Non-metals are important because they affect our environment and health in several ways.
Air Quality: Non-metals like sulfur and nitrogen can create harmful pollutants. When they mix with air, they change into substances like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). Unfortunately, about 4.2 million people die each year because of air pollution. A big part of this problem comes from burning coal.
Water Pollution: Non-metals also play a role in acid rain. This happens when substances like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) mix with water vapor in the air. This combination can make rainwater very acidic, with a pH between 4.0 and 4.5, which is much lower than normal rainwater.
Health Effects: Being around non-metal compounds can lead to health problems. For example, in Sweden, more than 300,000 children have asthma symptoms worsened by nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) from cars and trucks.
Knowing how non-metals affect our world can help us support efforts to protect the environment and improve public health.
Non-metals are important because they affect our environment and health in several ways.
Air Quality: Non-metals like sulfur and nitrogen can create harmful pollutants. When they mix with air, they change into substances like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). Unfortunately, about 4.2 million people die each year because of air pollution. A big part of this problem comes from burning coal.
Water Pollution: Non-metals also play a role in acid rain. This happens when substances like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) mix with water vapor in the air. This combination can make rainwater very acidic, with a pH between 4.0 and 4.5, which is much lower than normal rainwater.
Health Effects: Being around non-metal compounds can lead to health problems. For example, in Sweden, more than 300,000 children have asthma symptoms worsened by nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) from cars and trucks.
Knowing how non-metals affect our world can help us support efforts to protect the environment and improve public health.