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Five Causes of Air Pollution

Air pollution occurs when contaminating agents are released into the air. There are two types of air pollution, natural and man-made. Natural causes of air pollution cannot be controlled, nor do they happen often. The unnatural pollutants that humans release into the air generate concern because of the health problems they create and the massive damage they inflict on the ozone and environment. The five common causes of air pollution come from daily human activities and natural occurrences; some issues that arise as a result of continuous air pollution are health problems in humans, acid rain, a depleted ozone layer and heavy smog.

  1. Burning Fuel from Power Plants

    • People use power daily and that power is generated from industrial power plants. From flicking the light switches on or off to cooking dinner, the power that is needed to run household appliances and heat and cool homes is polluting the air. Power plants burn fuels such as coal, diesel fuel or oil, which discharge exhaust fumes. These fuels emit clouds of smoke called "black carbon" into the air. The billows of smoke linger for days and can be seen for miles. Poisonous gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are released into the air.

    Modes of Transportation Emissions

    • Cars, trucks, boats, planes, NASA spacecrafts and Navy ships are all examples of transportation vehicles that burn fuel. Every type of motor-powered mode of transportation uses some type of gasoline to power it; when the exhaust system releases smoke, high amounts of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide are released into the air. Carbon monoxide becomes harmful in large amounts and is a significant cause of breathing problems. Nitrogen oxide released into the atmosphere causes acid rain.

    Large Livestock Farms

    • Industrial livestock farms that breed thousands of pigs, chickens or cows create one of the largest sources of air pollution because of the gases that are emitted from the waste. Large animal farms discharge rank odors and release dangerous toxins like ammonia into the air. For example, industrial pig farms contain lagoons, which are large areas that hold pig manure. The manure releases a gas into the air called hydrogen sulfide. This gas can cause brain damage and flu-like signs in humans. The dust from the animal feed for cows and chickens clouds the air and causes breathing problems.

    Spraying Pesticides

    • Pesticides are sprayed in houses, gardens and on farms producing fruits and vegetables to eliminate bugs and fungi. However, when pesticide chemicals become airborne, they can be detrimental to other green life, animals and humans. When people inhale pesticide chemicals they can experience headaches and lung disease.

    Natural Causes

    • Examples of natural causes of air pollution are large forest fires, smoke from volcanic eruptions and pollination. Although these events do not happen often, when they do occur living things develop problems. For example, in the spring pollen creates an allergic reaction in the body, causing people to sneeze and develop asthma-like symptoms; the smoke from forest fires and volcanic eruptions travels through the air and chokes the life out of nearby plant life.

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