Air pollution:

Air pollution is responsible for major health effects. Every year, the health of countless
people is ruined or endangered by air pollution.
Many different chemicals in the air affect the human body in negative ways. Just how sick
people will get depends on what chemicals they are exposed to, in what concentrations, and
for how long. Studies have estimated that the number of people killed annually in the US
alone could be over 50,000.
Older people are highly vulnerable to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or
lung disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk.
Because people are exposed to so many potentially dangerous pollutants, it is often hard to
know exactly which pollutants are responsible for causing sickness. Also, because a mixture
of different pollutants can intensify sickness, it is often difficult to isolate those pollutants that
are at fault.
Many diseases could be caused by air pollution without their becoming apparent for a long
time. Diseases such as bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease may all eventually appear in
people exposed to air pollution. Air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur
dioxide also have harmful effects on natural ecosystems. They can kill plants and trees by
destroying their leaves, and can kill animals, especially fish in highly polluted rivers.
Causes of air pollution:
There are many different chemical substances that contribute to air pollution. These
chemicals come from a variety of sources.
Among the many types of air pollutants are nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, and organic
compounds that can evaporate and enter the atmosphere.
Air pollutants have sources that are both natural and human. Now, humans contribute
substantially more to the air pollution problem.
Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic
compounds, and natural radioactivity are all among the natural causes of air pollution.
Usually, natural air pollution does not occur in abundance in particular locations. The
pollution is spread around throughout the world, and as a result, poses little threat to the
health of people and ecosystems.
Though some pollution comes from these natural sources, most pollution is the result of
human activity. The biggest causes are the operation of fossil fuel-burning power plants and
automobiles that combust fuel. Combined, these two sources are responsible for about 90%
of all air pollution in the United States.
Some cities suffer severely because of heavy industrial use of chemicals that cause air
pollution. Places like Mexico City and Sao Paulo have some of the most deadly pollution
levels in the world.

Air quality and health:

Health effects of concern are asthma, bronchitis and similar lung diseases, and there is good
evidence relating an increased risk of symptoms of these diseases with increasing
concentration of sulphur dioxide, ozone and other pollutants.
Moreover, there is increasing evidence to suggest that pollution from particulate matter
(PM10 and black smoke) at levels hitherto considered "safe" is associated with an increased
risk of morbidity and mortality (disease and death) from heart disease as well as lung disease.
This is likely especially in people with other risk factors (such as old age, or pre-existing
heart and lung disease). These concerns are the subject of current research throughout the
world.
Although high occupational exposures to exhaust especially from diesel, and to benzene does
increase the risk of some cancers, reliable direct evidence of an increased to cancer risk to the
population at large from the lower levels to which they are exposed is lacking.
Incineration can also generate hazardous substances if substances not best suited for disposal
by incineration are "disposed" of in this way or if incineration is carried out at too low a
temperature (for example this may generate dioxins).
Products of combustion and other harmful airborne pollutants can also arise within the home.
Thus nitrogen dioxide generated by gas fires or gas cookers can contribute to an increased
respiratory morbidity of those living in the houses. Certain modern building materials may
liberate gases or vapors such as formaldehyde at low concentration but which might provoke
mild respiratory and other symptoms in some occupants. Modern building standards for
asbestos in buildings are such that the resulting airborne fiber concentrations are so small as
not to present any risk at all of asbestosis. However some estimates suggest that perhaps one
extra death per year might result in the UK from asbestos related cancer as a result of nonoccupational exposure in buildings. The image shows an asbestos body i.e. an asbestos fibre
which has been coated by ferruginous protein during its residence within the human lung.

