If you want to learn more about the specifics about air pollution, read our brief guide to the six major types and their particular qualities.
The Environmental Protection Agency sets air quality standards for six different types of air pollutants. These pollutants include nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, particulate matter, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, and lead.
Nitrogen Oxides
Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are a noteworthy pollutant class. This gaseous pollutant is a byproduct of fossil fuel burning. The decades-long rise in asthma rates is connected to the rising incidence of NOx. Nitrogen oxides are also part of the reaction that creates ground-level ozone, and it’s a major component in acid rain. Many more negative health effects, including respiratory issues, increased allergen sensitivity, and even lung cancer, are also associated with nitrogen oxides.
Sulfur Oxides
Sulfur oxides, or SOx, form during fuel combustion reactions and constitute part of the chemical soup that results in acid rain. They play a role in respiratory system irritation, and they can also react with surrounding substances (including NOx) to create particulate matter.
Particulate Matter
Particulate matter (PM) is a category that includes a mix of various airborne substances that combine into a larger particle, causing havoc when inhaled. These particles, which can include dust or soot, can be visible, but many are invisible to the naked eye. They damage the body when you breathe them in, and they can enter your respiratory system or even your bloodstream.
Ground-Level Ozone
The word “ozone” has positive connotations because the ozone layer protects us from the sun’s radiation. However, ground-level ozone (O3) isn’t part of this protective layer—in fact, it’s the main ingredient in smog. It forms when fossil fuel emissions react in the presence sunlight. Ground-level ozone induces respiratory irritation and inflammation, and it particularly harms people with existing respiratory vulnerabilities.
Carbon Monoxide
One type of air pollutant that people understand is carbon monoxide (CO). Like many other pollutants, it forms during the fossil fuel-burning process in vehicles, industrial facilities, and more. The dangers of CO are common indoors; its intake prevents the body from getting oxygen in the bloodstream. Signs that someone has breathed in this pollutant include dizziness, unconsciousness, and—if they inhaled a high enough concentration—even death
Lead
People typically think of lead as a heavy substance, but the substance can and does become airborne when leaded fuel burns or when plants process metal or ore. Lead is dangerous because it can damage many of your bodily systems by impairing your heart, kidneys, nerve, reproductive organs, and much more.