19-03-2014, 10:46 AM
AIR POLLUTION
AQI: Air Quality Index
Indicates whether pollutant levels in air may cause health concerns.
Ranges from 0 (least concern) to 500 (greatest concern)
Carbon Monoxide
colorless, odorless
produced when carbon does not burn in fossil fuels
present in car exhaust
deprives body of O2 causing headaches, fatigue, and impaired vision
Nitrogen Dioxide
reddish, brown gas
produced when nitric oxide combines with oxygen in the atmosphere
present in car exhaust and power plants
affects lungs and causes wheezing; increases chance of respiratory infection
Particulate Matter
particles of different sizes and structures that are released into the atmosphere
present in many sources including fossil fuels, dust, smoke, fog, etc.
can build up in respiratory system
aggravates heart and lung disease; increases risk of respiratory infection