Question: Burning fossil fuels can create a couple of different compounds that can be harmful to life. These two compounds are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Each of these compounds can rise quite high in the atmosphere. This is where they can combine and react with water, oxygen, or other chemicals. When these compounds react with other substances it creates air pollution which is a huge threat to life. Air pollution can cause sickness to humans or animals. Breathing in low quality air is horrible for our bodie. Need Assignment Help?