Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as particles. Ozone, a gas, is a major part of air pollution in cities. When ozone forms air pollution, it's also called smog.

1. Air Pollution
Chapter 10

2. • This can be defined as the
presence in the air of substances
that adversely affect its chemical
composition. The major pollutants
are particulates that are either
liquids or any tiny pieces of solid
matter that are found floating in
the air, like smoke, soot, dust and
fly ash.

3. Common Criteria Pollutants

4. Carbon Oxide (Co)
• A colorless, odorless but highly
toxic gas. This is produced by the
incomplete combustion of fossil
fuel. This gas binds irreversibly
with hemoglobin.

5. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• A natural non-toxic green house
gas in the atmosphere which has
been identified as the major
cause of global warning.

6. Nitrogen Oxide ( NO)
• A highly reactive gas that is
formed when nitrogen is heated to
high temperatures.

7. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
• A reddish brown gas that gives
photochemical smog its
distinctive color.

8. Sulfur Compounds
• A colorless corrosive compounds
as a result of combustion of fossil
fuels, which are directly
damaging to plants and animals.

9. Particulate Materials
• These are small suspended solids
or water droplets in the
atmosphere. These include ash,
dust, smoke soot and pollen.
Particular materials are
breathable for it has a size of not
more than 25-50 microns.

10. Acidification:
• Chemical reactions involving air
pollutants can create acidic compounds
which can cause harm to vegetation and
buildings. Sometimes, when an air
pollutant, such as sulfuric acid
combines with the water droplets that
make up clouds, the water droplets
become acidic, forming acid rain. When
acid rain falls over an area, it can kill
trees and harm animals, fish, and other
wildlife.

12. Air pollution prevention

13. Government (or community) level prevention
• Governments throughout the
world have already taken action
against air pollution by
introducing green energy. Some
governments are investing in wind
energy and solar energy, as well
as other renewable energy, to
minimize burning of fossil fuels,
which cause heavy air pollution.

14. Individual Level Prevention
• Encourage your family to use the
bus, train or bike when
commuting. If we all do this, there
will be less cars on road and less
fumes.