INTRODUCTION TO AIR POLLUTION
This type of pollutant is emitted directly from a source.
What is a primary pollutant?
This type of smog forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants like NOx and VOCs.
What is photochemical smog?
This radioactive gas is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
What is radon?
This device in cars reduces emissions by converting harmful gases into less harmful ones.
What is a catalytic converter?
Acid deposition is defined as precipitation with a pH lower than this value.
What is 5.6?
This is a primary pollutant that has undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen, or other compounds.
What is a secondary pollutant?
This gas contributes to global warming and is measured as atmospheric concentration.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
This indoor pollutant comes from incomplete combustion and is colorless and odorless.
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
These devices at gas stations capture gasoline vapors during refueling to prevent volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from entering the atmosphere.
What are vapor recovery nozzles?
These two types of oxides are the main causes of acid rain.
What are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?
This pollutant is released primarily from burning coal and can lead to the formation of acid deposition in the atmosphere. It is also released in large quantities during volcanic eruptions and in much smaller quantities, during forest fires.
What is sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?
This atmospheric condition traps pollutants near the ground, worsening air quality.
What is a thermal inversion?
This group of indoor air pollutants is released from sources such as paints, cleaning products, adhesives, and new furniture.
What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
This policy improves fuel efficiency in vehicles to reduce emissions.
What are CAFE standards?
This environmental effect occurs when H⁺ ions displace nutrients like calcium and potassium in soil.
What is soil nutrient leaching?
These two major human activities are the primary sources of most air pollution.
What are fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes?
These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause health problems.
What are particulates (PM)?
This biological pollutant thrives in damp environments and can trigger asthma.
What is mold?
This industrial device removes particulate matter from emissions using electrostatic charge.
What is an electrostatic precipitator?
This type of rock can help neutralize acid rain due to its chemical composition.
What is limestone (calcium carbonate)?
This law significantly reduced air pollution in the U.S. by regulating emissions.
What is the Clean Air Act?
This component of smog is harmful to respiratory health and plant tissue, and forms from sunlight-driven reactions.
What is ozone (O₃)?
This condition occurs when occupants of a building experience headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues due to poor indoor air quality, often without a clearly identifiable source.
What is sick building syndrome?
These pollution-control devices may involve chemical agents that absorb or neutralize NOx , SOx , VOCs, but also include mist nozzles that trap PM in water droplets.
What are wet scrubbers?
This type of pollution comes from sources like traffic and machinery and can impact human health and wildlife.
What is noise pollution?