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Mercury Causes liver, kidney, and brain damage and Deposits into rivers, lakes, and oceans where it accumulates in
(Hg) neurological and developmental damage. fish, resulting in exposure to humans and wildlife.
atmosphere. Weather plays an important role in the national VOC emissions originate from solvent use
formation of secondarily formed air pollutants, as (other processes) and highway vehicles. Highway
discussed later in the Ozone and Particle Pollution vehicles and non-road mobile sources together
sections. contribute approximately 80 percent of national CO
emissions. Pollutant levels differ across regions of the
EPA tracks direct emissions of air pollutants and
country and within local areas, depending on the size
emissions that contribute to the formation of key
and type of sources present.
pollutants, also known as precursor emissions.
Emissions data are compiled from many different Fossil fuel combustion is the primary source
organizations, including industry and state, tribal, and contributing to CO2 emissions (not shown in Figure2).
local agencies. Some emissions data are based on actual In 2007 (the most recent year for which data are
measurements while others are estimates. available), fossil fuel combustion contributed almost
94 percent of total CO2 emissions (source: http://
Generally, emissions come from large stationary fuel
epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.
combustion sources (such as electric utilities and
html). Major sources of fossil fuel combustion include
industrial boilers), industrial and other processes
electricity generation, transportation (including
(such as metal smelters, petroleum refineries, cement
personal and heavy-duty vehicles), industrial processes,
kilns, manufacturing facilities, and solvent utilization),
residential, and commercial. Electricity generation
and mobile sources including highway vehicles and
contributed approximately 42percent of CO2 emissions
non-road sources (such as recreational and construction
from fossil fuel combustion while transportation
equipment, marine vessels, aircraft, and locomotives).
contributed approximately 33 percent.
Sources emit different combinations of pollutants.
For example, electric utilities release SO2, NOx, and Primary sources of CH4 emissions (not shown) include
particles. livestock, landfills, and natural gas systems (including
wells, processing facilities, and distribution pipelines).
Figure 2 shows the distribution of national total
In 2007, these sources contributed about 64 percent
emissions estimates by source category for specific
of total U.S. CH4 emissions. Other contributing
pollutants in 2008. Electric utilities contribute about
sources include coal mining (10 percent) and manure
70 percent of national SO2 emissions. Agricultural
management (8percent).
operations (other processes) contribute over 80 percent
of national NH3 emissions. Almost 50 percent of the
Figure 2. Distribution of national total emissions estimates by source category for specific pollutants, 2008.