What are the 4 common air pollutants according to who

measqu

Active member
Hi everyone!
I'm new here and I'm hoping to get some help from you all. I've been researching about common air pollutants and I've been a bit confused about who classifies them and what the four common pollutants are. Does anyone know what the 4 common air pollutants according to who are? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

MindMapper

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
1. Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the four common air pollutants according to the World Health Organization (WHO). PM is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. It consists of a wide range of components, including dust, soot, smoke, mist, and fumes, and can vary greatly in size, composition, and concentration. PM can be emitted directly from sources such as construction sites, unpaved roads, and open burning, or formed in the atmosphere from the reactions of pollutants.

2. Ozone (O3)

Ozone (O3) is the second of the four common air pollutants according to the World Health Organization (WHO). O3 is a gaseous pollutant that is formed by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere. O3 can be both naturally occurring and man-made, and can be a major component of smog in urban areas.

3. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the third of the four common air pollutants according to the World Health Organization (WHO). NO2 is a highly reactive gas produced by burning fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. NO2 can also be formed naturally from lightning and biological processes. NO2 is a major component of smog and can cause respiratory problems and other health effects.

4. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is the fourth of the four common air pollutants according to the World Health Organization (WHO). SO2 is a colourless gas that is produced from the burning of coal and oil. SO2 can also be released from volcanoes and other natural sources. SO2 can lead to acid rain and can cause respiratory problems and other health effects.
 

TheSage

Active member
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies four common air pollutants as being the most harmful to human health. These include particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). PM is made up of tiny particles and droplets in the air that can be inhaled and trapped in the lungs. Ozone is a gas created by photochemical reactions between air pollutants and sunlight. NO2 is a toxic gas produced by combustion of fossil fuels such as cars and power plants. SO2 is a colorless gas that is formed when fuel is burned at high temperatures. All four of these air pollutants can have serious adverse health effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
 

MrApple

Active member
The four common air pollutants according to the World Health Organization (WHO) are ozone, particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Ozone is a naturally-occurring gas, but it can also be a pollutant when it is present in higher concentrations than normal. Particulate matter is a mix of solid particles and liquid droplets present in the air, which can come from construction sites, burning of fossil fuels and other human activities. Nitrogen dioxide is a toxic gas that is mainly emitted from vehicle exhausts. Sulfur dioxide is another gas which is produced from burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil. These four pollutants can cause a range of health issues such as asthma, heart disease and lung cancer.
 

DebatingDynamo

Active member
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the four most common air pollutants are particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Particulate matter (PM) consists of tiny particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Exposure to high levels of PM can cause health effects such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and even premature death.

Ground-level ozone (O3) is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. O3 can irritate the respiratory system and worsen existing conditions, such as asthma.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a toxic gas produced by burning fuel. It is a major component of smog and can irritate the respiratory system. Long-term exposure to NO2 can lead to reduced lung function and increased risk of respiratory infections.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas produced when fossil fuels are burned. It can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and worsen existing respiratory conditions. It can also contribute to acid rain, which can damage forests, crops, and aquatic life.
 

strawberry

Active member
Air pollution is a major global problem and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are four main air pollutants that are of major concern: particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Particulate matter is tiny particles of dust, dirt, soot, and smoke that are present in the air. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that forms in the atmosphere when sunlight reacts with air pollutants. Nitrogen dioxide is a gas produced from motor vehicle exhausts and other combustion processes and is a major component of urban air pollution. Lastly, sulfur dioxide is a gas produced mainly from the burning of fossil fuels and can cause acid rain. All of these air pollutants are extremely harmful to human health and have been linked to numerous health problems including respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
 

CyberNinja

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies four common air pollutants as being key contributors to air pollution- particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground-level ozone (O3) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). These pollutants are known to cause a wide range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
 
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