Impact on/of Air Pollution

IMPACT OF
AIR POLLUTION

Due to the far reaching impact of air pollution on the environment, and in turn the ecological status, it is a key concern.

Plants are more sensitive than humans and animals to the effects of air pollution. The three most important pollutants are ozone (O₃), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), with a greater impact on annual crops than perennial crops. The Gauteng State of the Environment Report (1995) highlighted the most significant air quality issues as follows:

Global warming due to the generation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, ozone and methane.
Acid deposition where sulphates and nitrates in the atmosphere are deposited in rain, mist or through dry deposition. Acid deposition can lead to the salination and acidification of water resources and of soil.
Salination of water resources is caused by the accumulation of sulphates and nitrates on the land surface, and their transport into dams and lakes.
Sulphates and nitrates can increase soil acidity. Concentrations of toxic metals in the soil solution may increase which can impact on plant growth.

AIR POLLUTION IN RELATION TO IMPACT

Pollutant	Source	Health
Ozone (O3)	Action of sunlight on NO₂, _HC's	Asthma ; Bronchitis ; Irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes ; Headaches ; Nose & throat irritation
Lead	Transportation Industry	Reduced birth weight and lowered intelligence
Carbon dioxide	Burning of fossil fuels Combustion in motor vehicles	Headaches Asphyxiation Impairment of performance on tasks requiring attention Aggravation of cardiovascular disease Enhances global warming
Suspended particles	Burning of fossil fuels, untarred roads, mining dust and agriculture	Damage to lung tissues causing respiratory disease
Sulphur dioxide	Burning of fossil fuels (coal)	Causes constriction of the airways in people with asthma, repeated exposure causes a condition similar to bronchitis. Increased risk of acute respiratory disease Causes acid rain
Nitrogen dioxide	Burning of fossil fuels especially motor vehicles	Can irritate the lungs, aggravate the condition of people suffering from asthma or chronic bronchitis
Hydrocarbons	Vehicles and inudstrial processes	Can cause some defects in babies during pregnancy or cancer. Precursor to photochemical smog, which causes respiratory diseases
Carbon monoxide	Vehicle emissions	Restricts oxygen uptake Causes drowsiness, headaches, death
Heavy metals	Industry and motor vehicles	Health Heavy metals can cause cancer, defects in babies during pregnancy Lead – Neurocognitive and neuromotor impairment

REFERENCES

Gauteng SoER 1995:

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