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of about 14,000 located 50 kilometers south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One large factory in town manufactured structural steel and wire and another produced zinc and sulfuric acid. dense fog settled over the town
retired steel worker died of respiratory problems, and several other deaths followed in rapid succession. Within a week, 20 people died and about half of the town was seriously ill.
automobile exhaust and emissions from factories and oil refineries added to the quantity, complexity, and toxicity of air pollution in many cities.
Thus, it directs automobile manufacturers to meet the standards for auto emissions, and it regulates smokestack emission from factories and power plants. Executives of industries that violate the law are subject to a fine up to $25,000 per day and/or imprisonment for up to 1 year.
Air Pollution
-is composed of airborne solid and liquid aerosols called particulates as well as gases that, when in high concentrations, seriously affect the lives of people and animals, harm plants, or threaten ecosystems. Pollutants can arise from human activities ( anthropogenic sources ) or from natural sources such as dust storms and volcanic eruption.
Air Pollutants- are airborne particles and gases that occur in concentrations that endanger the health and well-being of organisms or disrupt the orderly functioning of the environment. Categories of Air Pollutants:
o Primary Pollutants
-are emitted directly from identifiable sources. -They pollute the air immediately upon being emitted.
o Secondary Pollutants
-are not emitted directly into the air, but form in the atmosphere when reactions take place among primary pollutants.
nitrogen oxides absorb solar radiation, initiating a chain of complex reactions. When certain volatile compounds are present, the result is the formation of a number of undesirable secondary products that are very reactive, irritating, and toxic.
Carbon Monoxide ( CO )
- a colorless and odorless gas, is a prime example of harmful pollutant. - forms when fossil fuels are not completely burned during combustion. e.g. car engines or forest fires -also very dangerous in the home where it can be produced by heating devices that are not operating properly.
Lead
-a particulate released into the atmosphere
Sulfur Oxides (Sulfur Dioxide SO2 and Sulfur Trioxide SO3) - are released into the atmosphere primarily through the burning of fossil fuels that contain sulfur. - Levels of Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfur Trioxide can become large when the activities concentrate the compounds over a small region that allows the pollutants to reach high levels, as in urban or industrial areas.
Sulfur Dioxide -a highly corrosive gas that irritates the human respiratory system. Sulfur Trioxide -an important pollutant as it readily combines with water vapor to form droplets of sulfuric acid ( H2S04 ), creating acid rain.
Nitric Oxide
-a byproduct of high temperature combustion, such as in automobile engines and electric power generation. - is a very reactive gas and quickly forms Nitrogen Dioxide.
Nitrogen Dioxide
Hydrocarbons
-are compounds made of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Examples of Hydrocarbons: methane, can
butane ,
and Propane
occur as
either a gas or
particulate
- are also called volatile organic compounds ( VOCs )
Hydrocarbons - do not appear hazardous in themeselves, but during the day, they can combine with nitrogen oxides and oxygen to produce photochemical smog Ozone ( O3 ) - main component of smog -a chemically active molecule and is considered a corrosive gas - aggravates diseases such as asthma and bronchitis
Volatiles
is one that evaporates readily and therefore easily escapes into the atmosphere. e.g. when pesticides are sprayed onto fields and orchards, some of the spray is carried off by the wind when you paint your house, the volatile compounds are present in polluted air: Some are harmless and others are poisonous
Transportation 49%
Carbon Monoxide 50% Sulfur Oxides 16% Nitrogen Oxides 14% Particulates 5% Volatiles 15%
The End
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Carbon Monoxide ( CO )
- a colorless and odorless gas, is a prime example of harm pollutant. - forms when fossil fuels are not completely burned during combustion. e.g. car engines or forest fires -also very dangerous in the home where it can be produced by heating devices that are not operating properly.
Lead
-a particulate released into the atmosphere when, for example, treated gasoline is burned in car engines. -even a small amount can cause brain damage and lower IQs in infants.
Trioxide SO3) - are released into the atmosphere primarily through the burning of fossil fuels that contain sulfur. - Levels of Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfur Trioxide can become large when the activities concentrate the compounds over a small region that allows the pollutants to reach high levels, as in urban or industrial areas.
Sulfur Dioxide -a highly corrosive gas that irritates the human respiratory system. Sulfur Trioxide -an important pollutant as it readily combines with water vapor to form droplets of sulfuric acid ( H2S04 ), creating acid rain.
-a byproduct of high temperature combustion, such as in automobile engines and electric power generation.
- is a very reactive gas and quickly forms Nitrogen Dioxide. Nitrogen Dioxide - a toxic gas that is also emitted by automobile engines.
Hydrocarbons
-are compounds made of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Examples of Hydrocarbons:
methane, butane, either a gas or can occur as
and Propane
particulate
Hydrocarbons - are also called Volatile Organic Compounds ( VOCs ). - do not appear hazardous in themselves, but during the day, they can combine with nitrogen Oxides and Oxygen to produce photochemical smog. Ozone ( O3 ) - main component of smog -a chemically active molecule and is considered a corrosive gas
Volatile compound -is one that evaporates readily and therefore easily escapes into the atmosphere.