Final answer:
Sulfur dioxides (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) act synergistically in causing lung damage by forming fine particulate matter that can be deeply inhaled, leading to severe respiratory issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The synergistic effect between pollutants that leads to lung damage involves the combination of sulfur dioxides (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These substances can react in the atmosphere to form fine particulate matter (PM), which is known to cause serious respiratory issues when inhaled. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are both highly reactive gases that, apart from their direct harmful effects such as irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract, contribute to the formation of secondary pollutants like sulfate and nitrate particles after reacting with other chemicals in the air.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) have a harmful impact on the respiratory system, as they not only cause irritation but also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. It is this combination of SO2 and NOx that acts synergistically to exacerbate lung damage, particularly when these substances are part of fine particulate matter.