Air pollution

• Fossil fuels

  Crude oil and coal, contain hydrocarbons
• Combustion of hydrocarbons


  1. Complete combustion

  2. Incomplete combustion
• Complete combustion


  • When there's plenty of oxygen around all of the fuel burns
• Incomplete combustion


  • When there's not enough oxygen around some of the fuel does not burn
• Both types of combustion release carbon dioxide and water vapour into the atmosphere
• During incomplete combustion, solid particles (called particulates) of soot (carbon) and unburnt fuel are also released
• Carbon monoxide gas is also produced during incomplete combustion
• Particulates


  • Can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage
  • Affect sunlight back into space, causing global warming
• Carbon monoxide


  • Can stop your blood from carrying enough oxygen around the body
  • Hard to detect as it has no smell or colour
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is released during the combustion of fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities
• Nitrogen oxides form in a reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the air, caused by the heat of the burning fossil fuels
• Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with clouds

  Cause acid rain
• Acid rain


  • Damages plants, buildings, statues and metals
• Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides also cause respiratory problems if they're breathed in