The Atmosphere contains several gases that make up the majority of Clean Air
• Nitrogen gas (78%) and Oxygen gas (21%)
• Argon
• Carbon Dioxide
• Water Vapor
Polluted Air =• Harmful substances that build up in air
• These substances include: solids, liquids, gases
Some air pollution is considered natural due to its source. Sources include:
• Volcanoes (ash and sulfur dioxide)
• Dust
• Pollen
• Spores
There are two types of pollutants that can affect the environment:
Primary Pollutants:• Put directly into the air by humans: Ex:
INDUSTRY
EXHAUST BURNING
TRANSPORTATION
DEMOLITION
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Odorless, colorless, poisonous gas
• Burning…cars, furnace
• Drowsiness and death
Nitrogen Oxide
• Gas with brownish haze
• Vehicle emissions,
power plants, boilers
• Lung cancer, acid rain, respiratory problems
Secondary Pollutants:
• Chemical reactions between primary pollutants, water vapor, and oxygen. Examples:
ACID RAINSMOG
Sulfur Dioxide
1. Gas (smells like rotten eggs)
2. Burning coal, power plants
3. Acid Rain/Harms plants, fish
4. Respiratory problems
5. Corrosive
World Air Quality Problems
• As countries become more developed they are more likely to use fossil fuels.
• Most air pollution comes from vehicles and industry.
• Motor Vehicle Emissions: About 1/3 of all air pollution comes from burning gasoline.
• The Clean Air Act (1970) required: catalytic converters, unleaded gas, improved mpg
Industrial Air Pollution• Industries and power plants: burn fossil fuel for
energy• Huge quantities of sulfur dioxide (coal) and
nitrogen oxide (oil/gas) are released into the air
• Other industries produce Volatile Organic Compound’s (VOC’s)that form toxic fumes
• Dry cleaning, oil refineries, manufacturing, furniture refinisher, auto repair shop, aerosols
SMOG
• In many urban areas, air pollution gets trapped in cities and appears as a gray haze that reduces visibility.
• It is made of sun, air, NO or SO, and ozone
• Worst places for SMOG in US:
• LA
• Denver
• Phoenix