Atmospheric pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere or gaseous waste byproducts,

solid or liquid, which can be harmful to human health, causing damage to plants, attack
different materials and produce unpleasant odors.

Many contaminants come from easily identified sites. Sulfur dioxide, for example, comes
from power plants that burn coal or oil. Others are formed by the action of sunlight on
reactive materials previously issued to the atmosphere. For example, ozone (a dangerous
contaminant that is part of pollution), is produced by the interaction of hydrocarbons and
nitrogen oxides under the influence of sunlight. Ozone has also caused many losses in crops.
On the other hand, the discovery, in the late 80s, that some air pollutants, such as
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are producing the decrease of the ozone layer, CFC made will be
less and less used.

The concentration of toxic substances is reduced as they are dispersed into the atmosphere,
which process depends on climatic factors, such as temperature, wind speed movement of
high and low pressure systems.

Miguel Morgado 9ºC nº18