Question

What are primary and secondary pollutants? Explain with suitable examples.

Answer 1

1. PRIMARY POLLUTANTS:

Primary pollutants are the pollutants in which the emission is directly from the source and affects the atmosphere or air. The sources may volcanic eruptions and sandstorms etc.,

       Primary pollutants are carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen.

2.  SECONDARY POLLUTANTS:

       Secondary pollutants do not directly attack the air or atmosphere. The secondary pollutants are formed from the reaction between the pollutants of primary which attacks the atmosphere.

       Secondary pollutants are photochemical oxidants like ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur trioxide.