The main emission they cause is sulfur dioxide. This chemical itself is not a health hazard, but when it is mixed into the air in our atmosphere it forms dangerous toxins. All of the pollutants in the air pose a serious threat to our health. The risks range from minor to fatal. There has been an increase in respiratory diseases, causing many problems with breathing, due to chemicals found in our air.
More serious illnesses are heart and lung diseases that are fatal.
Air pollution causes a major threat for the future and habitability of our environment. Chemicals stuck in the earth's atmosphere, smog, cause global warming from the greenhouse effect. These chemicals trap heat from the sun in our atmosphere and the climate of the earth gradually rises. When it rains, the chemicals in the air are brought back down to earth in what is called acid rain. These chemicals are then able to seep into the land and water.