air pollutants
Harmful airborne particles
Air pollutants are substances in the atmosphere that harm human health, damage ecosystems, or degrade air quality.
They include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.
Some occur naturally from wildfires or volcanic eruptions; most result from human activity—vehicle emissions, industrial processes, power generation.
The city monitors air pollutants to issue health advisories.
Toxic combustion byproduct gas
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- nitrogen oxidesCombustion byproducts harming air quality
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
benzene · formaldehyde · methane · dioxins · chlorofluorocarbons · hydrochlorofluorocarbons · hydrogen sulfide · toluene
Fine settled particles
- sootCarbon from incomplete burning
- ashCombustion's powdery remains
- smokeAirborne combustion byproduct
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
particulate matter · PM2.5 · aerosols · fine particles · fly ash · road dust · construction dust · brake dust
Dense metal, symbol Pb
- mercuryLiquid metallic element
- cadmiumElement forty-eight
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- chromiumElement twenty-four
nickel · beryllium · manganese · zinc · copper · antimony · cobalt · selenium
Radioactive inert gas
- asbestosFibrous fireproofing mineral
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- tobacco smokeCombusted leaf vapor
- mold sporesReproductive fungal cells
carbon monoxide · cooking fumes · off-gassing · building materials · paint fumes · air fresheners · dust mites · pet dander
Machines for transportation
- factoriesIndustrial production facilities
- power plantsFacilities producing electricity
- smokestacksTall industrial exhaust pipes
- refineriesFacilities that purify raw materials
exhaust · combustion · fossil fuels · incinerators · industrial emissions · traffic · coal burning · diesel engines
Murky atmospheric suspension
- photochemical smogSunlight-activated air pollution
- brown cloudUrban atmospheric pollution mass
- temperature inversionWarm layer over cold
- London fogSmog or milky tea
pea soup fog · air quality index · smog alert · eye irritation · summer smog
carbon monoxide
Toxic combustion byproduct gas
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- nitrogen oxidesCombustion byproducts harming air quality
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
ozone · benzene · formaldehyde · methane · dioxins · chlorofluorocarbons · hydrochlorofluorocarbons · hydrogen sulfide · toluene · xylene
dust
Fine settled particles
pollen · particulate matter · PM2.5 · aerosols · fine particles · fly ash · road dust · construction dust · brake dust · wood smoke
lead
Dense metal, symbol Pb
chromium · nickel · beryllium · manganese · zinc · copper · antimony · cobalt · selenium · vanadium
radon
Radioactive inert gas
- asbestosFibrous fireproofing mineral
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- tobacco smokeCombusted leaf vapor
mold spores · carbon monoxide · cooking fumes · off-gassing · building materials · paint fumes · air fresheners · dust mites · pet dander · insulation
vehicles
Machines for transportation
- factoriesIndustrial production facilities
- power plantsFacilities producing electricity
- smokestacksTall industrial exhaust pipes
refineries · exhaust · combustion · fossil fuels · incinerators · industrial emissions · traffic · coal burning · diesel engines · cement plants
haze
Murky atmospheric suspension
- photochemical smogSunlight-activated air pollution
- brown cloudUrban atmospheric pollution mass
- temperature inversionWarm layer over cold
London fog · pea soup fog · air quality index · smog alert · eye irritation · summer smog
- air pollutionsmog, emissions, pollutants, soot, carbon monoxide
- Air Pollutantssmoke, smog, soot, exhaust, fumes
- irritantstear gas, pepper spray, CS gas, mace, bear spray
- endocrine disruptorsBPA, phthalates, parabens, PCBs, dioxins
- gasesgas, air, oxygen, helium, nitrogen
- Plant Toxinsricin, oleander, foxglove, deadly nightshade, nightshade
air pollutantsclean air
Uncontaminated breathable gas
fresh air · pure oxygen · unpolluted air · pure air · air purifiers
air pollutantscarbon sinks
Systems absorbing atmospheric CO2
forests · oxygen · air scrubbers · emission controls · catalytic converters
airs, pollution, pollute, airing, polluted, airless, pollutions, pollutant, polluting