What helpful actions can you take?

Air pollution has many disastrous effects that need to be stopped. In order to accomplish this, governments, scientists and environmentalists use a variety of methods to reduce pollution. We can all work together to reduce air pollution and clean up areas that have already been damaged. A few ways to begin helping your community can be creating a group with your friends and family to make awareness of air pollution in your community. For example, encourage your friends to carpool to school or take the bus to reduce automobile pollution. The solutions are limitless and its everyone's job to help make the world a better place to live (and breathe.)

How is air pollution connected to poverty?

Air pollution can cause a lot of damage to buildings and the environment. What if acid rain wore down a building to the point that it needed to be shut down for repairs? Many people could lose their jobs because the company can't pay employees plus the cost of repairs. Half of all Americans live in places with unsafe levels of air pollution. Air pollution triggers millions of asthma attacks each year and contributes to other serious health problems mostly among children, senior citizens and other sensitive groups. Hospital bills add up quickly and soon you find yourself in debt all because of air pollution.

What externalities does air pollution raise?

Air pollution causes damage to property, structures and crops. Acid rain, smog, and ozone depletion are also results of air pollution that damage buildings, reduce clean air supply, and negatively effects community health. The majority of the population lives in urban areas and are exposed to air pollution, so medical costs associated with air pollution is another externality.

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials into the atmosphere. It can cause harm to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the environment. Air pollution is mostly caused by the burning of fuel. Power plants, automobiles, aerosol sprays, and chemicals contribute to air pollution.