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In the United States about half of the people live in areas where air quality is unhealthy at times. At least 1.3 billion people world wide live in areas that are dangerously polluted.
Ultraviolet Radiation
In humans increased ultraviolet radiation is linked to skin cancer. Malignant melanoma causes 79% of all skin cancer deaths.
Concentrating Pollutants
Some pollutants stay in animal tissues instead of being excreted from bodies as waste. When these animals are eaten by predators the pollutants are passed on. This process of increasing pollutant levels through the food chain is called: Biomagnification.
Plants when exposed to smog for a long period of time will have their waxy coating of their leaves break down.
This will increase the effects of water loss causing greater damage due to pests, diseases, drought and frost.
Question: What two catastrophes could occur if the numbers of phytoplankton should severely decrease?
Smoke and soot coat buildings, paintings and sculptures requiring expensive cleaning.