Primary and Secondary Pollutants
This type of pollutant forms in the atmosphere through chemical reactions and interaction with the sun
Secondary Pollutant
This type of smog forms when sunlight reacts with NOx and VOCs
Photochemical smog
Thermal inversion occurs when this type of air is trapped near the surface.
(Warm or cold)
Cold air!
Particulate matter is dangerous because it affects this human anatomical system.
Respiratory system
Which law regulates air pollution in the US
The Clean Air Act
Troposheric ozone is what type of pollutant (primary/secondary)
Secondary
Why do urban areas experience more smog
Because there is a higher population and more people = more emissions
Why do pollutants accumulate during inversions?
Because they cannot rise or disperse into our atmosphere, and are trapped near the surface of earth
This gas can cause asphyxiation by binding to hemoglobin
Carbon Monoxide
Wet scrubbers remove this pollutant from smokestacks
S02
Toxic metals relased during coal combustion are what type of pollutant?
Primary
During the day NOx builds up do to what human activity
Vehicle emissions
What types of weather conditions lead to inversions forming
Little to no wind.
This chemical is commonly released from furniture and building materials.
Formaldehyde
Vapor recovery nozzles reduce air pollution by preventing the release of this compound
What pollutant is beneficial in the stratosphere but harmful at ground level?
Ozone
Cities with these geographical features have more smog because ______ it traps more air pollutants
Mountains and or valleys
Draw a picture of thermal inversion with three different layers of air.
Who is the suspect? A 3-year-old child living in a 1950s home develops neurological delays and kidney damage. Paint chips were found near windowsills.
Lead
Why are marine mammals especially vulnerable to noise pollution?
They rely on sound for communication, navigation, and feeding
Name 2 primary pollutants that contribute to acid rain formation
SO₂ and NOx
Explain how climate change could worsen smog formation in the future
Higher tempreatures cause increases in reaction rates, which will produce more ozone
Inversions are most common during what season of the year?
Winter
What is the suspect? A retired woman who lived 30 years in a basement home develops aggressive lung cancer. She never smoked. The home was built over granite bedrock.
Radon
What type of rock can neutralize acid rain due to its high calcium carbonate content?
Limestone