nitrogen oxides + sulfur dioxide

• when are nitrogen oxides formed?

  when nitrogen + oxygen react in high pressure + temperature conditions of internal combustion engines + blast furnaces
• what do exhaust gases contain?

  unburned hydrocarbons + carbon monoxide
• what are cars fitted with + what do they do?

  catalytic converters - which form a part of their exhaust engines
• what is the function of catalytic converters?

  their function is to render these exhaust gases harmless
• what are the adverse effects of nitrogen oxides?

  • acid rain
  • produce photochemical smog - creating breathing difficulties
• what things often contain sulphur impurities?

  fossil fuels
• what happens when fossil fuels are contaminated?

  the sulphur in the fuels get oxidised to sulphur dioxide
• what effects can acid rain on the environment?

  • causes corrosion to metal structures, buildings + statues made of carbonate rocks
  • damage to aquatic organisms
  • pollutes crops + water supplies
• what effects can acid rain have on humans?

  irritates lungs, throats + eyes