Secondary pollutants are a source of concern because they can be formed from a wide variety of compounds. Molecular oxygen, water, as well as hydrocarbons are among the molecules in the air that are affected by the connections of primary pollutants with some other molecules in the atmosphere. When these particles combine, they establish yellow cloud cover that are hazardous to human health. Various secondary pollutants, such as ozone, peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs), and nitric acid, contribute to the formation of photochemical smog. This group of substances essentially “cooks up” in the atmosphere and is normally found downstream of primary emissions due to the amount of time it takes for them to be produced. When primary pollutants are unable to dissipate through the atmosphere because of reversal layers inside the atmosphere, smog forms over the area in which they were generated. Polluted air is especially prevalent in urban centers with heat, high – density atmospheres because of this. Secondarily polluting substances are extremely sensitive to climatic variations.
Secondary Pollutants
Those pollutants that are in the atmosphere are known as secondary pollutants. It is not the source of these secondary pollutants that they originate. In the atmosphere, it results in the formation of the pollutants emitted by the sources reacting with molecules in the air.
Due to the fact that secondary pollutants can be formed from a wide variety of compounds, they are a major source of concern. The mixture of these causes yellow clouds, which are extremely hazardous to human health.They release carbon monoxide, which also is one of the most significant contributors to air pollution (in terms of weight) in the atmosphere. However, secondary pollutants could be more hazardous as well as serious to people’s health than primary pollutants, despite the horrifying statistics. Smog is a type of secondary pollutant that can be found in the atmosphere.
Secondary Pollutants Examples
Some examples of secondary pollutant involved ozone, that’s also developed once hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) merge in the presence of sunlight; NO2, that is created while nitrogen oxides (NOx) integrate with oxygen in the atmosphere; and acid rain, which is founded once sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxides respond with water in the atmosphere.
Secondary Pollutants Harmful:For health and environment
Secondary pollutants are much more hazardous than primary pollutants as this hazardous emissions generated by primary gases such as carbon dioxide monoxide can contribute to air pollution in the environment. Acid rain will be produced as a result of this. This will have an adverse effect on historical monuments.
1.Smog caused by photochemical reactions
It is photochemical smog that is produced when ultraviolet rays through the sun interacts with nitrogen oxides present in the atmosphere. Throughout the world, brown haze is common, and it is most noticeable in the mornings and afternoons, particularly in urban, hot cities.A large majority of individuals are driving their cars to work in the morning, which causes the fog to form. In the atmosphere, nitrogen oxides emitted by automobile engines might very well merge with water to create nitric acid or respond with sun light single oxygen atoms.
2.Ozone at ground level
Secondary pollutant with a high degree of reactivity. When primary pollutants, such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, interact with sun exposure, a substance known as a smog is formed. People’s lungs are irritated by ozone. Both high temperatures and exposure to the sun serve as catalysts in this reaction. Ground-level ozone has been shown to have harmful effects on humans.Breathing difficulties, coughing, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat are all common side effects. Those suffering from asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema who are exposed to ground-level ozone experience worsening of their symptoms, according to the EPA. It also has the additional effect of weakening the human immune response, rising the likelihood of getting a cold or the flu.
3.Acid Deposition
It is a term used to describe the buildup of acid in a body of water or on surfaces.It is possible to produce acid rain once water in the atmosphere merges with nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide (two different types of pollutants), which then falls to the Earth’s surface. Vegetation, lakes, and fish, as well as structures and other structures are all negatively impacted by it. People with poor health, as well as those who are well, are affected by respiratory disorders.
4.Particulate Matter
It is a type of matter that is made up of small particles.Particulate matter contains dangerous substances like arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, nickel, and other heavy metals. PM causes serious adverse effects to human health, particularly when it comes to particles smaller than 10 micrometres in size (micrometres). Such particles are injurious because they have the ability to pass through the lung’s protective barrier as well as resort themselves deep within the lungs. Chronic exposure to such particles increases the risk of having cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as the risk of developing lung cancer, in addition to other health consequences.
5.Peroxyacyl Nitrate
It is a chemical compound that is used to make peroxyacyl nitrate.During the combustion of oxidised volatile organic compounds with nitrogen oxide, ozone is created in the atmosphere. It is one of the constituents of photochemical smog. As a result, PANs can cause health issues such as reduction breathing and itchiness, and they may be connected to emphysema, impaired breathing, and other lung conditions.
Conclusion
The most well-known secondary pollutants are several gases that are produced by photochemical in our lower atmosphere and then released into the environment. Nitrogen oxide gases and hydrocarbons are the process involves the following that contribute to the formation of these gaseous pollutants. In the presence of ultraviolet ( uv ) light on hot days, such chemical compounds engage in photochemical reactions, which result in the formation of secondary pollutants such as ozone in our atmosphere.Whenever primary pollutants produced directly from such a burning react with oxygen in the environment, secondary pollutants are formed as a result. Ammonia, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide are examples of primary pollutants. Ground-level ozone, acid rain, and nutrient enrichment compounds are examples of secondary pollutants.