Large scale
industrial releases with
serious acute effects are fortunately rare but you might recollect some events such as in
Bhopal (India). Various smaller scale events occur such as leaks from road tankers, or fires in
warehouses and factories. Special local environmental exposures can arise for example in
communities exposed to drifting pesticide sprays containing say, organophosphates. Some
natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions can present serious risks to health. Fortunately
they are rare but can be catastrophic. According to a servey following are some statistics
about the air quality and health
In developing countries 0.5 1.0 million people die as a result of exposure to urban air
pollution
30 40 % of asthma
20 30 % all respiratory diseases

 Average compound growth rate of vehicles is 12 % a year (0.8 million -5 million in

two decades)
Rickshaws -> two times, Motor cycles 7 times

Air pollutants:
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen oxides
Ammonia
Carbon monoxide
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Ozone
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Airborne particles
Toxic metals
Radioactive pollutants
General Overview and Characteristics:
Air pollutants are generally defined as substances of gaseous, solid or liquid nature emitted
into the atmosphere by both natural and anthropogenic (human-caused) sources, that are
capable of causing harm to the environment in general, and living organisms in particular.
In other words, these pollutants are the agents that change the normal functioning of the
atmosphere and have an negative impact on all life forms including animals and plants.
General Characteristics:
Possibly one of most important characteristics of these pollutants is their trans boundary
nature. They know no borders and they can travel long distances from their source of origin
to the places that are not related to them in any shape or form.
An excellent example of that is the Arctic Haze, a visible reddish brown haze found above the
Arctic mainly in winter months and caused by pollutants in the air travelling from global
sources thousands of miles away, specifically from Asia.
This contributes to warming the Arctic faster than any other region in the world, causing the
sea ice to melt and destabilizing the environment.
Pollutants in the air can also be of primary or secondary nature.
Primary air pollutants are the ones that are emitted directly into the atmosphere by the
sources (such as power-generating plants).
Secondary air pollutants are the ones that are formed as a result of reactions between primary
pollutants and other elements in the atmosphere, such as ozone.
Transformation and Deposition
Once in the air, primary pollutants may undergo chemical reactions with other elements and
become part of different compounds, and thus transforming into secondary pollutants.
There are two ways for primary and secondary pollutants to be removed from the atmosphere
(this process is called deposition).
The first one is wet deposition. It works as follows. Pollutants make way into clouds or other
precipitation and then get deposited on to the surface of the Earth by way of rain (specifically,
acid rain).
The second one is dry deposition, during which pollutants are deposited directly on to the
surface of the Earth and vegetation, such as plants and trees of tropical rainforests.
Important Pollutants
Among the most important pollutants are sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxide (NO), ozone,
volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. It is a dangerous air
pollutant because it is corrosive to organic materials and it irritates the eyes, nose and lungs.
Anthropogenic Sources of Sulfur Dioxide Emissions
Sulfur is contained within all fossil fuels, and is released in the form of sulfur dioxide (SO2)
during fossil fuel combustion. Fossil fuel combustion accounts for almost all anthropogenic
(human-caused) sulfur emissions. Sulfur contents in fossil fuels range between 0.1% and 4%
in oil, oil by-products and coal, and up to 40% in natural gas (when immediately extracted
from the well; however, the sulfur is efficiently removed during the processing of gas before
distribution therefore,
combustion of natural gas is not a major
source of sulfur
emissions).

Say No To Coal Photo: SayYesToCleanEnergy.org

Historically, the use of coal in domestic heating was a major source of sulfur dioxide
emissions (at least in the UK), but it has declined substantially over time. Over the last
several decades the industrial use of coal in the UK has also declined, whereas the use of oil
and natural gas has gradually increased. In the UK, the sulfur dioxide emissions declined
significantly since 1970, thanks to the introduction of low sulfur fuels, the switch from coal
to gas and increased energy efficiency. This trend is possibly true for other industrialized
countries as well, though the US as the most important economy in the world is still a large
consumer of energy derived from coal.
Below is a breakdown of all the significant sources of sulfur dioxide emissions (based on
sources of the UK emissions) energy production
Electric power generation
Petroleum refining
Other combustion
Commercial and residential use
Combustion for industry use
Production processes
Extraction and distribution of fossil fuels
Transport
Road transport
Other Transport (such as aviation, ships, trains).
Currently, the most important sources of sulfur dioxide emissions (as a result of fossil fuel
combustion) are electric power generating plants.
For example, as of 1998, 66% of all sulfur dioxide emissions in the UK came from power
plants. In contrast, transport contributions of sulfur dioxide emissions are among the smallest
ones. The biggest sulfur dioxide emitters: US, China and Russia.

