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Criteria Pollutants
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POLLUTANT
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DESCRIPTION
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SOURCES
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HEALTH EFFECTS
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Lead (Pb)
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Soft, weak, ductile, dull gray metal. Tarnishes in moist air but stable to oxygen
and water, dissolves in nitric acid. Used in batteries, cables, paints, glass, solder,
petrol, radiation shielding, etc.
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Smelters and battery plants are the major sources of lead in the air. The highest
concentrations of lead are found in the vicinity of nonferrous smelters and other
stationary sources of lead emissions.
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Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that hurts almost all body organ, particularly the
kidneys, red blood cells, and central nervous system. In young children, lead retards
the development of the central nervous system and brain.
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Ozone (O3)
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Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with one
another in the presence of sunlight and warm temperatures.
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Some of the common sources include gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, combustion
products of fuels, and consumer products. Emissions of NOx and VOC from motor vehicles
and stationary sources can be carried hundreds of miles from their origins, and
result in high ozone concentrations over very large regions.
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The effects from ozone can be irritated eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system.
These conditions can be especially bad for people with chronic heart and lung disease.
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Carbon Monoxide (CO)
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An odorless, tasteless, colorless gas, which is emitted primarily from any form
of combustion.
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Mobile sources such as automobiles, trucks, buses. Wood stoves, open burning, and
Industrial combustion sources.
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Carbon Monoxide deprives the body of oxygen by reducing the blood’s capacity to
carry oxygen; causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, listlessness and in high doses,
may cause death.
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Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
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Sulfur dioxide belongs to family of gases called sulfur oxides (SOx).
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These gases are formed when fuel containing sulfur (mainly coal and oil) is burned,
and during metal smelting and other industrial processes.
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The major health concerns associated with exposure to high concentrations of SO2
include effects on breathing, respiratory illness, alterations in pulmonary defenses,
and aggravation of existing cardiovascular disease. Children, the elderly, and people
with asthma, cardiovascular disease or chronic lung disease (such as bronchitis
or emphysema), are most susceptible to adverse health effects associated with exposure.
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Particulate Matter (PM10) & (PM2.5)
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Particles of dust, soot and unburned fuel suspended in the air.
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Wood stoves, Industry, Dust, Construction, Street Sand, and Open Burning.
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Particulate matter aggravates ailments such as bronchitis and emphysema; especially
bad for those with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and
old and pregnant women.
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Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
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A poisonous gas produced when nitrogen oxide is a by-product of sufficiently high
burning temperatures
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Fossil fuel power sources, mobile sources, Industrial equipment, and Fertilizer
Manufacturing.
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Harmful to lungs.
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