Environmental Science
Air Resources: Air Pollution
Major Components of Air Pollution
Include particulates (small particles of solids or liquids) or gases
Major primary pollutants include: carbon monoxide (58%), volatile organic compounds
(VOCs)(11%), nitrogen oxides (15%), sulfur oxides (13%) and particulates
EPA has set standards for six common pollutants: Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, ozone, particulates and lead
Pollution may also be natural: example, sulfur dioxide from volcanic eruptions
PRIMARY AIR POLLUTANTS
Pollutant
Description
Primary Sources
Effects
Carbon monoxide
-Odorless, colorless and -Burning fossil fuels
poisonous gas
-Cause sudden illness
and death
Nitrogen oxides
-Family of poisonous,
highly reactive gases
-Form when fuel is
burned at high
temperatures
-Brownish Gas
-NO, NO2, and NO3
-Fossil fuel combustion
from transportation and
agriculture
-Various fertilizers
-Air pollutant (nitrogen
dioxide)
-Precursor to acid rain
-Respiratory problems
Sulfur dioxide
Colorless Gas with a
strong, putrid odor. It
reacts easily with other
substances to form
harmful compounds,
such as sulfuric acid,
sulfurous acid, and
sulfate particles.
Sulfur Dioxide in air The effects are:
comes from human
 Irritation of
sources such as
respiratory track
industrial processing of:
for humans and
animals
 Electricity
 Coal
 Damage to
plants
 Gas
Comes largely from
 Contributes to
burning of fossil fuels
acid rain which
damages lakes,
forests, metals
and stone
Volatile organic
compounds
Particulates
(VOC) emitted as gases Used as solvent
from certain solids or
- Cleaning
liquids
supplies
Vaporize readily
- Paint
- Pesticides
- Cars
Also from burning fuels
(cars are a major
source)
-Complex mixture of
extremely small
particles and liquid
droplets
-Acid, organic
chemicals, metals, soil,
and dust
-Emitted from motor
vehicles
-
-
Contributes to
smog which
effects
respiratory
problems
Can cause
cancer to
animals and
people
- Air; forest fires and
gas emitted from power
plants
Respiratory problems
May be linked to cancer
Erode buildings,
corrode metals