Atmospheric pollutants from fuels
The combustion of fossil fuels is a major source of atmospheric pollutants. Most fuels,known as hydrocarbons, contain carbon and hydrogen they may also contain some sulphur (an impurity).
When a fuel is burned carbon forms carbon dioxide, hydrogen forms water vapour, sulphur forms sulphur dioxide and nitrogen forms oxides of nitrogen. With less oxygen during the burning carbon may form carbon monoxide.
Any solid particles / unburnt hydrocarbons released then form particulates in the atmosphere.