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,