Air pollution emitted from transportation
contributes to smog, and to poor air quality, which has negative impacts on the health and welfare of U.S. citizens. Pollutants that contribute to poor air quality include particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NO
x
), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
What are the three main causes of smog?
Smog is often caused by
heavy traffic, high temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds
. These are a few of the factors behind an increasing level of air pollution in the atmosphere.
What is the main source of smog?
Nitrogen oxides come from car exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions. VOCs are released from gasoline, paints, and many cleaning solvents. When
sunlight
hits these chemicals, they form airborne particles and ground-level ozone—or smog.
What is the major contributor of pollution?
The main source of household air pollution is the
indoor burning of fossil fuels, wood and other biomass-based fuels to cook, heat and light homes
.
What is the major photochemical smog?
The major undesirable components of photochemical smog are
nitrogen dioxide (NO
2
), ozone (O
3
)
, PAN (peroxyacetylnitrate), and chemical compounds that contain the –CHO group (aldehydes). PAN and aldehydes can cause eye irritation and plant damage if their concentrations are sufficiently high.
Why is smog bad?
Smog can irritate your eyes, nose and throat
. Or it can worsen existing heart and lung problems or perhaps cause lung cancer with regular long-term exposure. It also results in early death. Studies on ozone show that once it gets into your lungs, it can continue to cause damage even when you feel fine.
What type of smog is harmful?
Smog is a serious problem in many cities and continues to harm human health.
Ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide
are especially harmful for senior citizens, children, and people with heart and lung conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma.
How can you protect yourself from smog?
- Be aware. …
- Limit your exposure. …
- Avoid using gas-powered engines, pesticides, and oil-based paints. …
- Stay hydrated. …
- Consider exercising indoors in a smoke-free, air-conditioned environment. …
- Drive less. …
- Protect those at higher risk of health problems.
What made this smog worse than others before it?
This smog was worse than others before it. The weather was very cold.
People were burning more coal than usual to stay warm
. And there was no wind to clear away the dirty air.
What can we do to prevent smog?
Walking, carpooling or using public transportation
all help cut smog. Keeping a car in good condition, such as changing oil on time and keeping tires fully inflated, can help increase gas mileage, reducing emissions.
What is the biggest source of pollution?
Mobile, stationary, area, and natural sources all emit pollution into the air. Mobile sources account for more than half of all the air pollution in the United States and the primary mobile source of air pollution is
the automobile
, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
What are the 10 causes of air pollution?
- The Burning of Fossil Fuels. …
- Industrial Emission. …
- Indoor
Air Pollution
. … - Wildfires. …
- Microbial Decaying Process. …
- Transportation. …
- Open Burning of Garbage Waste. …
- Construction and Demolition.
What are the human activities that destroy the environment?
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways:
overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation
. Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water.
Which gas is responsible for photochemical smog?
Hydrocarbons,
oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide
are responsible for photochemical smog.
How does a photochemical smog look like?
Photochemical smog is a type of smog produced when ultraviolet light from the sun reacts with nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. … It is
visible as a brown haze
, and is most prominent during the morning and afternoon, especially in densely populated, warm cities.
What can be caused by photochemical smog?
Breathing problems
can become aggravated due to prolonged exposure to smog conditions. Some of the toxins created by chemical reactions in the photochemical smog are carcinogenic. The acidic nature of the smog can also cause environmental damage and structural decay in dwellings.
