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Air pollution is a critical environmental issue caused by both human activities and natural events. Common pollutants include primary pollutants, which are emitted directly into the atmosphere, and secondary pollutants that become harmful after interacting with other substances. Key types of air pollution include photochemical smog, acid rain, and particulate matter. Toxic air pollutants pose serious health risks, while chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) threaten the ozone layer. Understanding these concepts is essential for developing effective solutions for cleaner air and a healthier planet.
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Air Pollution Chapter 19 Section 1
What causes air pollution? • pollutants - harmful substances that contaminate the environment • human activities – industry, construction, power generation, transportation, and agriculture • natural events – erupting volcanoes that spew out ash and toxic gases, smoke from fires
Types of Pollutants • Primary – released directly into the air in a harmful form. • Secondary pollutants – are released directly, but become harmful only after they interact with other substances in the earth’s atmosphere: smog, brown haze.
Photochemical smog • Forms with the help of sunlight when nitrogen compounds and organic compounds react • If landforms are present, they prevent wind from dispersing pollutants, so fog forms readily • A temperature inversion reduces the amount of air mixing in the atmosphere ad can cause pollutants to accumulate near the surface
Acid Rain • Precipitation with less than 5.6 is called acid rain • Acid rain damages surfaces and structures in addition to harming plant and animal life • Winds carry pollutants and cause the Northeastern US to have more acid precipitation
Particulate Matter • Suspended solid particles and liquid droplets are called particulate matter • 1. coarse particles are about 1/7 the diameter of human hair. • 2. fine particles are about ¼ the size of coarse particles
Toxic Air Pollutants • Toxic air pollutants – cause cancer or other serious human health problems • They also damage other organisms
Chloroflourocarbons CFCs • CFCs are compounds that destroy the ozone layer. (used in aerosols, refrigerants, airconditioners) • No longer produced, but will take a long time to disappear