| POLLUTANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Classes of Pollutants | Examples | Effects |
| Fine, suspended particles (fumes, dust, smoke, aerosols, etc.. | PM10 | Respiratory problems: irritates lungs & bronchial tree; aggravates asthma & emphysema; particles carry other pollutants into lungs where they remain indefinitely. Corrodes metals, soils, materials, buildings |
| Ozone | O3 | Respiratory problems: damages lining of lung cells; causes inflammation, edema, coughing, chest pain. Alters immune response. Causes the condensation of mitochondria into larger structures with abnormal cristae. Breaksdown lysosomes, releasing enzymes that shorten cellular lifespan. Causes "leaky" membranes and effects enzymatic activities. Inhibits photosynthesis. Corrodes rubber, cotton, cellulose, leather, paints, elastomers, plastics, nylon, fabric dyes. |
| Oxides of Nitrogen | NOox (NO2, NO1, N2O, N2O3, NO2O5) |
Respiratory problems: (similar to those mentioned above). Discolors atmosphere. Catalytic influence in the depletion of the stratosphere's ozone layer. Precursor to acid rain or fog. Can be toxic to plants due to acidification reactions. Inhibit cellular respiration. Attack fat molecules. |
| Sulfur Dioxide | SO2 SOx |
Irritates bronchioles, lungs; aggravates lung diseases. Damages cuticular surfaces of leaves of grasses and cereal crops. Causes "leaky" membranes. Inhibits photosynthesis by changing the pH of chloroplasts. Reduces growth and yield of crop plants, pines & other trees, lichens, and mosses. (Reduces yield of grasses as much as 50% in winter or under low light conditions.) Destroys paint pigments, corrodes metals, statues, textiles, etc.. Precursor to acid rain. |
| Carbon Monoxide | CO | Interferes with blood transport of oxygen. Causes shortness of breath. Precipitate angina in individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease. High indoor levels are lethal. |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs, hydrodarbons) | Benzene, benzopyrene, butane, methane, ethylene, vinyl chloride, methylene chloride, formaldehyde, chloroform, trichloroethylene, etc.. | Reduce ozone. Increase susceptibility of plants to insects. Reduce growth and yield. Promote photochemical smog. Highly interactive with other air pollutants. |
| Acid deposition | HONO2 (HNO3) H2SO4 | Increase acidity in soil, rivers, lakes, streamwater. This causes mobilization or leaching of nutrients. Changes pigment levels in plants. Kills fish (pH 3.0 - 3.4). Harms salmon, trout eggs. Reduced calcium content in bird eggshells
|