Main air pollutants:

In this article we give a general overview of the main air pollutants, where they come from and what the main environmental and health risks are.

Carbon monoxide (CO):

• Main Sources: means of combustion transport, industrial processes and combustion in general
• Environmental Risks: contributes to the formation of smog
• Health risks: visual problems, reduced physical and mental abilities, as it binds to hemoglobin, replacing the oxygen present in the blood.

Micro-dust / Suspended Particulate (PM10; PM2.5)

• Main sources: combustion processes, construction sites, industrial exhaust gases and combustion vehicles
• Environmental Risks: contribute to the formation of acid rain, damaging the ecosystem and human works, such as buildings and monuments
• Health risks: irritation of the respiratory tract which can lead to asthma and other diseases

Ozone (O₃):

• Main sources: industrial processes, exhaust gases from combustion vehicles, chemical solvents
• Environmental risks: damages the ecosystem by interfering with the metabolic processes of plants
• Health risks: reduction of lung capacity, irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract

Lead (Pb):

• Main sources: metallurgical industries, waste and fossil fuel combustion
• Environmental risks: contributes to the reduction of biodiversity in animal species
• Health risks: can cause disability and cardiovascular problems

Nitrogen Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO e NO₂):

• Main sources: industrial processes, power generation plants, emissions from combustion transport vehicles
• Environmental risks: contribute to the formation of smog and damage plants, compromising the ecosystem
• Health risks: irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract

Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂):

• Main sources: power generation plants, fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes
• Environmental risks: contributes to the formation of acid rain by damaging the ecosystem and human works, such as buildings and monuments
• Health risks: causes breathing difficulties, especially in individuals with previous medical conditions such as asthma or heart problems

If you want more information about it, stay with us, because in the next articles we will go into these pollutants by analyzing them in detail.