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- The Common Air Pollutants
- (Criteria Air Pollutants)
Ozone (ground-level
ozone is the principal component of smog)
- Source - chemical reaction of
pollutants; VOCs and NOx
- Health Effects - breathing
problems, reduced lung function, asthma, irritates eyes, stuffy nose,
reduced resistance to colds and other infections, may speed up aging of
lung tissue
- Environmental Effects - ozone
can damage plants and trees; smog can cause reduced visibility
- Property Damage - Damages
rubber, fabrics, etc.
VOCs* (volatile
organic compounds); smog-formers
- Source - VOCs are released
from burning fuel (gasoline, oil, wood coal, natural gas, etc.), solvents,
paints glues and other products used at work or at home. Cars are an
important source of VOCs. VOCs include chemicals such as benzene, toluene,
methylene chloride and methyl chloroform
- Health Effects - In addition
to ozone (smog) effects, many VOCs can cause serious health problems such
as cancer and other effects
- Environmental Effects - In
addition to ozone (smog) effects, some VOCs such as formaldehyde and
ethylene may harm plants
- * All VOCs contain
carbon (C), the basic chemical element found in living beings.
Carbon-containing chemicals are called organic. Volatile chemicals escape
into the air easily. Many VOCs, such as the chemicals listed in the table,
are also hazardous air pollutants, which can cause very serious illnesses.
EPA does not list VOCs as criteria air pollutants, but they are included
in this list of pollutants because efforts to control smog target VOCs for
reduction.
Nitrogen Dioxide
(One of the NOx); smog-forming chemical
- Source - burning of gasoline,
natural gas, coal, oil etc. Cars are an important source of NO2.
- Health Effects - lung damage,
illnesses of breathing passages and lungs (respiratory system)
- Environmental Effects -
nitrogen dioxide is an ingredient of acid rain (acid aerosols), which can
damage trees and lakes. Acid aerosols can reduce visibility.
- Property Damage - acid
aerosols can eat away stone used on buildings, statues, monuments, etc.
Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
- Source - burning of gasoline,
natural gas, coal, oil etc.
- Health Effects - reduces
ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues; cells and
tissues need oxygen to work. Carbon monoxide may be particularly hazardous
to people who have heart or circulatory (blood vessel) problems and people
who have damaged lungs or breathing passages
Particulate Matter
(PM-10); (dust, smoke, soot)
- Source - burning of wood,
diesel and other fuels; industrial plants; agriculture (plowing, burning
off fields); unpaved roads
- Health Effects - nose and
throat irritation, lung damage, bronchitis, early death
- Environmental Effects -
particulates are the main source of haze that reduces visibility
- Property Damage - ashes, soots,
smokes and dusts can dirty and discolor structures and other property,
including clothes and furniture
Sulfur Dioxide
- Source - burning of coal and
oil, especially high-sulfur coal from the Eastern United States;
industrial processes (paper, metals)
- Health Effects - breathing
problems, may cause permanent damage to lungs
- Environmental Effects - SO2 is
an ingredient in acid rain (acid aerosols), which can damage trees and
lakes. Acid aerosols can also reduce visibility.
- Property Damage - acid
aerosols can eat away stone used in buildings, statues, monuments, etc.
Lead
- Source - leaded gasoline
(being phased out), paint (houses, cars), smelters (metal refineries);
manufacture of lead storage batteries
- Health Effects - brain and
other nervous system damage; children are at special risk. Some
lead-containing chemicals cause cancer in animals. Lead causes digestive
and other health problems.
- Environmental Effects - Lead
can harm wildlife.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Air Pollutants
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