In fact, you may be surprised to learn that just one Siberian city in Russia Norilsk
produces 1% of the total global emissions of sulfur dioxide. In 2007, Norilsk was considered
to be one of the most polluted places on Earth.
Natural Sources of Sulfur Dioxide Emissions:
There are also significant sulfur emissions generated by natural sources.
The main natural sulfur emissions come in the reduced forms of sulfur compounds such as
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
Carbon disulfide (CS2)
Carbonyl sulfide (COS)
And in the organic forms of:
Methyl mercaptan (CH3SH)
Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) (CH3SCH3)
Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) (CH3SSCH3)
Most of these compounds get oxidized to sulfur dioxide or to sulfate aerosols in the
atmosphere. Marine phytoplankton produce dimethyl sulfide (DMS) which is then oxidized
to SO2 in the atmosphere; decay processes in soil and vegetation produce H2S (as one of
sulfur compounds); and SO2 is emitted into the atmosphere by volcanoes. Around 90% of all
natural sulfur emissions come in the form of DMS. Most recently the natural sources have
been by far surpassed by anthropogenic sources. Natural sources have been estimated to
produce around 24% of all sulfur dioxide emissions, whereas human-caused emissions made
up around 76%.
Effects of Sulfur Dioxide Emissions
Sulfur dioxide found in the air produces following effects (20, 21):
Irritates eyes, nose, throat
Damages lungs when inhaled
As part of acid rain:
Acidifies lakes and streams
Destroys plant and fish life in lakes and streams
May deplete mineral nutrients in the soil
May cause reduction of forest and agricultural yields
Corrodes metals
Damages surfaces of buildings
Nitrogen Oxides
Author Andrew Farmer points out that oxides of nitrogen are produced by combustion of all
fossil fuels including coal- and gas-fired power stations and motor vehicles. Whereas fuel
itself can produce some nitrogen (for example, oil and coal contain around 0.5 1.5% of
nitrogen, and natural gas contains less than that), most of nitrogen oxides' production comes
from the reaction of atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen within the combustion chamber.
The two main nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide (NO), or nitrogen monoxide, and nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) the sum of which is equal to NOx. Nitric oxide (NO) is a colorless gas.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas of reddish-brown color with a distinct sharp, biting odor.
Combustion of fuels always produces both NO2 and NO. But almost 90% of the NOX
combustion product is in the form of NO which is then oxidized to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in
the air. Therefore, only a small percentage of NO2 found in the atmosphere is directly emitted
there in this form. The rest has been formed as a result of chemical reactions in the
atmosphere itself.
Anthropogenic Sources of Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

Road transport (motor vehicles) is by far the largest contributor of nitrogen emissions (in
contrast, it contributes a very small proportion to sulfur dioxide emissions, as discussed
above).

Bus Pollution in Guatemala

For example, based on 1998 UK figures, road transport contributed nearly half of all nitrogen
emissions, followed by contributions from electric power generating plants which only
contributed around 20% of total nitrogen emissions.
Below is a breakdown of the significant sources of emissions of nitrogen oxides (based on
sources of the UK emissions)
Road transport
Other Transport
Energy Production
Electric power generation
Petroleum refining
Other combustion
Combustion for industry use
Production processes
Extraction and distribution of fossil fuels.
Natural Sources of Nitrogen Oxide Emissions
Nitric oxide (NO) is also emitted by soils but there is very little data available for the proper
assessment of this area. Some estimates suggest that the soil production of NO in the UK may
be around 2 5% of its production from fossil fuel combustion.
Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Emissions
When inhaled, nitrogen dioxide becomes a serious air pollutant which may
Cause pulmonary edema (accumulation of excessive fluid in the lungs)
Be part of acid rain (destroying fish and plant life in lakes, damaging surfaces of
buildings etc).
Contribute to photochemical smog.
Ammonia:
Ammonia is a colorless, pungent, hazardous caustic gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen.
Ammonia emissions are also grouped as NHy which is a sum of NH3 and NH4.
Sources of Ammonia Emissions
Agriculture is by far the biggest source of ammonia emissions.
Livestock farming and animal waste account for the biggest percentage of total ammonia
emissions which are due to the decomposition of urea from large animal wastes and uric acid
from poultry wastes.
Based on Jeremy Colls table of global ammonia emissions, below is a breakdown of their
major sources:
Livestock contributes more than 50% of all emissions
Fertilizer application
Oceans

