Air Pollution-Related Illness By Abigail R Lara, MD, University of Colorado Reviewed / Revised May 2020 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education The major components of air pollution in developed countries are Nitrogen dioxide (from combustion of fossil fuels) Ozone (from the effect of sunlight on nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons) Suspended solid or liquid particles Sulfur oxides (See also Overview of Environmental Pulmonary Disease.)