Common Atmospheric Pollutants & Their Properties

• What is a major cause of air pollution?

  Burning fossil fuels
• What does burning fossil fuels produce in large quantities?

  Carbon dioxide
• What happens during incomplete combustion?

  Fuels are burned in insufficient oxygen
• What are the two problematic by-products of incomplete combustion?

  Carbon monoxide and particulates
• What is carbon monoxide?

  A toxic gas
• What are particulates?

  Small solid particles containing carbon and unburnt fuel
• What is an impurity present in all fossil fuels?

  Sulfur
• What does sulfur do when burned?

  It oxidizes to produce sulfur dioxide
• What happens when fossil fuels are burned in confined spaces?

  Nitrogen and oxygen react to form nitrogen oxides
• What are common atmospheric pollutants?

  Carbon monoxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides
• What does carbon monoxide do in the blood?

  It binds to hemoglobin, restricting oxygen transport
• Why is carbon monoxide difficult to detect?

  It is odourless and colourless
• What can inhaling particulates cause?

  Respiratory issues
• What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure?

  Symptoms range from fainting to fatality
• What effect do particulates have on sunlight?

  They reflect incoming radiation, causing global dimming
• What can inhaling sulfur dioxide cause?

  Respiratory issues
• What is a consequence of global dimming?

  Decreased levels of sunlight for photosynthesis
• What does sulfur dioxide react with to form?

  Sulfuric acid
• What are the effects of sulfuric acid in acid rain?

  Corrosion of steel and weathering of structures
• What can sulfuric acid cause harm to?

  Insects, plants, and aquatic organisms
• What can inhaling nitrogen oxides cause?

  Respiratory issues
• What do nitrogen oxides react with to form?

  Nitric acid
• What is a key component of acid rain formed by nitrogen oxides?

  Nitric acid