What are the primary nuisance components of photochemical smog?

What are the primary nuisance components of photochemical smog?

• A. particulates and sulfur oxides
• B. carbon dioxide and CFCs
• C. ozone and aldehydes
• D. nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide

Answer: (B)

Photochemical smog forms when sunlight drives reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, creating ground-level ozone and other oxidants. The defining nuisance pollutants are ozone, the primary irritant that causes eye and respiratory irritation and gives the smog its distinctive hazy, acrid feel, and aldehydes, which are common secondary products from these reactions and also contribute to odor and health effects. The other options mix pollutants from different smog types or focus on precursors rather than the main nuisance pollutants produced in photochemical smog: particulates and sulfur oxides are linked to traditional industrial smog; carbon dioxide and CFCs are greenhouse-related or ozone-depleting substances, not the main photochemical smog pollutants; nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide are precursors or co-pollutants but not the principal nuisance components themselves. So, ozone and aldehydes best describe the primary nuisance components.

Photochemical smog forms when sunlight drives reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, creating ground-level ozone and other oxidants. The defining nuisance pollutants are ozone, the primary irritant that causes eye and respiratory irritation and gives the smog its distinctive hazy, acrid feel, and aldehydes, which are common secondary products from these reactions and also contribute to odor and health effects. The other options mix pollutants from different smog types or focus on precursors rather than the main nuisance pollutants produced in photochemical smog: particulates and sulfur oxides are linked to traditional industrial smog; carbon dioxide and CFCs are greenhouse-related or ozone-depleting substances, not the main photochemical smog pollutants; nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide are precursors or co-pollutants but not the principal nuisance components themselves. So, ozone and aldehydes best describe the primary nuisance components.