 Vegetation
Biomass burning
Effects of Ammonia Emissions
Exposure to very high concentrations of gaseous ammonia in the air may result in lung
damage and even death.
Carbon monoxide (CO):
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is highly toxic to humans.
The combustion of carbon-based fuels produces carbon dioxide (CO2). But not all such
combustion is complete, and this leads to the production of carbon monoxide (CO).
Motor vehicles and industry are among the largest anthropogenic sources of carbon monoxide
emissions.
Effects of Carbon Monoxide Emissions
Carbon monoxide is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries around the
world.
Exposures to carbon monoxide may lead to (40):
Toxicity of the central nervous system and heart
Severe effects on the baby of a pregnant woman
Headaches and dizziness
Problems with getting oxygen supplied to some body parts which may be lifethreatening.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are defined as organic compounds which easily
evaporate and enter the atmosphere. VOCs may include a wide range of organic air
pollutants, from pure hydrocarbons to partially oxidized hydrocarbons to organic compounds
containing chlorine, sulfur, or nitrogen.
Historically, the definition of VOCs did not include methane compounds (non-methane
VOCs: NMVOCs) since the atmospheric concentration of methane was considered to be a
stable natural background. But it was ultimately recognized that methane is also an
anthropogenic air pollutant that comes from intensive animal and rice production.Though
some of these compounds can have direct toxic effects, they have been grouped together
because of their role in ozone formation.
Anthropogenic Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds
The major anthropogenic sources of VOCs include;
Solvent Use (including paints, adhesives, aerosols, metal cleaning and printing)
Road transport (emissions from fuel / petroleum use)
Production processes
Extraction and distribution of fossil fuels
For example, in the UK the biggest emissions of NMVOCs are due to solvent use and road
transport. Jeremy Colls points out those substantial NMVOC emissions occur during the
following processes;
Painting (evaporation of solvents)
Oil production (flaring and venting of gas)
Oil refining (flaring and fugitive emissions)
Distribution of oil or refinery products (evaporation from storage, displacement losses
when venting tanks)
Dry cleaning (final drying of clothes)
Production of alcoholic drinks (breweries and distilleries)
Arable farming (crop growing, silage manufacture, sludge spreading)

Natural Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds

Not a lot is known about the natural emissions of VOCs. But we know that forests are the
primary natural sources of VOC emissions. And tropical forests are estimated to produce
about half of all global natural non-methane VOC emissions.
Plants synthesize many organic molecules and release some VOCs (including a range of
terpenes) into the atmosphere.
In total, around 1000 different compounds (with some of which themselves being families
with thousands of their own members) are known to be emitted by natural sources.
Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs may produce the following effects
Some aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene are potential
carcinogens and may cause leukemia
Contribute to sick building syndrome indoors
As facilitators in ozone formation, VOCs may indirectly contribute to respiratory
problems and other ozone-related problems
Ozone (O3):
Ozone (O3) is a colorless, poisonous gas with a sharp, cold, irritating odor.
Ozone can be found in
the stratosphere, one of the upper layers of the atmosphere, where it occurs naturally,
and the
Troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where it occurs both naturally and
as a result of human-generated emissions.
The natural stratospheric ozone is considered to be of beneficial nature it keeps harmful
excessive ultraviolet sunlight from reaching the surface of the Earth.
Ozone which is formed in the troposphere as a result of anthropogenic emissions of primary
pollutants, has negative effects on humans and the natural environment. And from this point
of view it is an air pollutant.
This human-caused ozone in the troposphere is a secondary pollutant because it is produced
by the reaction of primary pollutants, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons [including VOCs], in
the presence of sunlight
The tropospheric ozone is the main component of the photochemical smog.

