Introduction to Air Pollution - AP Environmental Science
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What is a secondary pollutant?
What is a secondary pollutant?
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Pollutant formed by reaction of primary pollutants. Forms when primary pollutants undergo chemical reactions in atmosphere.
Pollutant formed by reaction of primary pollutants. Forms when primary pollutants undergo chemical reactions in atmosphere.
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Identify a consequence of ozone layer depletion.
Identify a consequence of ozone layer depletion.
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Increased UV radiation reaching Earth's surface. Stratospheric ozone depletion allows harmful UV rays through.
Increased UV radiation reaching Earth's surface. Stratospheric ozone depletion allows harmful UV rays through.
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What is the main anthropogenic source of CO₂ emissions?
What is the main anthropogenic source of CO₂ emissions?
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Burning of fossil fuels for energy. Human activities release stored carbon into atmosphere.
Burning of fossil fuels for energy. Human activities release stored carbon into atmosphere.
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Identify a primary indoor air pollutant.
Identify a primary indoor air pollutant.
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Formaldehyde from building materials. Volatile organic compound released from construction materials.
Formaldehyde from building materials. Volatile organic compound released from construction materials.
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What is the significance of the Montreal Protocol?
What is the significance of the Montreal Protocol?
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International treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances. Global agreement that successfully reduced ozone depletion.
International treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances. Global agreement that successfully reduced ozone depletion.
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Identify a method to reduce vehicle emissions.
Identify a method to reduce vehicle emissions.
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Use of catalytic converters. Chemical devices that convert harmful gases to less toxic compounds.
Use of catalytic converters. Chemical devices that convert harmful gases to less toxic compounds.
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What is the purpose of air scrubbers in industrial settings?
What is the purpose of air scrubbers in industrial settings?
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Remove pollutants from exhaust streams. Chemical or physical systems that capture harmful emissions.
Remove pollutants from exhaust streams. Chemical or physical systems that capture harmful emissions.
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What are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) commonly used in?
What are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) commonly used in?
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Refrigerants and aerosol propellants. Synthetic compounds that deplete stratospheric ozone layer.
Refrigerants and aerosol propellants. Synthetic compounds that deplete stratospheric ozone layer.
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Which pollutant has a major role in forming ground-level ozone?
Which pollutant has a major role in forming ground-level ozone?
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reacts with $NO_x$ in sunlight to form ground-level ozone.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reacts with $NO_x$ in sunlight to form ground-level ozone.
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Which agency monitors air quality in the United States?
Which agency monitors air quality in the United States?
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal agency responsible for air quality standards and enforcement.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal agency responsible for air quality standards and enforcement.
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What is the main component of smog?
What is the main component of smog?
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Ground-level ozone (O₃). Forms when sunlight reacts with $NO_x$ and VOCs.
Ground-level ozone (O₃). Forms when sunlight reacts with $NO_x$ and VOCs.
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What does AQI stand for?
What does AQI stand for?
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Air Quality Index. Scale from 0-500 indicating air pollution health risk levels.
Air Quality Index. Scale from 0-500 indicating air pollution health risk levels.
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What is the main source of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)?
What is the main source of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)?
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Combustion engines and industrial processes. High-temperature combustion produces nitrogen oxides.
Combustion engines and industrial processes. High-temperature combustion produces nitrogen oxides.
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Identify a primary pollutant from vehicle emissions.
Identify a primary pollutant from vehicle emissions.
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Carbon monoxide (CO). Released directly from vehicle exhaust without chemical transformation.
Carbon monoxide (CO). Released directly from vehicle exhaust without chemical transformation.
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What is the primary environmental impact of methane as a pollutant?
What is the primary environmental impact of methane as a pollutant?
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Significant greenhouse effect contributing to climate change. Methane has 25x greater warming potential than $CO_2$.
Significant greenhouse effect contributing to climate change. Methane has 25x greater warming potential than $CO_2$.
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What is the effect of air pollution on visibility?
What is the effect of air pollution on visibility?
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Decreases visibility through haze formation. Particles scatter light, reducing visual clarity.
Decreases visibility through haze formation. Particles scatter light, reducing visual clarity.
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What is a temperature inversion in the context of air pollution?
What is a temperature inversion in the context of air pollution?
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A layer of warm air traps pollutants near the ground. Prevents vertical air mixing, concentrating pollutants at surface.
A layer of warm air traps pollutants near the ground. Prevents vertical air mixing, concentrating pollutants at surface.
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Identify a strategy to mitigate air pollution from power plants.
Identify a strategy to mitigate air pollution from power plants.
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Installation of scrubbers and filters. End-of-pipe technologies that remove pollutants before emission.
Installation of scrubbers and filters. End-of-pipe technologies that remove pollutants before emission.
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Identify a health risk of exposure to ground-level ozone.
Identify a health risk of exposure to ground-level ozone.
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Aggravates asthma and reduces lung function. Ground-level ozone irritates respiratory system.
Aggravates asthma and reduces lung function. Ground-level ozone irritates respiratory system.
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What is the main source of sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?
What is the main source of sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?
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Burning of fossil fuels by power plants. Coal and oil combustion releases sulfur compounds as $SO_2$.
Burning of fossil fuels by power plants. Coal and oil combustion releases sulfur compounds as $SO_2$.
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What is a common source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
What is a common source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
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Paints and solvents. Organic chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature.
Paints and solvents. Organic chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature.
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What are the health risks of exposure to high levels of lead in the air?
What are the health risks of exposure to high levels of lead in the air?
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Neurological and developmental damage. Lead affects brain and nervous system development.
Neurological and developmental damage. Lead affects brain and nervous system development.
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What is PM2.5?
What is PM2.5?
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Particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers. Fine particles penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream.
Particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers. Fine particles penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream.
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Which type of pollution can cause eutrophication in water bodies?
Which type of pollution can cause eutrophication in water bodies?
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Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) from air pollution. Nitrogen compounds act as fertilizers, causing algal overgrowth.
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) from air pollution. Nitrogen compounds act as fertilizers, causing algal overgrowth.
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What is the effect of acid rain on aquatic ecosystems?
What is the effect of acid rain on aquatic ecosystems?
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Lowers pH, harming aquatic life. Acidification disrupts aquatic food chains and ecosystems.
Lowers pH, harming aquatic life. Acidification disrupts aquatic food chains and ecosystems.
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What is the role of sunlight in the formation of photochemical smog?
What is the role of sunlight in the formation of photochemical smog?
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Sunlight triggers reactions forming smog. UV radiation catalyzes reactions between $NO_x$ and VOCs.
Sunlight triggers reactions forming smog. UV radiation catalyzes reactions between $NO_x$ and VOCs.
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Which gas is a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming?
Which gas is a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming?
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Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Traps heat in atmosphere through greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Traps heat in atmosphere through greenhouse effect.
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Name a health effect of air pollution.
Name a health effect of air pollution.
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Respiratory diseases such as asthma. Particulates and gases irritate airways and lungs.
Respiratory diseases such as asthma. Particulates and gases irritate airways and lungs.
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Which pollutant is colorless and odorless, making it dangerous indoors?
Which pollutant is colorless and odorless, making it dangerous indoors?
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Carbon monoxide (CO). Binds to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport in blood.
Carbon monoxide (CO). Binds to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport in blood.
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Which pollutant is typically removed by baghouse filters?
Which pollutant is typically removed by baghouse filters?
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Particulate matter (PM). Fabric filters physically trap solid particles from gas streams.
Particulate matter (PM). Fabric filters physically trap solid particles from gas streams.
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