Inorganic Products From Smog and It

INORGANIC PRODUCTS FROM SMOG AND IT’S EFFECTS
 Reactivity of Hydrocarbons
 The reactivity of hydrocarbons in the smog formation process is an
important consideration in understanding the process and in developing
control strategies.
 It is useful to know which the most reactive hydrocarbons are so that their
release can be minimized.
 Less reactive hydrocarbons, of which propane is a good example, may
cause smog formations far downwind from the point of release.
 Two major classes of inorganic products from smog are:
 Sulfates
 Nitrates
 Oxidation of SO2 and H2S
 Relatively slow in a clean atmosphere, it is much faster under smoggy
conditions.
 During severe photochemical smog conditions, oxidation rates of 5-10% per
may occur, as compared to only a fraction of a percent per hour under
normal atmosphere. Thus, sulfur dioxide exposed to smog can produce very
high local concentration of sulphate, which can aggravate already had
atmospheric conditions.
 Oxidants species in smog that can oxidize SO2
 molecular species: O3, NO3, N2O3
 Reactive radical species: HO, HOO, O, RO and ROO
 Formation of nitrates and nitric acid
 Among the important reactions forming nitric acid are the reaction of NO
with water and the addition of hydroxyl radical to NO. The oxidation of NO
or NO to nitrate species may occur after absorption of gas by an aerosol
droplet. Nitric acid formed by these reactions reacts with ammonia in the
atmosphere to form ammonium nitrate:
 NH2 + HNO3 NH3NO3
 Nitric acid and nitrates are among the more damaging end products of
smog. In addition to possible effects on plants and animals, they can cause
severe corrosion problems.
 EFFECTS OF PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
 Smog is a serious problem in many cities and continues to harm human
health. Ground-level ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon
monoxide are especially harmful for senior citizens, children, and people
with heart and lung conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, and
asthma.
 Effects on human health
1. Nitrogen oxides :
a. Eye and respiratory system irritants
b. Lung disease
2. Sulfur dioxides and particulate material:

a. Irritate respiratory tract
b. Impair ability of lungs to exchange gasses
3. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

a. global warming-methane
b. carcinogenic- benzene
c. form ozone
4. Nitrates or Peroxyacetyl Nitrates (PAN)
 PAN has been described as highly oxidized unstable organic compound
which has been found to be a constituent of polluted atmospheres.
Because of the toxic and irritating properties which nitrates has been
shown to human beings. It was postulated that the presence of PAN in the
polluted photochemical atmosphere of large areas of California could
contribute to a detrimental effect upon the cardio respiratory efficiency of
human being.
 Ozone
 Effects on human health: Low concentrations of ground- level ozone can
irritate the eyes, nose and throat. As smog increases, it can trigger more
serious health problems, including:
a. Causes burning eyes, coughing, and chest discomfort
b. Greater health threat to children than adults
c. Air pollution can restrict lung development
d. Children breathe more often than adults
e. Children who live in high ozone areas are more likely to develop
asthma
f. As a result, diversity and population of some fresh water species
will be reduced
 Effects on vegetation materials:
 Vegetation is easily harmed main agents of damage. The enhanced
greenhouse effect the pollutants emitted into atmosphere are implicated in
numerous environmental problems. Ozone, for example, is not only a major
component of smog; it also contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect,
which is predicted to lead to global climate change.
 Effects on materials:
 Smog can also accelerate the deterioration of rubber, plastics, paints and
dyes. Damage to metals, stone, concrete, clothing, rubber and plastic is
directly related to contaminants in the air. The typical culprits are sulfur
dioxide, sulphuric acid, ozone (photochemical smog), and nitric acid
(HNO3). Damage to crops and materials alone amounts to roughly $10
billion dollars a year.

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INORGANIC PRODUCTS FROM SMOG AND IT’S EFFECTS

2. Sulfur dioxides and particulate material:

3. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

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