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Pollutant Description Sources Effects Release

This document summarizes several major air pollutants including their sources and effects. Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete burning of fossil fuels from vehicles and other combustion sources. Nitrogen oxides come from burning fuels and combine during combustion. Sulfur dioxide is released from burning fossil fuels. Volatile organic compounds are emitted from solvents, paints, and fuels. Particulate matter comes from combustion sources. Lead is released from metal processing and waste. Ozone is formed from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds reacting in heat and sunlight. The pollutants can harm human health and vegetation.

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Junaid Akhtar
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42 views3 pages

Pollutant Description Sources Effects Release

This document summarizes several major air pollutants including their sources and effects. Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete burning of fossil fuels from vehicles and other combustion sources. Nitrogen oxides come from burning fuels and combine during combustion. Sulfur dioxide is released from burning fossil fuels. Volatile organic compounds are emitted from solvents, paints, and fuels. Particulate matter comes from combustion sources. Lead is released from metal processing and waste. Ozone is formed from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds reacting in heat and sunlight. The pollutants can harm human health and vegetation.

Uploaded by

Junaid Akhtar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pollutant

Description

Sources

Carbon Monoxide
(CO)

CO is an odorless,
colorless, and
poisonous gas produced
by the incomplete
burning of fossil fuels
(gasoline, oil, natural
gas).

Cars, trucks, buses,


small engines, and
some industrial
processes are major
sources. Wood stoves,
cigarette smoke, and
forest fires are also
sources of CO.

Nitrogen
Oxides
(NOx)

Nitrogen and oxygen


combine during
combustion (burning) to
form nitrogen oxides.
Many nitrogen oxides
are colorless and
odorless gases.

NOx come from burning


fuels in motor vehicles,
power plants, industrial
boilers and other
industrial, commercial,
and residential sources
that burn fuels.

Sulfur
Dioxide
(SO2)

SO2 is a gas produced


by chemical
interactions between
sulfur and oxygen.

Volatile
Organic
Compounds
(VOCs)

VOCs are organic


(contain carbon)
compounds that
vaporize easily.
Gasoline, benzene,
toluene, and xylene are
examples of VOCs.

SO2 comes largely from


burning fossil fuels
(gasoline, oil, natural
gas). It is released from
petroleum refineries,
paper mills, chemical
and coal burning power
plants.
VOCs are emitted as
gases (fumes). Sources
of VOCs include burning
fuels, solvents, cleaning
supplies, paints, and
glues. Cars are a major
source of VOCs.

Effects
CO interferes with the
bloods ability to carry
oxygen, slowing
reflexes and causing
drowsiness. In high
concentrations, CO can
cause death.
Headaches and stress
on the heart can result
from exposure to CO.
NOx can make the body
vulnerable to
respiratory infections,
lung disease, and
possibly cancer. NOx
contributes to the
brownish haze seen
over congested areas
and to acid rain. NOx
easily dissolves in water
and forms acids which
can cause metal
corrosion and
fading/deterioration of
fabrics.

Release

Direct

Direct

SO2 easily dissolves in


water and forms an acid
which contributes to
acid rain. Lakes, forests,
metals, and stone can
be damaged by acid
rain.

Direct

VOCs contribute to
smog formation and
can cause serious
health problems such
as cancer. They may
also harm plants.

Direct

Particulate
Matter
(PM)
also known
as
Particle
Pollution

Particulate matter is a
term used to describe
very small solids.
Smoke, ash, soot,
dust, lead, and other
particles from burning
fuels
are examples of some
of
the compounds that
make
up particulate matter.

Lead

Lead is a metal found


naturally in the
environment
as well as in
manufactured
products. Small solid
particles of lead can
become suspended in
the
air. Lead can then be
deposited on soil and in
water.

Ozone (O3)

Ozone (O3) is a gas not


usually emitted directly
into
the air. Ground level
ozone
is created by a chemical
reaction between NOx
and
VOCs in the presence of
heat and sunlight.

Some particles are


directly
emitted from cars,
trucks,
buses, factories,
construction
sites, tilled fields,
unpaved
roads, and burning
wood.
Other particles are
indirectly
formed when gases
from
burning fuels react with
sunlight and water
vapor.
The major source of
lead is
metal processing with
the
highest levels of lead
generally
found near land
smelters.
Other sources include
waste
incinerators, utilities,
and lead
acid battery
manufacturers.
Motor vehicle exhaust,
industrial emissions,
gasoline
vapors, and chemical
solvents
are some of the major
sources
of NOx and VOCs.

Particulate matter can


reduce
visibility and cause a
variety of
respiratory problems.
Particulate
matter has also been
linked to
cancer. It can also
corrode metal;
erode building and
sculptures, and
soil fabrics.

Direct and
formed in
the air

Exposure to lead can


cause blood,
organ and neurological
damage in
humans and animals.
Lead can also
slow down the growth
rate in plants.

Direct

Ozone can irritate lung


airways and
cause wheezing and
coughing.
Repeated exposure can
cause
permanent lung
damage. Ozone
damages leaves of
trees and other
plants. It decreases the

Formed in
the air

ability of
plants to produce and
store food, and
reduces crop yield.

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