1.

The air around us is a mixture of gases, mainly nitrogen and oxygen, but containing much
smaller amounts of water vapor, argon, and carbon dioxide, and very small amounts of other
gases. Air also contains suspended dust, spores, and bacteria. Because of the action of wind,
the percent composition of air varies only slightly with altitude and location. The table
indicates the composition of a typical sample of air after all water vapor and suspended
particles have been removed. The amount of water in the air varies tremendously with
location, temperature, and time. In deserts and at low temperatures, the content of water
vapor can be less than 0.1% by volume. In warm, humid zones, the air may contain over 6%
water vapor. Air is the commercial source for many of the gases it contains. It is separated
into its components by fractional distillation of liquefied air. Before air is liquefied, water
vapor and carbon dioxide are removed, because these substances solidify when cooled and
would clog the pipes of the air liquefaction plant. The dry, CO2-free air is compressed to
about 200 atmospheres. This compression causes the air to become warm, and the heat is
removed by passing the compressed air through radiators. The cooled, compressed air is
then allowed to expand rapidly. The rapid expansion causes the air to become cold, so cold
that some of it condenses. By the alternate compressing and expanding of air, most of it can
be liquefied. Composition of Dry Air Substance % by volume Nitrogen, N2 78.08 Oxygen, O2
20.95 Argon, Ar 0.93 Carbon dioxide, CO2 0.033 Neon, Ne 0.0018 Helium, He 0.00052
Methane, CH4 0.0002 Krypton, Kr 0.00011 Dinitrogen oxide, N2O 0.00005 Hydrogen, H2
0.00005 Xenon, Xe 0.0000087 Ozone, O3 0.000001
2. An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and
the ecosystem. The substance can be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. A
pollutant can be of natural origin or man-made. Pollutants are classified as primary or
secondary. Primary pollutants are usually produced from a process, such as ash from a
volcanic eruption. Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle
exhaust, or the sulfur dioxide released from factories. Secondary pollutants are not
emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or
interact. Ground level ozone is a prominent example of a secondary pollutant. Some
pollutants may be both primary and secondary: they are both emitted directly and formed
from other primary pollutants.

Before flue-gas desulfurization was installed, the emissions from this power plant in New Mexico contained
excessive amounts of sulfur dioxide.
Schematic drawing, causes and effects of air pollution: (1) greenhouse effect, (2) particulate contamination,
(3) increased UV radiation, (4) acid rain, (5) increased ground level ozone concentration, (6) increased
levels of nitrogen oxides.

Thermal oxidizers are air pollution abatement options for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), and odorous emissions.

Substances emitted into the atmosphere by human activity include:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) - Because of its role as a greenhouse gas it has been described as
"the leading pollutant"[5] and "the worst climate pollution".[6] Carbon dioxide is a natural
component of the atmosphere, essential for plant life and given off by the
human respiratory system.[7] This question of terminology has practical effects, for
example as determining whether the U.S. Clean Air Act is deemed to regulate
CO2 emissions.[8] CO2 currently forms about 405 parts per million (ppm) of earth's
atmosphere, compared to about 280 ppm in pre-industrial times,[9] and billions of metric
tons of CO2 are emitted annually by burning of fossil fuels.[10] CO2 increase in earth's
atmosphere has been accelerating.[11]

Sulfur oxides (SOx) - particularly sulfur dioxide, a chemical compound with the formula
SO2. SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Coal and
petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, and their combustion generates sulfur
dioxide. Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as NO2,
forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain.[2] This is one of the causes for concern over the
environmental impact of the use of these fuels as power sources.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are expelled from
high temperature combustion, and are also produced during thunderstorms by electric
discharge. They can be seen as a brown hazedome above or a plume downwind of
cities. Nitrogen dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula NO2. It is one of several
nitrogen oxides. One of the most prominent air pollutants, this reddish-brown toxic gas
has a characteristic sharp, biting odor.

