There are many kinds of air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the Air Quality Index (AQI) for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Ozone and particle pollution are two common pollutants found in many parts of the country.
Learn about ozone and particle pollution by viewing the animations at right. Click on "Smog City" below to see how individual choices, environmental factors and land use contribute to air pollution. The links above and at the lower right will provide students and teachers with more information about ozone, particle pollution, and the Air Quality Index.