Air Pollutants
Indoor pollutant from tobacco use that can cause headaches, respiratory infections and cancer
What is second-hand smoke
Converts exhaust from vehicles into harmless compounds
What is a catalytic converter
Small particles of rock
What is sediment
Large lined pits where the majority of Canadian solid waste ends up
What are landfills
Pollution that comes from an identifiable source
What is point source pollution
Solid debris in the air from agriculture, roads, volcanoes or fires
What is particulate matter
Uses light to kill pathogens in drinking water
What is UV sterilization
Microscopic disease-causing agents
What are pathogens
Complete combustion of waste
What is incineration
All garbage produced by homes and businesses
What is municipal waste
From paints, glues, textiles or other household and industrial products
What are volatile organic compounds
Combine computer systems and plants to filter waste water
What are living machines
Includes lead, mercury and arsenic
What are heavy metals
Decomposition of organic material by small organisms such as worms or bacteria
What is composting
A pollutant that forms when two or more pollutants react with sunlight
What is a secondary pollutant
A naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from uranium decay in rock
What is radon
A system for measuring current air conditions and health issues that may arise from exposure
What is the Air Quality Health Index
Includes urine, feces, nitrates and phosphates
What is organic matter
Movement of solid waste from one region to another
What is exportation
When pollutants collect in the tissues of organisms over time
What is bioaccumulation
From forest fires and vehicle exhaust; may irritate the eyes and throat
What is nitrogen dioxide
Traps particles from smokestacks using static electricity
What are electrostatic precipitators
Includes acids, bases and salts
What are inorganic chemicals
Tanks that contain wastewater from rural homes
What are septic tanks
Release CO2, NO2 and volatile organic compounds
What are motor vehicles