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List of Six Common Pollutants

Pollutants can have detrimental effects on people's health, the local environment and even property, according to the Maryland State Department of the Environment. According to Environmental Health Watch, the levels of pollutants are constantly monitored to provide data on when levels are high enough to pose hazards to sensitive groups within populations or the general population itself.

  1. Carbon Monoxide

    • Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas. The primary source of carbon monoxide is from car exhausts, with the highest levels generally occurring in areas of traffic congestion, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Carbon monoxide pollution can lead to health problems such as respiratory issues and even death.

    Nitrogen Dioxide

    • Nitrogen dioxide emissions have been attributed with harmful effects on the human respiratory system, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The main sources of nitrogen dioxide arise from motor vehicle and power plant emissions.

    Sulphur Dioxide

    • Sulphur dioxide is produced from the burning of fossil fuels. One of the main issues with sulphur dioxide arises when it combines with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acid rain. Acid rain has many adverse ecological effects, particularly on aquatic environments, where it can lead to the death of various species of fish, according to National Geographic.

    Ozone

    • Ozone is composed of three oxygen atoms and can occur at ground level from reactions between nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ozone can occur high up in the atmosphere, however when it forms at ground level it can cause a variety of health problems, such as coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties, according to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution District.

    Particulate Matter

    • Particulate matter is composed of small particles and liquid droplets of substances such as nitric and sulphuric acids, organic chemicals, dust and metals. These particles can be inhaled into the lungs with the potential to cause serious health problems. The sources of particulate matter can vary from natural, such as pollen and forest fire smoke, to human, such as cars, construction sites and power plant emissions, as indicated by the Minnesota Department of Health.

    Lead

    • The main source of lead pollution used to be from car emissions; however the reduced levels of lead in gasoline have caused levels of lead pollution to decline, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The main sources of modern-day lead pollution is lead smelters and waste incinerators. Lead can be absorbed by the body, eventually building up in the bones and subsequently having life-threatening effects.

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