Linkages with other issues

Smog is linked to the acid rain and visibility/regional haze issues because some of the same pollutants are involved. Sulphur dixoide (SO₂) and nitrous oxides (NO_x), which are important precursor pollutants in the smog issue, are also the main contributors to acid rain. Fine particulate matter (PM), one of the two primary pollutants involved in smog, is also the main contributor to visibility deterioration and regional haze. And because they contribute to the formation of fine particulate matter (PM), the precursor pollutants sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrous oxides (NO_x), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia (NH₃) are also implicated in the visibility/regional haze issue.

There are also linkages between smog and both hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and climate change. Certain HAPs, primarily heavy metals, may be adsorbed and distributed in the atmosphere on fine particulate matter. Some of the health effects attributed to fine particulate matter link may be due to adsorbed HAPs, and some of the management options for HAPs may be control measures to reduce fine particulate matter (PM) emissions. The warmer ground-level temperatures resulting from climate change are expected to increase the rate of fine PM and ground-level ozone formation in the atmosphere by enhancing the rate of the chemical transformation reactions involved.