What are some ways that air pollution is naturally caused?
1 Answer
Forest fires and volcanic eruptions are two of the main ways air pollution can occur naturally.
Explanation:
Forest fires put huge amount of ash and soot into the atmosphere that can cause lung function problems for people and animals - not to mention death if you are close enough to a fire. This ash does settle out over a matter of days or weeks once the fire is put out.
Volcanic eruptions can also put out large amounts of choking ash and sulphur dioxide that can impact human and animal health. Volcanic eruptions can go on for days or weeks and if they put out enough ash, this can actually cool the planet for a year or two. This also interferes with international aviation.
Dust storms can also kick up a lot of fine particles that can impact human health. Volatile organic compounds are also produced naturally by plants and trees. Radon is a radioactive gas that often seeps from coal seams.
