Air Pollution

How Do We Cause Air Pollution?

We cause air pollution directly through our use of electricity, fuels, and transportation.

We also cause air pollution indirectly, when we buy goods and services that use energy in their production and delivery. Most of this air pollution we cause results from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline to produce electricity and power our vehicles.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a good indicator of how much fossil fuel is burned and how much of other pollutants are emitted as a result.

Ozone (O3)	Secondary pollutant formed by chemical reaction of VOCs and NOx in the presence of sunlight.	Breathing problems, reduced lung function, asthma, irritates eyes, stuffy nose, reduces resistance to colds and infections, premature aging of lung tissue.	Damages crops, forests, and other vegetation; damages rubber, fabric, and other materials; smog reduces visibility.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)	Burning of gasoline, natural gas, coal, oil. (Cars are a major source of NOx.)	Lung damage, respiratory illnesses, ozone (smog) effects.	Ozone (smog) effects; precursor of acid rain which damages trees, lakes, and soil; aerosols can reduce visibility. Acid rain also causes buildings, statues, and monuments to deteriorate.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)	Burning of gasoline, natural gas, coal, oil.	Reduces ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)	Fuel combustion, solvents, paint. (Cars are a major source of VOCs.)	Ozone (smog) effects, cancer, and other serious health problems.	Ozone (smog) effects, vegetation damage.
Particulate Matter	Emitted as particles or formed through chemical reactions; burning of wood, diesel, and other fuels; industrial processes; agriculture (plowing, field burning); unpaved roads.	Eye, nose, and throat irritation; lung damage; bronchitis; cancer; early death.	Source of haze which reduces visibility. Ashes, smoke, soot, and dust can dirty and discolor structures and property, including clothes and furniture.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)	Burning of coal and oil, especially high-sulfur coal; industrial processes (paper manufacturing, metal smelting).	Respiratory illness, breathing problems, may cause permanent damage to lungs.	Precursor of acid rain, which can damage trees, lakes, and soil; aerosols can reduce visibility. Acid rain also causes buildings, statues, and monuments to deteriorate.
Lead	Combustion of fossil fuels and leaded gasoline; paint; smelters (metal refineries); battery manufacturing.	Brain and nervous system damage (esp. children), digestive and other problems. Some lead-containing chemicals cause cancer in animals.	Harm to wildlife and livestock.
Mercury	Fossil fuel combustion, waste disposal, industrial processes (incineration, smelting, chlor-alkali plants), mining.	Liver, kidney, and brain damage; neurological and developmental damage.	Accumulates in food chain.

Health Effects of the Pollution We Cause

Exposure to emissions of lead, mercury, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and ozone-forming nitrogen dioxides are hazardous to public health. Toxic compounds, like mercury and lead, poison organ systems and can lead to brain damage and death. In parts of the country where lakes and waterways have been contaminated with mercury from electric power plants, fish are no longer safe to eat because they, too, are contaminated with heavy metal pollutants. Other pollutants, like ozone and particulate matter, cause respiratory and other health problems, particularly in children and the elderly.

Environmental Effects

Climate change on a global scale has been attributed to increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas. A global average temperature rise of only 1C could have serious implications. Possible consequences include melting of polar ice caps; an increase in sea level; and increases in precipitation and severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, floods, and droughts. Indirect effects include increases in infectious disease, weather-related deaths, and food and water shortages. All these effects put a stress on ecosystems and agriculture, and threaten our planet as a whole.

Other atmospheric effects of air pollution include urban smog and reduced visibility, associated with ozone-forming nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compound emissions. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with water in the atmosphere to cause acid rain, which is detrimental to forests and other vegetation, soil, lakes, and aquatic life. Acid rain also causes monuments and buildings to deteriorate.

Green resources are a good source of jobs and income because they rely on local labor, land, and resources. Rural communities would probably benefit the most from renewable energy development, as wind and biomass energy production is likely to take place in rural areas."

What You Can Do

There are many actions people of all ages can take to reduce their emisisons. To learn more, read the checklist of things you can do in your home and in your school in the Cleaner and Greener Program's "Guide to Air Pollution and the Emissions We Cause." If we all work together, we can make the world a cleaner and greener place to live!