Chapter 19 Section 1

pollutants - harmful substances that contaminate the environment human activities – industry, construction, power generation, transportation, and agriculture natural events – erupting volcanoes that spew out ash and toxic gases, smoke from fires

1.Primary – released directly into the air in a harmful form. 2.Secondary pollutants – are released directly, but become harmful only after they interact with other substances in the earth’s atmosphere: smog, brown haze.

Forms with the help of sunlight when nitrogen compounds and organic compounds react If landforms are present, they prevent wind from dispersing pollutants, so fog forms readily A temperature inversion reduces the amount of air mixing in the atmosphere ad can cause pollutants to accumulate near the surface

Precipitation with less than 5.6 is called acid rain Acid rain damages surfaces and structures in addition to harming plant and animal life Winds carry pollutants and cause the Northeastern US to have more acid precipitation

Suspended solid particles and liquid droplets are called particulate matter 1. coarse particles are about 1/7 the diameter of human hair. 2. fine particles are about ¼ the size of coarse particles

Toxic air pollutants – cause cancer or other serious human health problems They also damage other organisms

CFCs are compounds that destroy the ozone layer. (used in aerosols, refrigerants, airconditioners) No longer produced, but will take a long time to disappear