• Air pollution can lead to harmful environmental and health effects.air pollution image by loooki from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal, state and local governments are currently attempting to reduce the levels of 188 pollutants currently in the environment. These toxins often come from human-made sources like cars, factories and cleaning solvents. It is documented that these toxins can cause both environmental and health problems.
  
  

Acid Rain

• Acid rain is a major environmental consequence of air pollution. When sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels, they come back down to the ground as rain, snow, fog and gas. This acid rain can be carried hundreds of miles and it can damage soil, bodies of water, trees and wildlife. Some plants and animals do not function well in an acidic environment. An acidic environment can also damage statues, sculptures and buildings.
  
  

Ozone Depletion

• Ozone is a gas that can be found in the Earth’s upper atmosphere (the stratosphere) and at the ground-level. Ozone acts as a protective layer from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. As air pollution is released into atmosphere in the form of hyrochlorofluorocarbons, halons and chlorofluorocarbons, this ozone is broken down. As more ultraviolet radiation comes through, sensitive crops like soybeans can be damaged and the overall yield of crops can be reduced. Less ozone may also mean that there are more cases of cataracts, skin cancer and impaired immune systems due to less protection from the sun.
  
  

Short-Term Effects

• When a human is exposed to air pollution there are several short-term effects that may occur. This can include irritation to the throat, eyes and nose. Infections can occur in the upper-respiratory area like bronchitis and pneumonia. Air pollution may aggravate conditions of those with emphysema and asthma. Allergic reactions, nausea and headaches are also possible as a result.
  
  

Long-Term Effects

• There are many different potential long-term health effects of air pollution on the human body. Toxic air pollutants can increase an individual’s chance of getting cancer. Health effects like heart disease, reproductive problems, chronic respiratory disease and damage to organs like the liver, nerves, kidneys and brain can occur. These effects are especially pronounced in growing children who are exposed to pollution throughout their development. The elderly may also have an increased susceptibility to medical conditions as a result of pollution.