Unit 9: Air Pollution

Question 1

Sulfur dioxide symbol

Answer 1

SO2

Question 2

Is sulfur dioxide primary or secondary?

Answer 2

Primary

Question 3

Human source of sulfur dioxide

Answer 3

Burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur like coal, oil, and gas.

Question 4

Natural source of sulfur dioxide

Answer 4

Volcanoes

Question 5

Effects/impacts of sulfur dioxide

Answer 5

Respiratory irritant, harms plant tissues, sulfuric acid harms fish and plants.

Question 6

Nitrogen oxides symbol

Answer 6

NOx

Question 7

Are nitrogen oxides primary or secondary?

Answer 7

Primary

Question 8

Human source of nitrogen oxides

Answer 8

All combustion like fossil fuels, wood, and other biomass.

Question 9

Natural source of nitrogen oxides

Answer 9

Lightning, forest fires, volcanoes.

Question 10

Effects/impacts of nitrogen oxides

Answer 10

Respiratory irritant, smog and ozone formation, nitric acid is harmful to fish and plants, over fertilization of ecosystems.

Question 11

Carbon monoxide symbol

Answer 11

CO

Question 12

Is carbon monoxide primary or secondary?

Answer 12

Primary

Question 13

Human source of carbon monoxide

Answer 13

Incomplete combustion, bad exhaust systems, poor ventilation.

Question 14

Natural source of carbon monoxide

Answer 14

Forest fires, volcanoes.

Question 15

Effects/impacts of carbon monoxide

Answer 15

Interferes with oxygen transport in blood, headaches, death.

Question 16

Particulate matter symbol

Answer 16

PMx

Question 17

Is particulate matter primary or secondary?

Answer 17

Primary

Question 18

Human source of particulate matter

Answer 18

Combustion, soil mobilizing activities.

Question 19

Natural source of particulate matter

Answer 19

Forest fires, volcanoes.

Question 20

Effects/impacts of particulate matter

Answer 20

Respiratory disease, death, reduced visibility, haze, smog.

Question 21

Lead symbol

Answer 21

Pb

Question 22

Is lead primary or secondary?

Answer 22

Primary

Question 23

Human source of lead

Answer 23

Oil, gas, old paint.

Question 24

Natural source of lead

Answer 24

The earth’s crust.

Question 25

Effects/impacts of lead

Answer 25

Nervous system issues, learning affects, inability to concentrate.

Question 26

Ozone symbol

Answer 26

O3

Question 27

Is ozone primary or secondary?

Answer 27

Secondary

Question 28

Human source of ozone

Answer 28

Combination of sun, water, oxygen, VOCs, and NOx.

Question 29

Natural source of ozone

Answer 29

Heat and sun use reactions with NOx and VOCs.

Question 30

Effects/impacts of ozone

Answer 30

Respiratory issues, degrades plant surfaces and materials like plastic.

Question 31

Volatile organic compounds symbol

Answer 31

VOCs

Question 32

Are volatile organic compounds primary or secondary?

Answer 32

Primary

Question 33

Human source of volatile organic compounds

Answer 33

Evaporation of fuels, solvents, and paint; improper combustion of fuels.

Question 34

Natural source of volatile organic compounds

Answer 34

Plants

Question 35

Effects/impacts of volatile organic compounds

Answer 35

Precursor to ozone formation.

Question 36

Mercury symbol

Answer 36

Hg

Question 37

Is mercury primary or secondary?

Answer 37

Primary

Question 38

Human source of mercury

Answer 38

Coal, oil, gold mining.

Question 39

Natural source of mercury

Answer 39

Volcanoes, ocean.

Question 40

Effects/impacts of mercury

Answer 40

Nervous system issues, bioaccumulates.

Question 41

Carbon dioxide symbol

Answer 41

CO2

Question 42

Is carbon dioxide primary or secondary?

Answer 42

Primary

Question 43

Human source of carbon dioxide

Answer 43

Combustion of fossil fuels and clearing land.

Question 44

Natural source of carbon dioxide

Answer 44

Combustion of biomass.

Question 45

Effects/impacts of carbon dioxide

Answer 45

Affects climates and ecosystems by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.

Question 46

Why isn't carbon dioxide a pollutant?

Answer 46

It is a greenhouse gas, so it indirectly causes environmental and human health effects, but not directly.

Question 47

Is PM10 or PM2.5 more harmful?

Answer 47

PM2.5 as it can travel deeper inside the lungs and cause more issues.

Question 48

Clean Air Act

Answer 48

Allows EPA to set acceptable levels for criteria air pollutants.