The Health of our Air Document in PDF Format Please direct all questions and comments to Barry Grace Current status One of the main concerns in recent years has been the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Some uncertainty remains in these emission estimates, particularly for N 2 O, which is released in sporadic bursts, making precise estimates difficult.
Agriculture also releases other materials into the atmosphere.
It is the main source of atmospheric NH 3 and may also release some nitric oxide, dust, and pesticides into the air, though amounts are usually small. Although farms release some gases into the air, which affect its composition, they are also, in turn, influenced by emissions from other sectors of society. One example is the ground-level O 3 that causes crop damage in areas of high population density. This O 3 affects the yield and quality of produce on nearby farms, which, because of their proximity to population centres, often grow high-value crops. O 3 in the upper atmosphere.