Question

Differentiate between primary and secondary air pollutants. Give one example of each.

Answer 1

A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source. A secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.Examples of primary pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and particulate matter (PM). Examples of secondary pollutants include photochemical oxidants (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide) and secondary particulate matter