EFFECTS AND CAUSES OF POLLUTION Air pollution is the introduct ion harmful materials into theEarth's atmospher e, causing disease, death to humans and damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or the natural orbuilt environment. These harmful materials are most often caused by the combustion of fuels where the fuels (heat releasing substances) produce harmful by products (impurities). There are 5 main air pollutants: 1. Carbon Monoxide. What is it?Carbon monoxide is a poisonous and colourless gas which is given off whenever fossil fuels are burnt. It is also naturally produced from the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter- when methane reacts with oxygen (2CH4 (g)+3O2(g)->2CO(g)+4H20(l)) as well as by natural processes such as volcanoes and forest fires. How are they formed? Carbon monoxide is produced when incomplete combustion occurs. Complete combustion is when the combustion of hydrocarbons produce carbon dioxide and water (as shown in diagram 1). This requires access to a v ast quantity of oxygen, however if an unsufficient amount of oxygen is present- then instead of carbon dioxide- carbon monoxideis formed. The amount of oxygen present strongly correlates to the amount of carbon monoxide produced and when there is even less oxygen available carbon ‘soot’ Is produced. 2.Nitrogen Oxides (NO, NO2, N2O4): How are nitrogen Oxides formed? Nitrogen Oxides are produced as part of t he combustion process. As the air consists of almost 80% N2, the high temperatures and sparks which ignite the
