asthma), reduced resistance to colds/infections (bronchitis, pneumonia), chest pain, coughing, eye irritation. also reduces visibility and deteriorates rubber/fabric.

mitigation of CO

maintaining and adjusting combustion equipment, gas appliances, furnaces, flues and chimneys

mitigation of O3

mass transit, reduction of traffic congestion, drive less/walk more.

Hg

mercury heavy metal

mitigation of Rn

monitor/test basements

environmental impact of Rn

n/a

environmental impact of asbestos

n/a

impact of Pb

neurological effects in children, high blood pressure and heart disease in adults, kidney damage, cancer

NOx

nitrogen oxides

impact of CO

out competes O2 for hemoglobin - low concentration, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, death

CFC's

ozone depletion

PM/SPM

particulate matter dust less than 10 microns suspended PM = SPM

PANs

peroxacyl nitrates 2 degree pollutant

sink of VOCs

photolysis (UV), forms photo chemical smog NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3

sink of CFC's

photolysis with intense UV radiation (stratosphere) releasing chlorine or bromine which depletes ozone

sinks of CO2

photosynthetic organisms, acid deposition (H2CO3), acidification of oceans through CO2 uptake.

Rn

radon indoor air pollutants

environmental effect of SOx

reacts in atmosphere to form SO3 and H2SO4 (acid rain).

mitigation of VOCs

reduce combustion of fossil fuels (hybrids, public transport. reduce use of paint thinners and aerosols).

source of CFC's

refrigerants, solvents, accelerants in aerosol cans, foam blowing agents, pesticides, halons (group 17 chemicals)

impact of SOx

respiratory illnesses (bronchitis, emphysema, asthma) **NOTE: SO2 is a 1 degree pollutant, SO3 is a 2 degree pollutant**

impact of NOx

respiratory illnesses, lung disease (emphysema, asthma), component of photochemical smog and acid deposition

environmental impact of CFC's

stratospheric ozone depletion allowing more UV-A and UV-B to get to earth's surface; decline in #'s (arctic krill) affecting food webs, decreasing crop yields

mitigation of PM/SPM

stricter emissions standards (pollution abatement), use of electrostatic precipitators

impact of PANs

strong respiratory and eye irritant. potentially mutagenic. can damage vegetation.

SOx

sulfur oxides

source of PANs

transportation (created from ethanol in fuels); more stable than ozone and capable of long range transport NO2+ hydrocarbons --> PANs

O3

tropospheric ozone

source of O3

tropospheric reaction of NOX, VOCs with O2 that require sunlight/heat. NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3 (SMOG)

sinks of CO

upward migration in the upper layers of the atmosphere, uptake by soils.

sinks of O3

urban photochemical smog

mitigation of asbestos

use insulation that does not contain asbestos/don't disturb insulation that does contain asbestos

mitigation of CO2

using fuel sources that have low or no CO2 emissions. Fertilizing ocean with iron. ***KYOTO PROTOCOL

VOCs

volatile organic compounds 1 degree and 2 degree pollutants