|
POLLUTANT
|
SOURCES
|
EFFECTS
|
PREVENTION and CONTROL
|
|
Ozone (O3)
|
Formed when reactive organic
gases (ROG) and nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight. ROG
sources include any source that burns fuels (e.g., gasoline, natural gas,
wood, oil); solvents; petroleum processing and storage; and pesticides. |
Breathing difficulties, lung
tissue damage, vegetation damage, damage to rubber and some plastics |
Reduce motor vehicle reactive
organic gas (ROG) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions through emission standards,
reformulated fuels, inspections programs, and reduced vehicle use. Limit
ROG emissions from commercial operations and consumer products. Limit ROG
and NOx emissions from industrial sources such as power plants and refineries.
Conserve energy. |
|
Respirable Particulate Matter (PM10)
|
Road dust, windblown dust, agriculture and construction,
fireplaces. Also formed from other pollutants (acid rain, NOx, SOx, organics).
Incomplete combustion of any fuel. |
Increased respiratory disease, lung damage,
cancer, premature death, reduced visibility, surface soiling |
Control dust sources, industrial particulate
emissions, woodburning stoves and fireplaces. Reduce secondary pollutants
which react to form PM10. Conserve energy. |
|
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
|
Fuel combustion in motor vehicles, equipment,
and industrial sources; residential and agricultural burning. Also formed
from reaction of other pollutants (acid rain, NOx, SOx, organics). |
Increases respiratory disease, lung damage,
cancer, and premature death; reduced visibility; surface soiling |
Reduce combustion emissions from motor vehicles,
equipment, industries, and agricultural and residential burning. Precursor
controls, like those for ozone, reduce fine particle formation in the atmosphere. |
|
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
|
Any source that burns fuel
such as automobiles, trucks, heavy construction and farming equipment,
residential heating. |
Chest pain in heart patients,
headaches, reduced mental alertness |
Control motor vehicle and
industrial emissions. Use oxygenated gasoline during winter months. Conserve
energy. |
|
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
|
See Carbon Monoxide |
Lung irritation and damage. Reacts in the atmosphere
to form ozone and acid rain |
Control motor vehicle and industrial combustion
emissions. Conserve energy. |
|
Lead
|
Metal smelters, resource recovery,
leaded gasoline, deterioration of lead paint |
Learning disabilities, brain
and kidney damage |
Control metal smelters. No
lead in gasoline. Replace leaded paint with non-lead substitutes. |
|
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
|
Coal or oil burning power plants and industries,
refineries, diesel engines |
Increases lung disease and breathing problems
for asthmatics. Reacts in the atmosphere to form acid rain. |
Reduce use of high sulfur fuels (e.g., use low
sulfur reformulated diesel or natural gas). Conserve energy. |
|
Visibility Reducing Particles
|
See PM2.5 |
Reduces visibility (e.g. obscures
mountains and other scenery), reduced airport safety, lower real estate
value, discourages tourism |
See PM2.5 |
|
Sulfates
|
Produced by reaction in the air of SO2,
(see SO2 sources), a component of acid rain |
Breathing difficulties, aggravates asthma, reduced
visibility |
See SO2 |
|
Hydrogen Sulfide
|
Geothermal power plants, petroleum
production and refining, sewer gas |
Nuisance odor (rotten egg
smell), headache and breathing difficulties (higher concentrations) |
Control emissions from geothermal
power plants, petroleum production and refining, sewers, sewage treatment
plants |