Geography 2152F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Volatile Organic Compound, Nitrogen Dioxide, Smog
19 Jan 2015
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Document Summary
Pollution has been an issue for several hundred years but became widespread during the industrial revolution. The primary source of early pollution was the burning of coal. Coal power plants are gradually being replaced by nuclear power plants in developed countries. Governments begin passing clean air acts in the mid-1900s. Air pollutant an airborne substance that threatens the health of people, animals or vegetation. Human sources (fixed or mobile): industries, vehicles, airplanes. Natural sources: dust, sand, volcanic eruptions, forest fires. Primary air pollutants: pollutants that enter the atmosphere directly, ex. exhaust from vehicles. Secondary air pollutants: pollutants that form as a result of a chemical reaction in the air, ex. acidic pollutants can form when gases react with water vapour. Volatile organic compounds are also known as hydrocarbons. Carbon monoxide: a toxic odourless gas forming from the combustion of fossil (carbon containing) fuels. Sulfur dioxide: a foul-smelling gas forming from the combustion of fossil fuels.
