Uses and Environmental Effects of Specific Compounds 

1.0Introduction

Chemistry is not only about reactions and structures, but also about the impact of compounds on human life and the environment. Certain chemical compounds are widely used in industries, agriculture, and daily life, but they often have significant environmental effects.

Understanding both the uses and the hazards of these compounds is essential for responsible scientific learning. For JEE-level chemistry, this topic connects organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and environmental chemistry.

2.0Uses and Environmental Effects of Specific Compounds

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Uses:

• Employed in the production of metal carbonyls, important in metallurgy.
• Used as a reducing agent in metallurgical processes.
• Involved in the synthesis of fuels and chemicals such as methanol.

Environmental Effects:

• Highly toxic to humans; forms carboxyhemoglobin with blood hemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport.
• Causes headaches, dizziness, and death at high concentrations.
• Contributes to air pollution in urban areas due to vehicle emissions.

Also Read: Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Uses:

• Essential in photosynthesis by plants.
• Used in the production of carbonated beverages.
• Serves as a fire extinguisher gas due to its non-flammable nature.
• Employed in refrigeration as dry ice.

Environmental Effects:

• Major greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming and climate change.
• Increased CO₂ levels lead to melting of polar ice caps and rising sea levels.
• Causes ocean acidification, threatening marine biodiversity.

Also read: Carbon Dioxide

Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)

Uses:

• Utilized as a bleaching agent in the paper and textile industries.
• Acts as a preservative in food and beverages (e.g., in wines).
• Used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid via the Contact Process.

Environmental Effects:

• Causes respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis.
• Major contributor to acid rain, which damages crops, aquatic systems, and monuments.
• Reduces visibility in the atmosphere (formation of smog).

Oxides of Nitrogen (NO and NO₂)

Uses:

• Nitric oxide (NO) is used in pharmaceuticals and as a signaling molecule in the human body.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is an intermediate in the manufacture of nitric acid.

Environmental Effects:

• Both gases contribute to photochemical smog formation.
• Cause acid rain, damaging soil fertility and aquatic life.
• NO₂ is a toxic gas causing lung irritation and breathing difficulties.

Methane (CH₄)

Uses:

• Main component of natural gas, widely used as a clean fuel.
• Important feedstock in the production of ammonia (via Haber process).
• Used in making hydrogen gas and methanol.

Environmental Effects:

• Potent greenhouse gas, with higher warming potential than CO₂.
• Contributes significantly to global warming when released from agriculture (rice paddies, livestock).
• Explosive in confined spaces, posing safety risks.

Ozone (O₃)

Uses:

• Acts as a powerful oxidizing agent in chemical industries.
• Used for water purification by killing microorganisms.
• Employed in sterilizing air and surgical instruments.

Environmental Effects:

• At ground level, ozone contributes to photochemical smog and respiratory problems.
• In the stratosphere, ozone is beneficial, forming the ozone layer that shields Earth from harmful UV radiation.
• Depletion of the ozone layer increases risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and DNA damage.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Uses:

• Used as refrigerants in air conditioners and refrigerators.
• Employed in the manufacture of aerosol propellants and foam plastics.

Environmental Effects:

• Major cause of ozone layer depletion, leading to the formation of the ozone hole.
• Permit excessive UV radiation to reach the Earth, damaging living organisms.
• Long-lived in the atmosphere, making their impact severe and persistent.

DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)

Uses:

• Widely used as an insecticide to control mosquitoes and agricultural pests.
• Helped in reducing diseases like malaria and typhoid historically.

Environmental Effects:

• Non-biodegradable; accumulates in the food chain (biomagnification).
• Causes thinning of eggshells in birds, leading to population decline.
• Harmful to aquatic ecosystems and potentially toxic to humans on prolonged exposure.

Heavy Metals (Lead and Mercury Compounds)

Uses:

• Lead compounds are used in batteries, paints, and pigments.
• Mercury compounds are used in thermometers, fluorescent lamps, and dental amalgams.

Environmental Effects:

• Lead poisoning causes neurological disorders, especially in children.
• Mercury compounds undergo biomagnification in aquatic systems, leading to nervous system damage.
• Both metals are persistent pollutants with long-term toxic effects.

Plastics (Polythene and PVC)

Uses:

• Polythene is used in packaging materials, bottles, and containers.
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is widely used in pipes, cables, flooring, and medical equipment.

Environmental Effects:

• Plastics are non-biodegradable, leading to land and water pollution.
• Cause soil infertility and harm marine organisms when ingested.
• Burning plastics releases toxic gases like dioxins, dangerous for health.

3.0Role of Chemistry 

Chemistry helps in:

• Identifying the toxic effects of harmful compounds.
• Developing eco-friendly alternatives like biodegradable plastics and green fuels.
• Monitoring pollutants through analytical techniques.
• Designing sustainable chemical processes that minimize waste.

Thus, knowledge of chemical compounds not only advances technology but also ensures environmental sustainability.