Meghan Hodges
Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. The most common air pollutants caused by chemical processes include nitrogen oxides, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen monoxide, which are generated from the combustion of fuel engines and industry. Other common air pollutants caused by chemical processes include carbon monoxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants are emitted directly into the air from fossil fuels such as fuel oil, gasoline, and natural gas that are burned in power plants, automobiles, and other combustion sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources | Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, forest fires, vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, manufacturing and power generation, coal-fueled power plants, chemical production, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, decomposing organic matter, ground-level ozone, carbon, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fine particulate matter, fossil fuels, fuel oil, gasoline, natural gas, combustion sources |
| Pollutants | Particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, soot, dust, smoke, fumes, mists |
What You'll Learn
Particulate matter
One of the primary sources of human-made particulate matter is traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). TRAP is a mixture of gases and particles that includes ground-level ozone, various forms of carbon, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and fine particulate matter. Vehicle emissions, particularly from diesel engines, are a major contributor to TRAP and the release of particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Additionally, agricultural burning and wildfires are the world's largest sources of black carbon, a component of PM2.5. Black carbon is a short-lived climate pollutant that also originates from diesel engines, burning trash, and stoves or furnaces that combust fossil and biomass fuels. The combustion of fuel engines and industrial processes generates nitrogen dioxide (NO2), another harmful component of particulate matter. NO2 can damage the human heart and lungs and reduce atmospheric visibility at high concentrations.
The Haze of Smog: Uncovering the Causes of Air Pollution
You may want to see also
Carbon monoxide
The effects of carbon monoxide exposure can vary depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. Short-term exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Prolonged exposure to low levels or short-term exposure to high levels can lead to more severe symptoms, including loss of consciousness, brain damage, and death.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it is recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors in homes and other enclosed spaces. These detectors can provide early warning of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, allowing individuals to take appropriate action, such as evacuating the area or seeking medical attention. Additionally, regular maintenance and proper use of combustion appliances, as well as ensuring adequate ventilation, can help reduce the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
Climate Change: Pollution's Impact and Influence
You may want to see also
Ozone
Nitrogen oxides are a group of air-polluting chemical compounds that are generated from the combustion of fuel engines and industry. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the most harmful of these compounds and is a critical precursor to the formation of ground-level ozone. It can damage the human heart and lungs and reduce atmospheric visibility at high concentrations.
Water Pollution: Understanding the Primary Causes
You may want to see also
Nitrogen dioxide
NO2 is of major public health concern. It can damage the human heart and lungs and it reduces atmospheric visibility at high concentrations. It is also a critical precursor to the formation of ground-level ozone. WHO data shows that almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures.
Sources of Air Pollution: Understanding the Causes
You may want to see also
Sulfur dioxide
SO2 can create secondary pollutants once released into the air. These include sulfate aerosols, particulate matter, and acid rain. Acid rain can damage trees and plants, inhibit plant growth, and damage sensitive ecosystems and waterways. SO2 also contributes to the formation of thick haze and smog.
SO2 has a range of harmful effects on the lungs, including wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Long-term exposure at high levels increases respiratory symptoms and reduces the ability of the lungs to function. Rapid breathing during exercise helps SO2 reach the lower respiratory tract, as does breathing through the mouth. People with asthma, particularly children, are sensitive to these effects of SO2. Longer exposures can aggravate existing heart and lung conditions.
The primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for SO2 is 75 parts per billion (ppb) averaged over one hour (99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum concentrations, averaged over 3 years).
The Haze of Industry: China's Air Pollution Crisis
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The most common air pollutants caused by chemical processes include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
The sources of these air pollutants include household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, power plants, and forest fires.
Exposure to these air pollutants can cause respiratory and other diseases and are important sources of morbidity and mortality.
Yes, the WHO has guidelines for air quality, but almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds these limits and contains high levels of pollutants.
To reduce exposure to these air pollutants, it is important to minimize the use of dirty technologies and fuels, improve vehicle emissions standards, and implement measures to reduce industrial and power generation pollution.
