One aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising a single-stage conversion of an atmospheric pollutant, such as NO, NO2 and/or SOx in a first stream to one or more mineral acids and/or salts thereof by reacting with nonionic gas phase chlorine dioxide (ClO20), wherein the reaction is carried out in the gas phase. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising first adjusting the atmospheric pollutant concentrations in a first stream to a molar ratio of about 1:1, and then reacting with an aqueous metal hydroxide solution (MOH). Another aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus that can be used to carry out the methods disclosed herein. The methods disclosed herein are unexpectedly efficient and cost effective, and can be applied to a stream comprising high concentration and large volume of atmospheric pollutants.