What is a primary pollutant?
Emitted directly into the atmorspher
Ex: Pollen, combustion of fossil fuels, Voc’s given off by plants
What is a secondary pollutant?
Once primary, combining with other chemicals with help of sunlight
ex: Ozone, Acid rain
Primary Pollutant names
Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulfer Dioxide (SO2), Nitric Oxide (NO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Hydrocarbons, PM
Secondary Pollutant names
Sulfur Trioxide (SO3), Nitric Acid (HNO3), Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4), Ozone (O3), Peroxyacetyl Nitrate (PAN’s)
What is the Clean Air Act?
EPA established national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)
What pollutants did the Clean Air Act deem most harmful?
SPLONC = Sulfur Dioxide, Particulate Matter, Lead, Ozone, Nitrogen Oxide, Carbon Monoxide
When was Lead removed from gas and what were the affects of lead exposure?
1970’s, Children: Behavioral, Lower IQ, Learning disabilities, Nerve damage
Adults: Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease
How is Photochemical Smog made?
It comes from Nitrogen Oxides and VOC’s, converted with sunlight into Ozone and PANs
NO+VOC=NO2
NO2+UV=NO+O
O+O2=O3
NO2+VOC=PANs
What is the source for Photochemical smog?
Nitrogen Oxides are produced early in day (Morning rush hour) and Ozone concentration peaks in afternoon as sun and temp the highest. This is best seen in the summers and in warm climates.
Health effects from Photochemical Smog?
Irritates eyes nose throat
Worsens heart conditions and lung conditions
Long exposure can cause cancer
Worsen bronchitis and emphysema
Trigger asthma
What is a Thermal Inversion?
Cold air trapped under warm air in tropospheric later, trapping pollutants close to the ground. Valleys and mountains and areas with coastal winds more likely to have thermal inversion.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
An asphyxiant, impaires ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen though body which means dizziness, nausea, suffocation.
Effects of Radon?
Second leading cause of cancer, lung cancer, not good overall
What did the CAA require the EPA to develop?
National Renewable Fuel Program, to significantly increase volume of renewable fuels that can be blended into gasoline.
Ex: Natural Gas, Propane, Ethanol, Biofules
What are some conservation acts to reduce emissions/pollution?
Energy efficiency, water based solvents/cleaners to reduce VOC’s, increase transportation planning, higher fuel standard, no idle zones
What is a vapor recover nozzle?
captures vapors when pumping gas and sends them underground to storage tank. 2006: EPA says cars need Onboard refueling vapor recovery systems (ORVR)
2013: No longer required gas pump nozzle system.
What is a catalytic converter?
Reduced toxicity of emissions.
CO = O2 + Nitrogen
NO2 = Co2 + N2O
VOC’s = H2O
Nitrogen oxide = by reduction (removing oxygen) = N +O2
Carbon monoxide = oxidation (adding oxygen) = CO2
What is a scrubber?
A scrubber is a filter that removes ollutants from exhaust streams. CAA requires scrubbers, removes sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, PM
What is a wet scrubber?
Spray/mist usually water with limestone that captures dust and PM or pollutants
What is a dry scrubber?
Dry particles change pollutants, due to the added weight of the dry particles it sinks into chamber, not as effective as wet scrubber.
What are Electrostatic Precipitators?
changes electric charge of pollutants and decreases emission, soot particles pass metal plates and filters, particles stick to the walls.
How is Acid Rain made?
Nitrogen oxide reacts with water resulting in nitrous acid and nitric acid.
Sulfur Dioxide and water = sulfurous acid= sulfuric acid.
What is the PH of regular rain and acid rain?
Regular rain: 5.6
Acid rain: 4.3
Impact of acid rain?
SOx and Nox travel long distances= more time to react with water = more likely for acid rain.
Acid deposition = impacts environment
Aluminum toxicity
Calcium deficiencies
Can damage marble
