In this chapter, air pollution refers to the general or community air pollution that affects a general population. Many different particles and gases make up what we commonly refer to as air pollution. This is a colorless, odorless, invisible gas, the product of internal combustion engines. It combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells and displaces oxygen. In small amounts carbon monoxide can cause headaches and fatigue.
Large amounts can be lethal.
This is a general term for a mixture of solid and liquid particles in the air, usually produced by stationary fuel combustion and industrial processes. Particulates include small bits of soot and ashes that emanate from incinerators and smokestacks. They are produced mainly by industrial plants that burn fuel containing sulfur as an impurity. So named because they contain both hydrogen and carbon, these compounds come from the incomplete burning of fuel, mainly gasoline. Although hydrocarbons are not very harmful themselves, they can react with sunlight to form smog, which is irritative.