Major Types of Air Pollution

Environmental Science

1. Particulate MatterO Solid particles and aerosols suspended in airO Bronchitis, lung cancer

46% - Fuel32% - Industry22% - Transportation

2. VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds

O Gasoline, paint solvents, cleanersO Nervous system disorders, cancers, learning

disabilities

3% - Fuel58% - Industry36% - Transportation

3. Carbon Monoxide - COO Invisible, odorless gasO Blocks delivery of oxygen

6% - Fuel 7% - Industry78% - Transportation

4. Nitrogen Oxides - NOx

O Converted to nitric acid in the atmosphereO Causes acid rain

46% - Fuel 4% - Industry50% - Transportation

5. Sulfur Dioxide – SO2

O Forms sulfuric acid in the air, then acid rainO Poisonous to plants and animals

88% - Fuel 9% - Industry 3% - Transportation

6. Lead, Heavy Metals

O Mercury, arsenic, cadmium, lead, etc.O Dangerous at low levels, leads to brain damageO Accumulates in tissue

7. Ozone – O3

O Very harmful at ground level (tropospheric)O Lung disorders, asthma, bronchitis

8. Air Toxics and RadonO Radioactive materials like radonO Toxics like asbestos, benzene, etc.O Mining remnants

Primary and Secondary Pollutants

O Primary Pollutants: enter directly into airO Particulate MatterO Carbon Monoxide and DioxideO Nitrogen OxidesO Sulfur DioxideO VOC’s and other hydrocarbonsO Chlorine

Primary and Secondary Pollutants

O Secondary Pollutants: pollutants that form from primary pollutants.O Nitric AcidO Sulfuric AcidO OzoneO PANs