Carbon monoxide (CO) - CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic yet non-irritating gas. It is a

product of incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular
exhaust is a major source of carbon monoxide.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) - VOCs are a well-known outdoor air pollutant. They
are categorized as either methane (CH4) or non-methane (NMVOCs). Methane is an
extremely efficient greenhouse gas which contributes to enhanced global warming. Other
hydrocarbon VOCs are also significant greenhouse gases because of their role in
creating ozone and prolonging the life of methane in the atmosphere. This effect varies
depending on local air quality. The aromatic NMVOCs benzene, toluene and xylene are
suspected carcinogens and may lead to leukemia with prolonged exposure. 1,3-
butadiene is another dangerous compound often associated with industrial use.

Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM), atmospheric particulate

matter, or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas. In
contrast, aerosol refers to combined particles and gas. Some particulates occur naturally,
originating from volcanoes, dust storms, forest and grassland fires, living vegetation, and
sea spray. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants
and various industrial processes also generate significant amounts of aerosols. Averaged
worldwide, anthropogenic aerosolsthose made by human activitiescurrently account
for approximately 10 percent of our atmosphere. Increased levels of fine particles in the
air are linked to health hazards such as heart disease,[12] altered lung function and lung
cancer.

Persistent free radicals connected to airborne fine particles are linked to cardiopulmonary
disease.[13][14]

Toxic metals, such as lead and mercury, especially their compounds.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - harmful to the ozone layer; emitted from products are
currently banned from use. These are gases which are released from air conditioners,
refrigerators, aerosol sprays, etc. On release into the air, CFCs rise to the stratosphere.
Here they come in contact with other gases and damage the ozone layer. This allows
harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the earth's surface. This can lead to skin cancer, eye
disease and can even cause damage to plants.

Ammonia (NH3) - emitted from agricultural processes. Ammonia is a compound with the
formula NH3. It is normally encountered as a gas with a characteristic pungent odor.
Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by
serving as a precursor to foodstuffs and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or indirectly,
is also a building block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals. Although in wide use,
ammonia is both caustic and hazardous. In the atmosphere, ammonia reacts with oxides
of nitrogen and sulfur to form secondary particles.[15]
Salt (NaCl), sodium chloride, mineral substance of great
importance to human and animal health, as well as to industry. The
mineral form halite, or rock salt, is sometimes called common salt to
distinguish it from a class of chemical compounds called salts.

Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) is the main compound of aluminium and chlorine. It is white,
but samples are often contaminated with iron(III) chloride, giving it a yellow color. The
 solid has a low melting and boiling point. It is mainly produced and consumed in the
production of aluminium metal, but large amounts are also used in other areas of
chemical industry. The compound is often cited as a Lewis acid. It is an example of an
inorganic compound that "cracks" at mild temperature, reversibly changing from
a polymer to a monomer.

Aluminium chloride is manufactured on a large scale by the exothermic reaction

of aluminium metal with chlorine or hydrogen chlorideat temperatures between 650 to 750 C
(1,202 to 1,382 F).[8]
2 Al + 3 Cl2 2 AlCl3
2 Al + 6 HCl 2 AlCl3 + 3 H2

De-icing and freezing point depression[edit]

Bulk of CaCl2 for de-icing in Japan.

By depressing the freezing point of water, calcium chloride is used to prevent ice formation and is
used to de-ice. This application consumes the greatest amount of calcium chloride. Calcium
chloride is relatively harmless to plants and soil. As a de-icing agent, it is more effective at lower
temperatures than sodium chloride. When distributed for this use, it usually takes the form of
small, white spheres a few millimeters in diameter, called prills. Solutions of calcium chloride can
prevent freezing at temperature as low as 52 C (62 F), making it ideal for filling agricultural
implement tires as a liquid ballast, aiding traction in cold climates.[10]
It is also used in domestic and industrial chemical air dehumidifiers.[11]