Air Pollution Terms and Definitions: Pollutants, Gases & Smog

Air Pollution Terms and Definitions

• Air Pollution — The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere.
• Allergens — Substances that cause allergic reactions; sometimes part of air pollution.
• Benzene — A carcinogenic volatile organic compound (VOC) found in gasoline and industrial emissions.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) — A major greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels.
• Chemicals — Substances with a distinct molecular composition, often pollutants in this context.
• Climate Change — Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
• Combustion — The process of burning materials, often leading to air pollution.
• Dioxins — Highly toxic compounds produced during combustion processes.
• Emissions — Pollutants released into the air.
• Fluorinated Gases — Synthetic greenhouse gases used in industry.
• Fossil Fuels — Natural fuels like coal, oil, and gas formed from ancient organisms.
• Greenhouse Gases — Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane).
• Ground-Level Ozone — Harmful ozone near the Earth's surface formed from smog.
• Lead — A toxic metal pollutant often from fuel and industrial processes.
• Mercury — A toxic heavy metal pollutant.
• Methane (CH₄) — A potent greenhouse gas released by agriculture and fossil fuels.
• Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x) — Gases from combustion that contribute to smog and acid rain.
• Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) — A greenhouse gas commonly produced by fertilizers and combustion.
• Particles — Tiny solid or liquid substances suspended in the air.
• Photochemical Smog — A type of smog formed when sunlight reacts with air pollutants.
• Pollen Production — Increased by warmer weather, contributing to allergenic air pollution.
• Respiratory Distress — Breathing difficulty often caused by air pollutants.
• Smog — A form of air pollution that reduces visibility and harms health.
• Sulfur Oxides (SO_x) — Compounds released by burning coal and oil; they contribute to smog.
• Sulfurous Smog — Smog caused by burning sulfur-bearing fossil fuels.
• Toxic Pollutants — Harmful chemical substances in the air, such as mercury or benzene.
• Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) — A type of energy from the sun that can influence smog formation.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) — Organic chemicals that easily vaporize, contributing to smog.
• Waste Incineration — Burning of waste materials, which can release toxic pollutants.