Environmental Science Chapter 12 Review

Air pollution is when harmful substances build up in the air to unhealthy levels.

A secondary pollutant forms when a primary pollutant comes into contact with other pollutants or naturally occurring substances.

<p>A primary pollutant must mix with another pollutant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The primary air pollutants are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate vehicle emissions in the United States.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The California Zero-Emission Vehicle Program requires that by 2016 all cars sold in California must be zero-emission.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The primary industrial air pollutants include burning fossil fuels releasing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, and VOCs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A scrubber is a machine that moves gases through a spray of water that dissolves many pollutants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An electrostatic precipitator is a machine used to remove dust particles from smoke stacks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Smog is when air pollution hangs over urban areas and reduces visibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Short-term effects include headache, nausea, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, and upper respiratory infections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Long-term effects include emphysema, lung cancer, and heart disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Indoor pollution occurs when poisonous substances are found in carpets, building materials, paints, and furniture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sick-building syndrome is when buildings have very poor air quality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Health effects include irritation of the respiratory system, reduction in lung function, and aggravation of asthma.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Radon gas is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless radioactive substance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Asbestos is a fire retardant substance formerly used as an insulator in building materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Noise pollution affects human health and the quality of human life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Light pollution is the overuse and waste of light.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acid precipitation contains high concentrations of acids.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acid precipitation forms when sulfur and nitrogen oxides combine with water in the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acidification changes the chemical makeup of soil and can wash away nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acid shock is the sudden influx of acidic water that causes a rapid change in the water's pH.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acid precipitation can poison crops and animals, as well as cause respiratory problems in children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acid precipitation can dissolve materials used to make buildings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Acid precipitation can cross borders, affecting countries that do not produce pollutants.</p> Signup and view all the answers