Question

The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for harmful pollutants in ambient air (40 CFR part 50). Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the principal pollutants listed by the NAAQS. For public health protection, the level of \(\mathrm{CO}\) in ambient air set by the NAAQS is 35 parts per million (ppm) by volume for an average time of one hour. Beyond that level, CO is considered harmful to public health and the environment. If the partial pressures of \(\mathrm{CO}\) and air is in the ratio of \(0.01: 0.99\), determine whether the \(\mathrm{CO}\) is at a level greater than \(35 \mathrm{ppm}\) set by the NAAQS.

Short answer

Answer: Yes, the CO concentration in the given mixture is harmful according to the NAAQS limit, as it is 10,000 ppm, which is significantly higher than the limit of 35 ppm.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the given ratio

The ratio of partial pressures of CO and air is given as 0.01:0.99. This means that the partial pressure of CO is 0.01, and the partial pressure of the air is 0.99.

Calculate the total partial pressure of the mixture

We should now calculate the total partial pressure by adding the partial pressures of CO and air. P_total = P_CO + P_air

Calculate the mole fraction of CO

Now, we will find the mole fraction of CO in the mixture by dividing the partial pressure of CO by the total partial pressure. Mole fraction (X_CO) = P_CO/P_total

Convert the mole fraction to parts per million (ppm)

To find the concentration of CO in ppm, multiply the mole fraction by 1,000,000 (since there are 1 million parts per million). CO concentration (ppm) = X_CO * 1,000,000

Compare the CO concentration with the NAAQS limit

Finally, we will compare the calculated CO concentration (in ppm) with the NAAQS limit of 35 ppm to see if the level of CO is harmful or not. Now, let's perform the calculations.