criteria air pollutant
Quick Summary
Criteria air pollutants are six major air pollutants designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as indicators of overall air quality. These pollutants are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and lead.123
Primary pollutants are released directly from sources like vehicles and factories, while secondary pollutants form through atmospheric chemical reactions. These criteria pollutants pose risks to both the environment and human health, affecting respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and can contribute to issues like smog and acid rain. Regulations like the Clean Air Act aim to control these pollutants to protect public health and the environment.14523
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