.
Health & Chemistry
Air pollution is made up of a mixture of gases and particles that have
been released into the atmosphere by both man-made and natural
processes.
The sources and chemical behaviour of each separate pollutant are
different, making the task of understanding and controlling air pollution
as a whole very complex.
During wet or windy conditions pollution levels generally remain low,
either blown away and dispersed to harmless levels, or removed from
the air by rain. During certain conditions pollution levels are able to
build up to harmful levels leading to pollution 'episodes'.
Pollution levels in the UK are unlikely to cause any serious health
effects in most people.
The main pollutants of concern are listed in 'Air Quality Objectives',
and are:
Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
Oxides of nitrogen (NOX)
Ozone (O3)
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Benzene
1,3 Butadiene
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Lead (Pb)
Each pollutant has different sources, effects and behaviour, however
generally have visually similar effects on your health. Concentrations
of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter will
usually be highest close to busy roads.
Unusually, due to complex atmospheric chemistry, ozone levels will
generally be highest in rural areas during the summer months. Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals, which
contribute to the formation of ground level ozone.
Air pollution is made up of a mixture of gases and particles that have
been released into the atmosphere by both man-made and natural
processes.
The sources and chemical behaviour of each separate pollutant are
different, making the task of understanding and controlling air pollution
as a whole very complex.
During wet or windy conditions pollution levels generally remain low,
either blown away and dispersed to harmless levels, or removed from
the air by rain. During certain conditions pollution levels are able to
build up to harmful levels leading to pollution 'episodes'.
Pollution levels in the UK are unlikely to cause any serious health
effects in most people.
The main pollutants of concern are listed in 'Air Quality Objectives',
and are:
Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
Oxides of nitrogen (NOX)
Ozone (O3)
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Benzene
1,3 Butadiene
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Lead (Pb)
Each pollutant has different sources, effects and behaviour, however
generally have visually similar effects on your health. Concentrations
of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter will
usually be highest close to busy roads.
Unusually, due to complex atmospheric chemistry, ozone levels will
generally be highest in rural areas during the summer months. Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals, which
contribute to the formation of ground level ozone.
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