Prepare a list of major pollutants along with their chrmical formula
Answers
List of Major Pollutant, their sources and their effects on Humans and Environment
1. Oxides of Carbon (COx)
Types: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon monoxide (CO)
Sources of Production: Combustion of coal, oil and other fuels for energy production manufacturing and transport Biomass burning.
Effects on Humans and Environment: C02 has a major role in green-house effect, produces weak carbonic acid adding to acid rains; CO affects human health by binding to hemoglobin, which may result in asphyxia; hemoglobin has 250 times more affinity with CO as compared to that of O2.
2. Oxides of sulphur (SOx)
Types: Sulphur dioxide (SO2); Sulphur trioxide (SO3); Sulphate (SO4)
Sources of Production: Combustion of sulphur containing fuel e.g., coal, petroleum extraction and refining; paper manufacturing; municipal incinerating; ore smelting for metal extraction
Effects on Humans and Environment: SO2 has maximum deleterious effects as it damage to human and other animal lungs and is important precursor to acid rain; adverse effects include corrosion of paint, metals and injury or death to animals and plants.
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3. Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
Type: Nitrogen oxide (NO); Nitrogen dioxide (N02); Nitrous oxide (N20) ; Nitrate (N03)
Sources of Production: Burning of fuels; biomass burning; by product in the manufacturing of fertilizers
Effects on Humans and Environment: Form the secondary pollutants: peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN) and nitric acid (HNO3); suppression of plant growth and tissue damage; cause irritation to eyes, viral infections like influenza; nitrate form in atmosphere impairs the visibility whereas in soil promotes the plant growth.
4. Hydrocarbons (HCs) also called Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Types: Methane (CH4), Butane (C4H10), Ethylene (C2H4), Benzene (C6H6), Propane (C3H8)
Sources of Production: Evaporation from gasoline tanks, carburettors; burning of fuels; biomass; municipal lard fills; microbial activity of sewage; industrial process involving solvents changes that occur in.
Effects on Humans and Environment: Can have carcinogenic effect on humans; higher concentrations are toxic to plants and animals; can convert into harmful compounds through complex chemical atmosphere; some are more reactive with sunlight and produce photochemical smog.
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5. Other organic compounds
Types: Chlorofluoro carbon (CFCs), Formaldehyde (CH20), Methylene chloride (CH2Cl2), Trichloro Ethylene (C2HCl3), Vinyl chloride (C2H3C1), Carbon tetra chloride (CC14), Ethylene Oxide (C2H40)
Sources of Production: Aerosol sprays; foam and plastics for making disposable fast food containers; refrigeration
Effects on Humans and Environment: CFCs cause reduction in stratospheric ozone that allows greater penetration of ultraviolet light at earth surface; intensified UV radiations cause skin cancer and can have lethal effects on various; life forms.
6. Metals and other inorganic Compounds
Types: Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
Sources of Production: Oil wells and refineries; transport vehicles; municipal landfills; fertilizer, ceramic, paper, chemical and paint industries pesticides; fungicides; aluminium production; coal gasification
Effects on Humans and Environment: Cause respiratory problems, toxicity and even death to humans and other animals; damage to crops; prove to be carcinogenic.
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7. Liquid droplets
Types: Sulphuric acid (H2S04), Nitric acid (HNO3) –Oil, Pesticides e.g. DDT and Malathion
Sources of Production: Agriculture pesticides; fumigation; oil refineries; reactions of pollutants in the atmosphere .
Effects on Humans and Environment: Contribute to acid rains; corrosion; damage to various life forms
8. Suspended particulate Matter (SPM-solid Particles)
Types: Dust, soil, sulphate Salts, heavy metal salts, Fire particles of carbon (soot), silica, asbestos, Liquid sprays, mist etc.
Sources of Production: Fuel combustion; building constructions; mining; thermal power stations; stone crushing; industrial processes; forest fires; refuse incineration.
Effects on Humans and Environment: Have chronic effects on respiratory system; deposition on the surface of green leaves thus interfering with absorption of C02 and release of 02; blocking of sunlight; particles size that range between 0.1 to 10um, cause greatest lung damage .
9. Photochemical oxidants
Types: Ozone (03), Peroxyacly Nitrates (PANs),
Sources of Production: Photochemical reactions in the atmosphere that involve sunlight, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons.
Effects on Humans and Environment: Produce haze; irritation to eyes, nose and throat; respiratory problems; blocking of sunlight
In the above list of Major Pollutant, their sources and their effects on Humans and Environment gives extracted revision capsule for the aspirants of different examinations.