. Natural Causes: Earth itself, is one of the biggest polluters through volcanoes, forest fires, and dust storms. They are nature-borne events that dump massive amounts of air pollution into the atmosphere. .
Household activities: Household activities like cooking, heating and lighting, use of various forms of mosquito repellents, pesticides and chemicals for cleaning at home and use of artificial fragrances are some of the sources that contribute to air pollution. Effects of Air Pollution . Respiratory and heart problems : It creates several respiratory and heart ailments along with cancer. Children are highly vulnerable and exposed to air pollutants and commonly suffer from pneumonia and asthma.
. Global warming : Increasing temperature in the atmosphere leads to global warming and thereby to increase sea level rise and melting of polar icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat. . Acid rain : Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels.
Acid rain causes great damage to human beings, animals and crops. . Eutrophication : Eutrophication is a condition where high amount of nitrogen present in some pollutants which adversely affects fish, plants and animal species. .
Effect on Wildlife : Toxic chemical present in the air can force wildlife species to move to new place and change their habitat. . Depletion of Ozone layer : Ozone exists in earth’s atmosphere and is responsible for protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting due to presence of chlorofluorocarbons and hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere.
. Human Health : Outdoor air pollution is a major cause of death and disease globally. The health effects range from increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits, to increased risk of premature death. An estimated .
billion premature deaths globally are linked to ambient air pollution. Every day about % of the world’s children under the age of ( . billion children) breath polluted air that puts their health and development at serious risk – WHO - - Environmental Economics