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Air Pollution

Air Pollution. Chapter 19 Section 1. What causes air pollution?. pollutants - harmful substances that contaminate the environment human activities – industry, construction, power generation, transportation, and agriculture

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Air Pollution

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  1. Air Pollution Chapter 19 Section 1

  2. What causes air pollution? • pollutants - harmful substances that contaminate the environment • human activities – industry, construction, power generation, transportation, and agriculture • natural events – erupting volcanoes that spew out ash and toxic gases, smoke from fires

  3. Types of Pollutants • Primary – released directly into the air in a harmful form. • Secondary pollutants – are released directly, but become harmful only after they interact with other substances in the earth’s atmosphere: smog, brown haze.

  4. Photochemical smog • Forms with the help of sunlight when nitrogen compounds and organic compounds react • If landforms are present, they prevent wind from dispersing pollutants, so fog forms readily • A temperature inversion reduces the amount of air mixing in the atmosphere ad can cause pollutants to accumulate near the surface

  5. Acid Rain • Precipitation with less than 5.6 is called acid rain • Acid rain damages surfaces and structures in addition to harming plant and animal life • Winds carry pollutants and cause the Northeastern US to have more acid precipitation

  6. Particulate Matter • Suspended solid particles and liquid droplets are called particulate matter • 1. coarse particles are about 1/7 the diameter of human hair. • 2. fine particles are about ¼ the size of coarse particles

  7. Toxic Air Pollutants • Toxic air pollutants – cause cancer or other serious human health problems • They also damage other organisms

  8. Chloroflourocarbons CFCs • CFCs are compounds that destroy the ozone layer. (used in aerosols, refrigerants, airconditioners) • No longer produced, but will take a long time to disappear

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