Why are pollutants harmful

Ammonia NH3 is an odourless gas that comes from the breakdown of Nitrogen. Nitrogen is a key input in farms through fertilisers and animal feedstuffs. This is an air pollutant that has adverse effects on human health and the environment and can cause eutrophication of surface waters, loss of biodiversity, soil acidification.

It is a precursor of secondary find particles in the air, significantly reducing air quality. This can have long-term effects on the cardiovascular system and 20 respiratory system when inhaled. Emissions were 8. These latest estimates show non-compliance for the ammonia ceiling in Ireland with regards to its and emission reduction targets, with an estimated gap of 20 kilotons by The most recent EPA provisional report on Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions confirms that nitrogen fertiliser use also increased by This suggests that the adoption of abatement technologies and drastic improvements in farm level nutrient management is now required.

For information of the Code of Good practice for reducing ammonia emissions please click here. Filter result by type: Articles Images Media. SO2 Trend. Persistent Organic Pollutions. Volatile Organic Compounds. You will now receive email updates from the American Lung Association.

Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you. Our service is free and we are here to help you. Toxic Air Pollutants. Section Menu. What Are Toxic Air Pollutants? Toxic air pollutants pose different risks to health depending on the specific pollutant, including: Cancer, including lung, kidney, bone, stomach Harm to the nervous system and brain Birth defects Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat Coughing and wheezing Impaired lung function Harm to the cardiovascular system Reduced fertility How Are People Exposed to These Pollutants?

Find information about air toxics in your community EPA has two nationwide databases that provide information on emissions near you. National Air Toxics Assessment — This site reports on 33 air toxics that EPA rates as the greatest threat to public health in the largest number of urban areas. Available information includes maps and lists by state or county level. Toxics Release Inventory — Type in your zip code and learn about releases of toxic chemicals into the environment through the air, water, and land from manufacturing facilities.

For more information: U. In the ozone hole over Antarctica shown in blue was the smallest it has been since the hole was discovered. Since the banning of CFCs, the ozone hole continues to shrink, but scientists warn that complete recovery is still uncertain. Credit: NASA. The hole in the ozone layer is caused by air pollutants. Chemicals used as refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons CFCs , contain chlorine atoms.

Releasing chlorine atoms into the atmosphere destroys ozone. A single chlorine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules. The ozone layer blocks harmful UVB radiation from the Sun- it protects us in a way that is similar to putting sunscreen on your skin to prevent sunburn. The ozone hole puts all living things at risk by increasing the amount of UVB that reaches the surface.

Exposure to UVB increases the risk of skin cancer in humans, restricts growth and development in plants, slows the development of fish and amphibians, and reduces the number of phytoplankton in marine ecosystems. UVB also causes natural and synthetic materials to breakdown at an accelerated rate. Gaseous ammonia NH 3 from agriculture and nitrogen dioxide NO 2 from car, truck, and airplane emissions increases the amount of nitrogen in soils.

Plants need nitrogen to grow, but too much nitrogen can limit the growth of some plants and increase the growth of others, disrupting the balance of species within an ecosystem.

This disruption is negatively impacting grasslands and other fragile environments around the world. The map shows global ammonia hotspots identified over a 14 year period. Warm colors represent an increase in ammonia, while cool colors represent a decrease in ammonia. Greenhouse gas pollution is causing climate change. As a result, ecosystems are changing faster than plants and animals can adapt, and many species are going extinct.