Impact

Impact

1. Impact on air

   • Poisonous gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air when coal is burned

2. Impact on health

   • Air pollution is extremely bad for the environment and for the health of people.
   • In SA between 20 to 30 million people breathe in air that is not safe and are likely to develop lung diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and lung cancer

3. Impact on the environment

   • When fossil fuels such as coal, and natural gas are burnt in power stations they produce large amount of carbon dioxide
   • In the past trees and other plants were able to control the level of carbon dioxide by using the gas during photosynthesis, this reaction releases oxygen into the atmosphere
   • Forests are being cut down to make way for farming and urbanization, which means that photosynthesis decreases so less CO2 is being used up and less O2 is being released, this will contribute to the greenhouse effect which adds to global warming and will bring about changes in the climate