BIOL 1055 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Endocrine Disruptor, Spasm
Document Summary
Primary pollutants: pollutants released directly from a source. Secondary pollutants: primary pollutants that interact or react with the atmosphere. Residence time: amount of time a pollutant spends in the atmosphere. Carbon monoxide: colorless, odorless gas produced mostly by incomplete combustion of fuel. Sulfur dioxide: colorless gas with a strong odor, results from combustion of coal for electricity generation. Nitrogen oxide: family of compounds including nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, Results from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere at high temperatures during combustion in vehicle engines. Volatile organic compounds: carbon-containing chemicals emitted by vehicle engines and a wide variety of solvents, industrial processes, household chemicals, and consumer items. Particulate matter: composed of solid or liquid particles small enough to be suspended in the atmosphere, includes primary pollutants (dust/soot) and secondary pollutants (sulfates and nitrates) Lead: heavy metal enters the atmosphere as a particulate pollutant.