Smog in Los Angeles

Photo: Bob Travis
A photochemical smog (of brown-yellow color) is a product of the chemical reaction between
sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs, which results in the formation of ozone and airborne
particles. The process of ozone formation may take several days to complete, and ozone itself
may turn out to be far from the sources of original primary pollutant emissions.
Effects of Ozone as an Air Pollutant
Ozone in the troposphere can have the following negative effects on animals (including
humans) and the natural environment ;

 Irritation of the respiratory system causing coughing, throat irritation and an

uncomfortable sensation in the chest
Susceptibility to respiratory infections
Compromised lung function harming the breathing process which may become more
rapid and more shallow than normal
Inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs
Aggravation of asthma
Reduction in agricultural yields
Interference with photosynthesis and suppression of growth of some plant species
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):
Persistent organic pollutants are compounds which are resistant to degradation and persistent
in the environment, with half lives of years in the soil or sediment and days in the
atmosphere. Such compounds may include dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
and organic chlorine pesticides such as DDT. They enter the food chains via the process of
biomagnifications, get accumulated in human and animal tissue, and are capable of long
range transport through being attached to airborne particles.
Sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants
Some POPs are used as pesticides. Others are used in industrial processes as well as in the
production of goods such as solvents, polyvinyl chloride and medicines.
Effects of Persistent Organic Pollutants
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants takes place through diet (specifically, consumption
of animal fats), environmental exposure or accidents.
POPs may lead to;
Death and illness including disruption of endocrine, reproductive and immune
systems
Neurobehavioral disorders
Cancers
Airborne Particles as Air Pollutants
Airborne particles present one more type of air pollutants. They are tiny fragments of solid or
liquid nature suspended in the air (aerosols).
Particles may be
primary when emitted directly into the atmosphere by sources, or
secondary when particles are formed in the atmosphere through the interaction of primary
emissions.
Solid particles between 1 and 100 m (micrometers) in diameter are called dust particles,
while solid particles less than 1 m in diameter are called fumes, or smoke.
Anthropogenic Sources of Airborne Particles
Anthropogenic particles account for around 10% of the total amount of particles in the
atmosphere. Fossil fuel combustion is one of the main processes which causes vast amounts
of particles to be emitted into the atmosphere.)
The major anthropogenic sources of airborne particles are):
Road transport
Power generating plants
Production processes (such as dust blown away by winds from construction sites)
Natural Sources of Airborne Particles
Main natural sources of particles are;
Erosion of soil by wind which generates dust particles that travel around the globe
Evaporation of droplets of sea water resulting in sea salt crystals being suspended in
the air

 Volcanoes
Forest fires
Living vegetation
Effects of Airborne Particles
Particles less than 10 m in diameter are of biggest concern to human and animal health as
they can be easily inhaled and get trapped in the respiratory system.
Jeremy Colls also notes that particles of this size have very low gravity-related sedimentation
rates and may therefore remain in the atmosphere for days before being washed out by rain or
attached to vegetation or buildings.
Airborne particles may cause;
Asthma
Lung cancer
Cardiovascular problems

Carbon dioxide emissions

Total CO2 emissions

Per capita CO2 emissions

Effects of air pollution:

Effect of air pollution on human
Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
a
pungent,
corrosive
to
irritates
the
therefore it is
pollutant.

