Air Pollution

Have you ever heard someone say they are going outside "to get a breath of fresh air"? Have you ever tried to imagine what life would be like if the air were so dirty that people couldn't "get a breath of fresh air"?

How does air become dirty? Your car produces emissions that go into the air. The factories that made materials for your car produce more emissions. All over the world, millions of cars and millions of factories emit soot, ashes and chemicals into the air. Still more of these substances come from garbage that is burned and chemicals that are sprayed.

The result is air pollution. Sometimes you can smell pollution and sometimes, when the air looks hazy or smokey, you can see it. But sometimes it's invisible.

Invisible or not, air pollution can cause a lot of damage. Even a little air pollution can make your eyes burn and your head ache. It can tire you out, blur your vision, make you dizzy, and make it hard for you to breathe. Air pollutants can also affect asthma and make it easier for you to catch a cold or the flu. Air pollutants have also been linked to some cases of serious disease such as lung cancer and heart ailments. In fact, some scientists believe that air pollution costs Americans billions of dollars a year in doctor bills and unearned paychecks due to pollution-related illness.
People are not the only ones hurt by air pollution. Plants surrounded by polluted air may not grow. Fish and animals may die. Statues and building materials may be discolored or corroded (eaten away).