Key Vocabulary
Pollutants emitted straight into the atmosphere.
Primary Pollutant
Ozone which is a secondary pollutant forming ground-level smog; harmful to human respiratory systems and plant life.
Trophospheric Ozone
Used in automobiles to convert CO, and NOx into less harmful gases (nitrogen and carbon dioxide).
Catalytic Converters
Formed when nitrogen oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) react with sunlight. Common in sunny, dry, urban areas like Los Angeles.
Photochemical Smog / Brown Fog
Sound at levels high enough to cause physiological stress or hearing loss.
Noise Pollution
Polllutants formed in the atmosphere through reactions of primary pollutants with water/sunlight
Secondary Pollutants
Criteria pollutants which combine Sulfur and Oxygen or Nitrogen and Oxygen.
NOx and SOx
Uses an electric charge to pull particulate matter out of industrial exhaust.
Electrostatic Precipitators
It is a persitent air pollutant which occurs when Oxygen Gas(O2) binds with free oxygen (O) and cannot return to its NO2 molecule due to VOCs diplacement at its bonding site
Tropospheric Ozone
O3
Name 2 INDUSTRIAL sources of NOISE POLLUTION
construction
transportation
industrial machinery.
The big six pollutants regulated by EPA.
SOx, NOx, CO, PM and Lead
Criteria Pollutants
A type of particulate matter polllutant made from a fibrous mineral once used for insulation that causes cancer.
Asbestos
Captures gasoline vapors at the pump to reduce VOC emissions.
Vapor Recovery Nozzles
Rainfall or dry particles with a pH lower than 5.6, caused by SOx / NOx reacting with water to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
Acid Rain / Acid Deposition
Lawn mowers
Leaf blowers
Loud music
A situation where a warm layer of air covers a layer of cold air near the ground, trapping pollutants.
Thermal Inversion
A radioactive gas produced from the natural decay of uranium in rock/soil, which can enter homes through foundations.
Radon
Name 3 Ways to reduce emissions before they make it into the atmosphere.
1. Ride a bike or walk ( instead of car)
2. Use less electricity (energy efficient appliances)
3. Carpool or Ridesharing ( to reduce emission from multiple single person cars.)
Ozone Depletion / Ozone Holes
Name 2 sources of AQUATIC noise pollution
ship propellers
military sonar,
seismic air blasts
Sick Building Syndrome
A condition affecting workers/residents, often in new/renovated buildings, caused by indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde or mold.
A toxic metal previously found in gasoline, plumbing pipes and paint; impairs the central nervous system.
Lead (Pb)
Industrial devices that use liquid or dry reagents to neutralize or remove gases like from smokestacks.
Wet / Dry Scrubbers
Formed primarily by the burning of coal, releasing sulfur dioxide and particulates. Common in damp, cold industrial cities.
Industrial Smog / Gray Smog
Describe some of the effects NOISE POLLUTION can cause on wildlife.
Decreased Animal Communication / location
Altered Hunting/ predator/ prey relationships
Marine wildlife can be disoriented (lack of echolocation)