Pollutants
Pollution Control Devices
Temperature
Vocabulary
Side-effects of pollutants
100

define a primary pollutant and give an example

pollutants that are emitted directly from a source into the environment

Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM, VOCs

100

What are Vapor Recovery Nozzles

used at the gas pump to help reduce air pollution. They capture the gasoline vapors that escape from automobile tanks when they are being refueled

100

What is thermal inversion?

a layer in the atmosphere in which air temperature increases with height

cooler --> warm --> cool (descending order)

100

Define Smog

Fog or haze combined with smoke and other atmospheric pollutants. 

100

Methane 

produces greenhouse gasses, contributes to climate change, and increases the formation of ground level ozone. 

200

define a secondary pollutant and give an example

formed in the atmosphere as a result of chemical reactions between primary pollutants and other substances

acid rain, ground-level ozone, PM, smog, 

200

Catalytic Converters are...

an exhaust emission control device that reduces harmful pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less toxic pollutants

200

What does the inversion layer contribute to?

the formation of smog by trapping ozone at the surface

200

what are point-sources of pollution and give an example

Point source pollution is any single, identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged.

Ex: Factories, sewage treatment facilities, and more.

200

PM (Particulate Matter)

respiratory issues(increased risk of asthma and lung cancer)

300

What contributes to acid rain?

SOx and NOx

300

What are Dry/Wet scrubbers

industrial pollution control devices used to remove pollutants from exhaust gases

300

What is the Greenhouse Effect?


a natural process that warms the Earth's surface; They trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping into space.

300

what are nonpoint-sources of pollution and give an examples

Nonpoint sources of pollution are sources that originate from numerous, widespread, and diffuse sources rather than a single, easily identifiable source.

Ex: urban runoff

300

SOx

respiratory irritant, asthma, acid rain, deforestation, ocean acidification, erosion

400

Describe the creation of photochemical smog


400

What are Electrostatic Precipitators 

 

a device that removes suspended dust particles from a gas or exhaust by applying a high-voltage electrostatic charge and collecting the particles on charged plates.
400

contributors to thermal inversion

longer nights (winter time), high-pressure systems, valleys, coastal areas, etc...

400

Define asbestos

a group of minerals with long, thin fibers

400

NOx

Respiratory irritant, allergies, acid rain, health problems

500

What is the Clean Air Act?

The Clean Air Act is the primary federal law in the United States regulating air pollution. It sets standards for air quality, regulates emissions from both stationary and mobile sources, and requires states to develop plans to meet these standards. 

500

What device is most likely to be found at gas stations?

Vapor Recovery Nozzles

500

3 examples of Greenhouse Gases 

carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxides, water vapor, etc...

500

What does GWP stand for?

Global Warming Potential

500

Lead

lead poisoning, 

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