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<br />...... <br />-..I <br />CJ) <br />;-. <br /> <br />Particulate matter may contain chemicals which can cause eye and skin <br />irritation and damage plants, buildings, and cars. The Denver <br />metropolitan, Grand Junction, and Colorado Springs areas are considered <br />nonattainment areas for total suspended particulates. The State is <br />anticipating the establishment of a new particulate standard in the near <br />future. When this standard is established the number of nonattainment <br />areas in Colorado may increase. Control plans for all nonattainment areas <br />will be prepared as required by the Clean Air Act. <br /> <br />C. <br /> <br />Sulfur Dioxide <br /> <br />Sulfur dioxide is a common atmospheric pollutant arising mainly from <br />combustion processes. Solid and liquid fossil fuels generally contain <br />appreciable amounts of sulfur, usually in the form of inorganic sulfides <br />and sulfur containing organic compounds. Combustion of the fuel in power <br />plants forms sulfur dioxide along with smaller amounts of sulfur triOxide. <br /> <br />At concentrations above 3 ppm, S02 gas has a pungent, irritsting odor. <br />Visibility in the atmosphere is reduced by the scatter and absorption of <br />visible radiation by small sulfate particles in the size range from 0.1 to <br />1.0 microns in radius. <br /> <br />The effects of S02 on health are related to irritation of the <br />respiratory system. Such injury may be temporary or permanent. At low <br />concentrations respiratory effects and illness rates may rise for <br />susceptible populations. At higher levels increased mortality may occur. <br />Other effects include corrosion of steel panels and vegetation damage. <br />Sulfur dioxide is converted in the atmosphere to sulfuric acid aerosols <br />and particulate sulfate compounds which are potentially carcinogenic and <br />result in acid deposition. <br /> <br />D. Ozone <br /> <br />Ozone (03) is a highly reactive form of oxygen having a bluish color and <br />pungent odor. It is a major component of photochemically induced smog. <br />Its precursors are nitrogen oxides and hydr9carbons. These are produced <br />by numerous mobile and stationary sources. Ozone affects the respiratory <br />system in humans and has an effect on the growth of plants. High ambient <br />concentrations can aggravate asthma, impair lung functions in bronchitis <br />patients, irritate eyes', cause headaches and dry out mucus producing <br />membranes. <br /> <br />Welfare impacts include damage to ozone sensitive materials (rubber and <br />plastic products) and crop loss in sensitive species. The Denver <br />metropolitan area is considered a nonattainment area for ozone. <br /> <br />E. Nitrogen Oxides <br /> <br />Of the various nitrogen oxides (NOx)' the most important as air <br />pollutants are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (N02). Nitric <br />oxide and a comparatively small amount of N02 are formed under high <br />temperature conditions such as those that accompany the burning of fossil <br />fuels. They are emitted from stationary sources such as furnace stacks, <br />boilers, incinerators and vents from certain chemical processes. Most of <br /> <br />-4- <br />