Protecting air quality is critical to public and environmental health.
Air pollution causes lung disease and decreases lung function in children. It also worsens
and increases the risk of dying from heart and lung disease and is associated with cancer.
Air pollution also affects the environment by harming soil, water, crops, forests, wildlife and visibility.
The main sources of air pollution in Washington are motor vehicles
(over 50%) and smoke from outdoor burning and wood stoves.