Air pollution effects

ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Air pollution has a major impact on the process of plant evolution by preventing
photosynthesis in many cases, with serious consequences for the purification of
the air we breathe. It also contributes to the formation of acid rain, atmospheric
precipitations in the form of rain, frost, snow or fog, which are released during the
combustion of fossil fuels and transformed by contact with water steam in the
atmosphere.

Acid Rain: Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into
the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, the water droplets
combines with these air pollutants, becomes acidic and then falls on the ground in
the form of acid rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to human, animals and
crops.

Eutrophication: Eutrophication is a condition where high amount of nitrogen

present in some pollutants gets developed on sea’s surface and turns itself into
algae and and adversely affect fish, plants and animal species. The green colored
algae that is present on lakes and ponds is due to presence of this chemical only.

Effect on Wildlife: Just like humans, animals also face some devastating affects
of air pollution. Toxic chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to
move to new place and change their habitat. The toxic pollutants deposit over the
surface of the water and can also affect sea animals.

GLOBAL WARMING

On top of that, air pollution is a major contributor to global warming and climate
change. In fact, the abundance of carbon dioxide in the air is one of the causes of
the greenhouse effect. Normally, the presence of greenhouse gases should be
beneficial for the planet because they absorb the infra-red radiation produced by
the surface of the earth. But the excessive concentration of these gases in the
atmosphere is the cause of the recent climate change.

Global warming is caused primarily by putting too much carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere when coal, oil, and natural gas are burned to generate electricity or to
run our cars. Ozone depletion occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and
halons—gases formerly found in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants—are
released into the atmosphere

ON HUMAN HEALTH

Our continual exposure to air pollutants is responsible for the deterioration of

human health.
High air pollution levels can cause immediate health problems including:

 Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness

 Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the
body with oxygen
 Damaged cells in the respiratory system

Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects such as:

 Accelerated aging of the lungs

 Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function
 Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and
possibly cancer
 Shortened life span

Air pollution is indeed a significant risk factor for human health conditions, causing
allergies, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as lung damage.

Air pollution causes

Air pollution is caused by the presence in the atmosphere of toxic substances,
mainly produced by human activities, even though sometimes it can result from
natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, dust storms and wildfires, also
depleting the air quality.

Natural Causes

 Volcanic activities – volcanic eruptions emit a series of toxic gases

(including sulfur and chlorine) as well as particulate matter (ash particles)
but are usually restricted to localized areas;
 Winds and air currents – can mobilize pollutants from the ground and
transport them over large areas;
 Wildfires – add carbon monoxide, as well as particulate matter, to the
atmosphere (containing organic contaminants such as PAHs); could affect
significant areas, although in general they are restricted and may be
contained;
 Microbial decaying processes – microorganisms which are present in any
environment have a major role in natural decaying processes of living
organisms as well as environmental contaminants; this activity results in
the natural release of gases especially methane gas;
 Radioactive decay processes – for example, radon gas is emitted due to
natural decay processes of Earth’s crust which has potential to accumulate
in enclosed spaces such as basements;
 Increasing temperatures – contribute to an increase in the amounts of
contaminants volatilizing from polluted soil and water into the air.

Anthropogenic Causes

 Mining and smelting – emit into the air a variety of metals adsorbed on
particulate matter that is suspended in the air due to crushing & processing
of mineralogical deposits;
 Various industrial processes may emit both organic and inorganic
contaminants through accidental spills and leaks of stored chemicals or the
handling and storage of chemicals – especially of volatile inorganic
chemicals
 Transportation – emits a series of air pollutants (gases – including carbon
monoxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides - and particulate matter)
through the tailpipe gases due to internal combustion of various fuels
 Construction and Demolition activities – pollute the air with
various construction materials. Of special threat is the demolition of old
buildings which may contain a series of banned chemicals such as PCBs,
PBDEs, asbestos.
 Coal Power Plants – when burning coal this may emit a series of gases as
well as particulate matter with metals (such as As, Pb, Hg) and organic
compounds (especially PAHs);
 Heating of buildings – emits a series of gases and particulate matters due
to burning fossil fuels;
 Waste Incineration – depending on waste composition, various toxic
gases, and particulate matter is emitted into the atmosphere;
 Landfill disposal practices – usually generate methane due to the
intensification of natural microbial decaying activity in the disposal area;
 Agriculture – pollute the air usually through emissions of ammonia gas
and the application of pesticides/herbicides/insecticides which contain toxic
volatile organic compounds;
 Smoking – emits a series of toxic chemicals including a series of organic
and inorganic chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic;
 Storage and use of household products such as paint, sprays, varnish,
etc that contains organic solvents which volatilize in the air (hence the
smell we all feel while using them);
 Dry cleaned clothes - may retain and emit in the atmosphere small
amounts of chlorinated solvents (such as PCE) or petroleum solvents that
have been used by the dry cleaners; this could eventually create a health
risk if the clothes returned from the dry cleaners are stored in enclosed
indoor spaces.