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Pollutants are transient in air. The length of time before removal is dependent on the pollutant and the local conditions. They are removed by a number of processes:

  • Particulates (dust, pollen, fumes) fall to the ground or into water and are removed. Alternately thy are washed out of the air by rain.
  • Gases like sulfur dioxide, are washed out of the air by precipitation
  • Reactive materials (methane, VOCs etc) react with oxygen, ozone, water or other materials and are removed. Many organics have published half-life data.
  • Sunlight degrades many pollutants
  • Plants remove carbon dioxide
  • Water spray evaporates and contained materials are removed as particulates
  • Odors dissipate and are removed as active hydrocarbons
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11y ago

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