Chapter 11.

4
Pollutant Source Adverse effects Catalytic converters

Incomplete combustion of Toxic, prevents red blood

Carbon cells from carrying oxygen.
1 monoxide carbon-containing Fitted in car exhausts to convert toxic gases into safe gases
substances, e.g. petrol in CO is colourless &
CO
car engines odorless → no warning
Catalyst: platinum
2NO(g) + 2CO(g) > N₂(g) + 2NO₂(g)
1. Acid rain. SO₂ reacts
Burning of fossil fuels with water in
2 Sulfur dioxide (coal, petroleum) atmosphere → acid
containing sulfur rain
SO₂ compounds. E.g. in 2. Respiratory problems:
factories & power stations lung diseases,
Acid rain
breathing difficulties

1. Damages trees
Car engines. Due to very
high temperature, nitrogen 2. Damages limestone buildings & cement
& oxygen from air react
Oxides of together. 1. Acid rain 3. Makes lakes too acidic for fish to live in
3 nitrogen 2. Photochemical smog
N₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2NO(g)
NO, NO₂ 3. Respiratory problems 4. Increases acidity of soil & removes minerals from soil
2NO(g) + O₂(g) → 2NO₂(g)
Removed by catalytic 5. Increases rate of metal corrosion → damages metal work
converters

Carbon Greenhouse gas →

Complete combustion of increases global warming
4 carbon-containing fuels
dioxide CO₂
→ climate change

Increased risk of How to reduce Acid rain

Incomplete combustion of
5 Particulates respiratory problems and
carbon-containing fuels
cancer
1. Use catalytic converters
Decomposition of Greenhouse gas → 2. Using low-sulfur Fuels
Methane
6 vegetation & waste gases increases global warming
CH₄ from digestion in animals → climate change 3. Flue gas desulfurization with CaO