Effects of industrial air pollution on wildlife

Air pollution is a recognized health hazard for man and domestic animals. Although industrial air pollutants have been known to cause sickness and death of the latter for over 100 years, little attention has been paid to their importance in the decline of wildlife. This paper reviews the existing information on the effects of industrial air pollutants on vertebrate wildlife. Air pollutants have had a worldwide effect on both wild birds and wild mammals, often causing marked decreases in local animal populations. The major effects of industrial air pollution on wildlife include direct mortality, debilitating industrial-related injury and disease, physiological stress, anaemia, and bioaccumulation. Some air pollutants have caused a change in the distribution of certain wildlife species.