MCQ Detailed View

Jet engines burn aviation fuel to produce thrust, and in this process several gases are released into the atmosphere. One of the most harmful gases found in the exhaust fumes of jet planes is carbon monoxide (CO).

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas. It is produced when carbon-containing fuels, such as aviation kerosene, burn under conditions of incomplete combustion. Incomplete combustion happens when there is not enough oxygen available to completely oxidize carbon into carbon dioxide (CO₂). Instead of CO₂, carbon monoxide is formed.

This gas is extremely dangerous to humans and animals because it interferes with the body’s ability to transport oxygen. Carbon monoxide binds strongly with hemoglobin in red blood cells to form carboxyhemoglobin, which prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen to body tissues. As a result, exposure to high levels of CO can cause suffocation, headaches, dizziness, and even death.

Other gases like fluorocarbons, methane, and acetylene may be present in some industrial emissions, but they are not the main poisonous components of jet exhaust. Methane (CH₄) is a greenhouse gas, fluorocarbons are linked with ozone depletion, and acetylene (C₂H₂) is used as a fuel gas in welding. None of these are the primary poisonous gases in jet plane exhaust.

In addition to carbon monoxide, jet engines also release carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. These emissions contribute to air pollution, climate change, and the formation of smog. However, among the listed options, carbon monoxide is the most direct poisonous gas affecting health.

Understanding the presence of carbon monoxide in jet exhaust is an important topic in environmental chemistry, as it highlights the connection between combustion chemistry, human health, and environmental impact.