Science—Environment, Energy, and Nature—Environment

Major Air Pollutants

Pollutant Sources Effects

Ozone. A gas that can be found in Ozone is not created directly, but Ozone near th
two places. Near the ground (the is formed when nitrogen oxides cause a numb
troposphere), it is a major part of and volatile organic compounds problems. Ozo
smog. Higher in the air (the mix in sunlight. That is why more frequent
stratosphere), it helps block ozone is mostly found in the people who ha
radiation from the sun. summer. Nitrogen oxides come can cause sor
from burning gasoline, coal, or and breathing
other fossil fuels. There are many even lead to p
types of volatile organic Ozone can als
compounds, and they come from crops.
sources ranging from factories to
trees.
Carbon monoxide. A gas that Carbon monoxide is released Carbon monox
comes from the burning of fossil when engines burn fossil fuels. for body parts
fuels, mostly in cars. It cannot be Emissions are higher when they need to ru
seen or smelled. engines are not tuned properly, Exposure to ca
and when fuel is not completely makes people
burned. Cars emit a lot of the tired and gives
carbon monoxide found headaches. El
outdoors. Furnaces and heaters heart disease
in the home can emit high more often wh
concentrations of carbon exposed to hig
monoxide, too, if they are not carbon monox
properly maintained.
Nitrogen dioxide. A reddish-brown Nitrogen dioxide mostly comes High levels of
gas that comes from the burning of from power plants and cars. exposure can
fossil fuels. It has a strong smell at Nitrogen dioxide is formed in two coughs and ca
high levels. ways—when nitrogen in the fuel short of breath
is burned, or when nitrogen in the exposed to nit
air reacts with oxygen at very a long time ha
high temperatures. Nitrogen chance of gett
dioxide can also react in the infections. Acid
atmosphere to form ozone, acid plants and ani
rain, and particles. make lakes da
or fish in.
Particulate matter. Solid or liquid Particulate matter can be divided Particulate ma