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The Effects of Air Pollution & Associated Costs

Since the Industrial Revolution, the toll of air pollution and its associated costs have risen. With the development of industry came the rise of toxic emissions that carry extreme environmental risks. All life on the planet is at risk. The primary sources of air pollution are industry and coal-burning power plants. These emissions have far-reaching effects, potentially contaminating not just our air, but also our water resources and land.

  1. Habitat Loss

    • Air pollution affects habitat not just in the immediate vicinity of its source, but also far from its location. Air pollution containing sulfur dioxide combines with moisture in the air to create acid rain. Acid precipitation leads to acidification of lakes and soils. Lakes and acidic cannot support life, resulting in loss of habitat.

    Economic Loss

    • Acid rain and other sources of air pollution bring significant economic losses because of crop damage and other effects. A 2004 study published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences, reports annual economic losses from acid rain of $13.3 billion in China. Europe and North America have reported similar economic losses. Clearly, air pollution is a global problem.

    Coastal Areas

    • Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution from greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide emissions create a barrier that prevents radiation from leaving the ground level and preventing the Earth from cooling at night. The result is a rise in sea levels from melting permafrost and ice caps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that U.S. shorelines are eroding 1 to 4 feet each year. As shorelines erode, coastal wetlands convert to open water. Without the flood protection of wetlands, there is less protection against tropical storms and storm surges in these areas.

    Long-Term Impacts

    • Air pollutants such as atmospheric mercury pose long-term environmental problems. Atmospheric mercury enters the environment through waste incineration and coal-burning power plants. In the environment, mercury is converted to its more lethal form. The danger of mercury from air pollution lies in its ability to accumulate in plant and animal tissue. Animals higher in the food chain are more likely to accumulate lethal amounts of mercury in their tissues, compounding the effects of contamination.

    Human Cost

    • The effects on humans represent the highest costs associated with air pollution. A 2007 Cornell University study reported that worldwide, pollution in all its forms causes 40 percent of all deaths worldwide. Air pollutants have been linked to several serious health issues including lung cancer, respiratory and neurological conditions, and birth defects.

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