Chlorine Pollution

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chlorine is used in inorganic and organic chemical production processes, yet these processes can lead to mercury emissions into the atmosphere. Although this primarily contributes to air pollution, it doesn't just affect the air -- it can also increase the level of dioxins, which can cause organ damage, reproductive problems and cancer.

Methane Gas

• The mercury cell process, a type of chlorine production process, can cause mercury emissions to escape into the atmosphere. According to the journal Nature, chlorine atoms can affect nitrogen oxides and ozone production, reducing the life cycle of methane gas.

Effects on Humans

• Chlorine used in manufacturing releases a byproduct called dioxin, which can disperse on the grass or soil. Animals who eat the grass become contaminated, which humans then butcher and consume. According to the WEN Trust Information Department, humans affected by dioxin can develop cancer, nervous system damage, organ and digestive tract damage and chloracne. It can also affect the reproductive system, causing miscarriage, sterility and birth defects.

Effects on Animals

• Chlorine atoms released into the atmosphere can cause acid rain, a type of precipitation containing high levels of acidic substances. This can affect the reproductive systems of fish and birds. Acid rain can also cause skeletal deformities, poor growth and death. In aquatic regions, populations of fish can decrease, affecting the region's biodiversity. It can also decrease the size and weight of fish.

Ozone Depletion

• When exposed to the atmosphere, chlorine atoms can deplete the ozone. This reduces the ozone's ability to block ultraviolet rays, which can contribute to skin cancer in humans. It can also contribute to the greenhouse effect. This increases atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, making the earth's air warmer. If the effect continues, it can lead to animal and plant death, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Research.

Environmental Damage

• The acid rain caused by chlorine atoms can also affect the environment. In trees, this rain damages the leaves and makes the soil toxic. The toxic substances are then absorbed by the trees, which can cause tree damage or death. This rain also disperses directly on aquatic areas such as lakes or streams, where it increases the water's acidity and levels of toxic substances, such as aluminum. It can also flow into aquatic areas through the soil. This makes it harder for aquatic life to survive, as these toxic substances can damage or kill them.