air pollution

• combustion of fossil fuels releases gases and particles. fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons
• during combustion, the carbon and hydrogen in these compounds are oxidised so that carbon dioxide and water vapour are released into the atmosphere
• when there is plenty of oxygen - all the fuel burns - this is called complete combustion
• if there is not enough oxygen - not all fuel burns - this is called incomplete combustion
• during incomplete combustion, solid particles (particulates) of soot (carbon) and unburn fuels are released and carbon monoxide can be produced as well as carbon dioxide
• if particulates are inhaled, they stick to lungs and cause damage, causing respiratory problems
• particulates are bad for the environment, they reflect sunlight back into space. less light reaches the earth, causes global dimming
• carbon monoxide can stop blood carrying oxygen around the body. It does this by binding to the haemoglobin in your blood, so less oxygen is able to be transported
• a lack of oxygen in your blood causes fainting, comas, or death
• carbon monoxide does not have any colour or smell, so hard to detect making it even more dangerous
• sulfur dioxide is released during combustion of fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities, the sulfur becomes oxidised
• nitrogen oxides are created from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in the air, caused by the heat of the burning . When these gases mix with clouds they form dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid. This falls as acid rain
• acid rain kills plants and damages buildings and statues, makes metal corrode
• sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can be bad for human health- causing respiratory issues