Smart City Air Challenge Resource Pages: Air Pollution

The air we breathe in many U.S. cities is being polluted by activities such as driving cars and trucks; burning coal, oil, and other fossil fuels; and manufacturing chemicals. Air pollution can even come from smaller, everyday activities such as dry cleaning, filling your car with gas, and degreasing and painting operations. These activities add gases and particles to the air we breathe. When these gases and particles accumulate in the air in high enough concentrations, they can harm us and our environment. More people in cities and surrounding counties means more cars, trucks, industrial and commercial operations, and generally means more pollution.

Air pollution is a problem for all of us. The average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air every day. Children breathe even more air per pound of body weight and are more susceptible to air pollution. Many air pollutants, such as those that form urban smog and toxic compounds, remain in the environment for long periods of time and are carried by the winds hundreds of miles from their origin. Millions of people live in areas where urban smog, very small particles, and toxic pollutants pose serious health concerns. Learn more about the air pollutants that low-cost air quality sensors can detect and see  basic information about the impacts of air pollution.

Smog, Particles, and Other Common Pollutants

Breathing air pollution such as ozone (a primary ingredient in urban smog), particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and lead can have numerous effects on human health, including respiratory problems, hospitalization for heart or lung disease, and even premature death. Some can also have effects on aquatic life, vegetation, and animals.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. Common sources can include burning kerosene, wood or oil, smoking tobacco products, releases from household cleaners, pesticides, building materials, and radon.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. This section provides information on emissions and removals of the main greenhouse gases to and from the atmosphere. For more information on the science of climate change and other climate forcers, such as black carbon, please visit the Climate Change Science Home Page.

Toxic Air Pollutants

Includes 188 hazardous air pollutants, such as benzene, methylene chloride, mercury, and dioxins. Some are known or suspected to cause cancer. Others may cause respiratory effects, birth defects, and reproductive and other serious health effects. Some can even cause death or serious injury if accidentally released in large amounts.

General Information on Toxic Air Pollutants

 

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