(SO2) is a colorless gas with

suffocating odor. SO2 is
organic materials and it
eyes, nose and lungs;
quite a dangerous air

Coal Power Plant, USA

Sulfur is contained within all fossil fuels, and is released in the form of sulfur dioxide during
fossil fuel combustion.
Because of the widespread use of fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide is among the most common air
pollutants produced in every part of the planet.
Sulfur dioxide may often act in synergy with other pollutants (ex., airborne particles) to
produce certain air pollution effects.
Lets summarize some sulfur dioxide pollution effects on human health;
Irritation of eyes, nose, throat; damage to lungs when inhaled
Acute and chronic asthma
Bronchitis and emphysema (as a result of synergy between SO2 and suspended
particulate matter)
Lung
cancer
Nitrogen
Dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) is a gas of
reddish-brown
color with a distinct
sharp,
biting
odor. It is often analyzed
in conjunction
with another nitrogen
gas nitric
oxide (NO). Together
these two gases
are referred to as NOx.

Ho Chi Minh Traffic

Combustion of fossil fuels always produces both NO2 and NO. But almost 90% of the NOX
combustion product is in the form of NO which is then oxidized to NO2 in the air. NOx can
destroy organic matter, ex. human tissue. Exposure to high concentrations of NOx can make
living organisms more susceptible to bacterial infections and lung cancer. Just like other
pollutants, nitrogen dioxide affects people with existing medical conditions more severely
than healthy people.
For example, asthma sufferers may experience enhanced sensitivity after short-term NO2
exposure as compared to those without any asthmatic problems. Another group at higher risk
is children. For instance, children aged 12 and younger who are exposed to NOx suffer more
respiratory illness than the ones who are not exposed.
Depending on different NO2 concentrations in the air, nitrogen dioxide pollution effects may
be as follows:
Increased incidence of respiratory illness
Increased airway resistance (due to inflammation)
Damage to lung tissue
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD (narrowing of the airways)
Emphysema (as part of COPD)
Pulmonary edema (accumulation of excessive fluid in the lungs)
Infant and cardiovascular death
It is
important to note that nitrogen
dioxide is a major component
of the
photochemical smog and thus a
contributor to the formation of
ozone
which is another serious air
pollutant
Carbon
Monoxide
Carbon
monoxide
(CO)
is
an
extremely
toxic gas which affects the
ability of the body to receive oxygen. Hemoglobin which transports oxygen in the blood is
bound by carbon monoxide, which leads to the shortage of oxygen in the body. Carbon
monoxide is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries around the world.
Unlike many other air pollutants, carbon monoxide does not directly affect eyes, nasal
passages or lungs.

Kathmandu Pollution
Exposure to carbon monoxide may lead to ;
Toxicity of the central nervous system and heart
Headaches, dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness
Loss of vision
Decreased muscular coordination
Abdominal pain
Severe effects on the baby of a pregnant woman
Impaired performance on simple psychological tests and arithmetic; loss of judgment
of time
In cases of prolonged exposure to high CO concentrations, unconsciousness,
convulsions and death would occur
Carbon monoxide pollution effects are exacerbated in weaker people, specifically in those
with heart and lung diseases.
Ozone Effects:
Ozone (O3) is a poisonous gas with a sharp and cold odor.
It can be found in the stratosphere where it occurs naturally and plays a beneficial role by
protecting the Earth from ultraviolet sunlight; and in the troposphere where it occurs naturally
and also forms part of the human-caused photochemical smog.
It is of course the tropospheric ozone that we are interested in as an important air pollutant.
The chemical reaction between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
the presence of sunlight results in the photochemical smog; the tropospheric ozone is an end
product of this reaction and a component of the smog itself.

Santiago Smog
Because the photochemical smog requires a lot of sunshine to form, it occurs mostly in sunny
and heavily polluted places, such as Los Angeles, Mexico City and even Athens. Ozones
main victim within the human body is its respiratory system. Once in the lungs, ozone
burns through cell walls. The immune system fails to protect the lungs because ozone pushes
the defensive cells back. As cellular fluid starts seeping into the lungs, breathing becomes
rapid, shallow and painful.
Exposure to ozone over long periods of time leads to a stiffening of the lungs and a reduced
ability to breathe. As an example, a study conducted in California in the 1980s shows that

