Increases in these atmospheric molecules and particles result in:

• The greenhouse effect: an elevation in the Earth’s surface temperature due to the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by atmospheric gases.
• A depletion in ozone levels caused by the release of refrigerants, which produce free radicals that catalyze the decomposition of ozone is called decreased stratospheric ozone.
• Acidic precipitation that occurs when the pollutants sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide react with water in the atmosphere called acid rain.
• Increased ozone concentrations at ground levels: an increase in surface ozone that contributes to smog.