Author Question: Why is carbon monoxide sometimes called the silent killer? What will be the ideal ... (Read 196 times)

Chloeellawright · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Why is carbon monoxide sometimes called the silent killer?
What will be the ideal response?

Question 2

Provide a brief overview of when and why the Clean Air Act was enacted in the United States. Also, include a discussion of revisions to the Clean Air Act.
What will be the ideal response?

at · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Because carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, it can kill without warning. Heres how: Normally, your cells obtain oxygen through a blood pigment called hemoglobin, which picks up oxygen from the lungs, combines with it, and carries it throughout your body. Unfortunately, human hemoglobin prefers carbon monoxide to oxygen, so if there is too much carbon monoxide in the air you breathe, your brain will soon be starved of oxygen, and headache, fatigue, drowsiness, and even death may result.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Answers may vary, but should include the following:
Air pollution episodes in Los Angeles, New York, and other large American cities led to the establishment of much stronger emission standards for industry and automobiles. The Clean Air Act of 1970 empowered the federal government to set emission standards that each state was required to enforce. The Clean Air Act was revised in 1977 and updated by Congress in 1990 to include even stricter emission requirements for autos and industry. The new version of the Act also includes incentives to encourage companies to lower emissions of those pollutants contributing to the current problem of acid rain. Moreover, amendments to the Act have identified 189 toxic air pollutants for regulation.