children living in ozone-polluted areas have smaller than normal lungs and adults lose up to
75% of their lung capacity.
So, exposure to the tropospheric ozone may cause;
Burning nose and watering eyes
Tightening of the chest
Coughing, wheezing and throat irritation
Rapid, shallow, painful breathing
Susceptibility to respiratory infections
Inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs
Aggravation of asthma
Fatigue
Cancer
Ammonia Effects:
Ammonia is a colorless, pungent, hazardous caustic gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen.
Though ammonia is used for different applications in many sectors, agriculture is its largest
consumer and producer. Livestock farming, animal waste and fertilizer application are the
biggest sources of atmospheric ammonia emissions within the agricultural sector. Gaseous
ammonia is a dangerous air pollutant. Breathing in large amounts can cause death.
So, ammonia pollution effects are;
On the respiratory system:

Ammonia Fertilization
Australia, c. 1975

Nose & throat irritation and burns (their severity increasing with the increased
ammonia concentrations)
Swelling of the throat and airways; airways destruction
Pulmonary edema
Chronic lung disease
Cough
Asthma
Lung fibrosis
Inhaling large amounts of ammonia can be fatal
On the skin & eyes :
Skin burns
Skin conditions, ex. dermatitis
Burning sensation in the eyes
Ulceration & perforation of the cornea (can occur months after exposure); blindness
Cataracts & glaucoma
Volatile Organic Compounds:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are defined as organic compounds which easily
evaporate and enter the atmosphere.
VOCs are important pollutants for two reasons.
first, they are precursors
to the formation of ozone
(which is part of the
photochemical smog);
second, they include
compounds which are
carcinogenic and
mutagenic in their own right.
Typical VOCs include
propane, benzene, ethanol,
methanol, ether, carbon
tetrachloride
and
vinyl
chloride;
substances
such as petrol and resins
contain many individual
VOCs, and many others are
produced
during
combustion
processes.
Toxicity of some VOCs
and ensuing health effects are
no doubt issues of
serious concern.
For example, exposure to benzene and 1,3-butadiene is a suspected cause of around 10% of
leukemia incidence in the UK.
Exposure to toluene another dangerous VOC may lead to the dysfunction of the central
nervous system resulting in behavioral problems, memory loss and disturbance of the
circadian rhythm (toluene is also suspected to cause cancer.
Some other VOCs, ex. carbon tetrachloride and PCBs, are believed to produce abnormal
changes in fetus development and consequently lead to birth defects. Carbon tetrachloride
also leads to liver damage.
Vinyl chloride causes Raynaud's phenomenon (spasms in the small arteries that cause the
extremities to become pale and cold, as well as painful), necrosis of the small bones of the
hand, liver damage and a rare, highly malignant tumor of the liver.

Oil is source of VOCs

Benzene pollution effects on human health:
Short-term breathing of low levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart
rate, headaches, tremors, confusion and unconsciousness; exposure to high levels of benzene
may result in death chronic effects:
Damage to the bone marrow
Decrease in red blood cells (anemia)
Excessive bleeding and depression of the immune system increasing the risk of
infection
Leukemia
1,3-Butadiene pollution effects on human health:
Short-term exposure to high levels of 1,3-butadiene may lead to distorted blurred vision,
vertigo, general tiredness, decreased blood pressure, headache, nausea, decreased pulse rate,

and fainting long-term exposure to high levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases
and cancer
Let us summarize some effects of VOCs on human health:

Tiredness, vertigo, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness

Tiredness
Anemia
Bone marrow damage
Liver damage
Dysfunction of the central nervous system:
Behavioral problems
Memory loss
Disturbance of the circadian rhythm
Cardiovascular diseases
Cancer; specifically leukemia
Abnormal changes in fetus development, birth defects
VOCs also contribute to sick building syndrome indoors
As facilitators in ozone formation, VOCs may indirectly contribute to respiratory
problems
There
are a lot of problems caused by air
pollution to humans, plants and other
ecosystems. We need to overcome
these
problems and avoid those actions
which
cause air pollution.