m53.    How does air pollution affect organisms?

Cigarette smoking is responsible for the largest exposure to CO of humans.  CO reduces the ability of the blood to transport O₂, impairs perception and thinking, slows reflexes, causes headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea. Suspended particles aggravate bronchitis and asthma.  Mixed with soft tissues and moisture, they may change into toxins. Sulfur dioxide causes constriction of the airways. Nitrogen dioxide encourages the spread of cancer. Volatile organic compounds (benzene and formaldehyde) cause mutations, reproductive problems and cancer. Air pollution costs the US $150 billion annually in health care, and lost work productivity; $100 billion of that is caused by indoor air pollution.

Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone damage the leaves of crops and trees. These pollutants interfere with photosynthesis. Overall productivity of European forests has been reduced by 16% because of air pollution. From Georgia to New England, similar die-backs have been seen on high elevation slopes facing mass air movements.

Acid shock occurs when aluminum is leached from the soils and clogs fish's gills. About 9,000 lakes are threatened in Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Upper Great Lakes, and the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

e01.    What is biodiversity?

e09.    What is succession?

e10.    Why do organisms become extinct?

e14.    What are the basic components of life?

e17.    How do organisms use matter?

e18.    Does water recover from pollution?

e19.    What materials can cause water pollution?

e20.    What are environmental hazards and risks?

g04.    What causes climates to change?

g13.    What makes up earth's climate?

g19.    Where do you find air pollution?