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Theories on the Causes of Air Pollution

Air pollution occurs when the atmosphere collects dangerous chemicals and particles. Although Earth has self-cleaning ecosystems, man-made air pollution such as factory exhaust has caused noticeable environmental damage. Effects of man-made air pollution include toxic smog and acid rain. Some of the main causes of air pollution include the burning of fossil fuels, pesticides, urban development and natural processes such as volcanic activity and wildfires.

  1. Burning Fossil Fuels

    • People burn fossil fuels when they drive their cars or fly in airplanes. Many power plants are powered by the burning of fossil fuels. In the process, chemicals are released into the atmosphere that can add up to health problems such as asthma and cancer. These chemicals include sulfur, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Coal-fired plants release nitrous oxide, leading to brown clouds and increased asthma cases. Gas wells can also release dangerous chemicals into the air.

    Pesticides

    • Pesticides have been proven to cause dangerous levels of toxic smog in Tulare County, California. After testing air quality during spraying seasons, a pesticide air monitoring device detected unsafe levels of chlorpyrifos five years after it was banned in residential areas but still used in agriculture. Exposure to chlorpyrifos can lead to health problems such as headaches, respiratory issues and even birth defects. Pesticides are "one of the most dangerous health and air quality problems" in California's San Joaquin Valley, according to Teresa DeAnda of Californians for Pesticide Reform.

    Urban Development

    • A study conducted by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Houston found urban development to be a facilitator of air pollution. Strip malls and subdivisions may block breezes that would otherwise clear the area of smog. Pavement absorbs heat in the summertime, which leads to nighttime wind reduction, according to the study. Houston has poor air quality, partly due to petrochemical factories, sprawling suburbs and traffic congestion.

    Natural Processes

    • Natural processes such as volcanoes, heatwaves and wildfires can also contribute to air pollution. Louisville, Kentucky, experienced a warmer spring than usual in 2011, leading to air quality alerts. The Air Pollution Control Board reports that high amounts of ozone are caused by the combination of cloudless skies, calm winds and pollution. Hard winds blowing through Arizona, New Mexico and Utah can result in hazy brown-colored dusty air.

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