Definitions
the contamination of the atmosphere via the release of gases, divided solids, or liquid aerosols
What is air pollution?
leads to global warming
What is CO2?
- North America has seen some of the largest and most violent within 2023
- Smoke from as far away as the Arctic Circle made its way down to the United
What are Wildfires?
pollutants that come directly out of smoke-stacks, exhaust pipes, or even from a natural emission source like wildfires
What are Primary Pollutants?
can cause increased amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth which can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems
What is ozone depletion?
- Regulates the anthropomorphic emissions
- Pollutants get a concentration limit
- passed in 1970
What is the Clean Air Act?
pollutants that are transformed when in contact with sunlight, water, oxygen, and other compounds
What are Secondary Pollutants?
could deplete Earth's atmospheric ozone layer, which blocks the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays
What are CFCs?
unburnt fuel, in this case, trees, making it carcinogenic
What is wildfire smoke?
pollutants that indicate air quality
What are critical pollutants?
NOx and SO2 combine within rain and create this.
What is acid rain?
Visits to the Emergency Department skyrocket during periods of low air quality caused by wildfire smoke
What are the health impacts of wildfires?
can include heart disease, and respiratory disease. It can also impact nerves, the brain, kidneys, liver, and other internal organs.
What are long term effects?
a mixture of pollutants that are formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react to sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities
What is Photochemical smog?
Higher population urban areas have worse air quality than low population areas due to diminished ____
What is air flow?