Science Common Sense

656 - How does the burning of petroleum contribute to air pollution?

When petroleum (like gasoline and diesel) is burned in vehicles or factories, it releases bad stuff into the air, including:

  1. Carbon monoxide (makes it hard to breathe)
  2. Nitrogen oxides (causes smog and makes breathing hard)
  3. Sulfur dioxide (contributes to acid rain and breathing problems)
  4. Tiny particles (called particulate matter, which can make lungs sick)

These pollutants can make it harder to breathe, increase coughing and wheezing, and even make us sick. They also contribute to climate change.

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