Most air pollutants do not lead to specific diseases. Depending on the pollutant, the concentration and the duration of exposure, some organs are more affected than others. The most frequent disorders are those caused by irritant gases and particulates on the mucous membranes and respiratory organs.
The consequences are eye, nose and throat inflammations, diminished lung function, increased susceptibility to respiratory infection and a higher incidence of chronic bronchitis. These disorders and diseases are, of course, influenced by other factors as well, such as immune deficiency, allergies, occupational exposure to pollutants, and particularly smoking.
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Other Effects of Air Pollution:
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1. Ozone causes reduced pollination and yellow spot formation on leaves, thus affecting the rate of photosynthesis and decreases in plant productivity.
2. Air pollution causes global warming (green house effect), acid rain and helps in the formation of photo-chemical smog.
3. Air pollution causes chlorsis, nacrosis and epinesty in plants.
| Nacrosis | Killing or collapse of tissues | |
| Chlorosis | Reduction in the chlorophyll | |
| Abcission | Dropping of leaves | |
| Epinasty | Downward curvature of the leaf due to higher rate of growth on the upper surface |
4. Sulphur dioxide is converted to sulphuric acid in the presence of moisture and iron, which are present in dust, nails, etc. This results in yellowing, decolonization, weakening and corrosion of materials and other physical distortion of building materials, monuments, status etc.
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5. Air pollution causes depletion of Ozone in stratosphere.
6. Air pollution causes temperature inversion.
Major Air Pollutants, Their Origin and Effects are given below:
| Pollutant | Origin of Pollutant | Effects |
| Sulphur dioxide | industries, especially where coal or oil are used as fuel | irritation of eyes, and respiratory system, increased mucus production, cough and shortness of breath |
| Carbon monoxide | automobile exhaust and industries | reduction in oxygen-carrying capacity of blood |
| Oxides of nitrogen | automobile exhaust | irritation of pulmonary tract affecting functioning of lungs |
| Hydrocarbons | automobile exhaust | lung cancer |
| Chlorine | chloralkali industry | irritation of mucous membrane |
| Ammonia | fertiliser, industry, agriculture and in poultry farming | irritation of mucous membrane |
| Hydrogen sulphide | manufacture of coke, viscose rayon distillation of tar and petroleum | excessive inhalation leads to death |
| Acids and Aldehydes | chemical industries | eyes, nose and throat irritation |
| Suspended particulate matter (SPM) | industries, automobile exhaust | respiratory diseases |
| Dust | industries and automobile exhaust | silicosis |
| Asbestos | roofings, brake linings | asbestosis |
| Lead | automobile exhaust | cumulative poison, impairment of central nervous system |
| Manganese | mining operations | damages nerves and reproductive system |
| Benzene | automobile exhaust and manufacture of chemicals | leukemia, chromosomal damage |
| Pesticides | manufacture and application of pesticides | depression; leads to death if inhaled in excess |