Fertilizer industries produce various byproducts that can harm the environment, including gases like sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as well as soot and dust particles. These pollutants contribute to air and water pollution, acid rain, and can enter the food chain, impacting plants, animals, and humans.
Specific byproducts and their effects:
Gases:
SO2, CO, H2S, NO, and NO2 are released into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and potentially causing acid rain.
Soot and Dust:
These particles can also pollute the air and have negative health effects. Liquid and Solid Chemicals:
These can contaminate water sources and the soil, impacting aquatic life and plant growth. Acid Rain:
SO2 and other sulfur and nitrogen oxides can react in the atmosphere to form acid rain, which damages buildings, infrastructure, and can contaminate soil and water. Phosphogypsum:
This is a primary waste product of the wet-acid process for producing phosphoric acid, and it can contain naturally occurring radioactive materials, according to the US EPA.