Air Pollution: How it affects Us Today

PG 1: History of the problem

PG 2: Causes of the Problem
PG 3: Consequences of the problem
PG 4: Proposed solution to the problem















History of the Problem
October 1948, a thick unbeatable cloud of smog entered the small town of Donora,
Pennsylvania which stayed in this small town consisting of close to 14000 people for 5
days. In those 5 days 20 people died and close to 6000 people were sick. Just a few
years later in London close to 3000 people were killed by smog so thick that you
couldnt see without a light even during the day time.
As a result of this, the clean air act
was formed in 1970. This act was easily made with the dense fogging of cities which
made it very difficult to breathe. The Clean Air act requires EPA to establish national
ambient air quality standards for certain common and widespread pollutants based on
the latest science. Since the Clean Air Act formed the amount of air pollution here in
America has gone down considerably. The industrial area was the primary cause for the
development of the mass air pollution that we have experienced over the years.
America sped up industry without considering the effects that it would have on America
in the future.



Causes of Air Pollution
Air Pollution may have been developed from the Industrial Revolution but the causes of
the problem are from our lack of care afterwards. Even today when air pollution is
commonly known we still have smog devastating some cities here in America still. The
automobile has been around since 1908 and electric powered automobiles have been
around for almost just as long, but electric powered automobiles are only now getting
popular. The combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel produce large
amounts of CO2 in the air and makes up close to 32% of the pollution we see here in
America. Electricity is a primary factor in the large amounts of C02 that we see as well.
Electricity is something that mankind relies on so the greenhouse gas emissions will just
grow based off this unless we do something to change it. Industry is the third primary
cause to the mass air pollution that we all see today. Many industrial processes emit
CO2 through fossil fuel combustion. Deforestation is a big factor in Air Pollution but it
isnt exactly a cause. Trees remove the CO2 in the air and then provide us with oxygen,
so since this doesnt exactly cause it, deforestation is more of a supporter to help fight
Air pollution.









Consequences of Air Pollution
Air Pollution has been around for over 100 years and we are still feeling the effects of it
today. One major effect we have been experiencing is the greenhouse effect. This is a
primary source to global warming as well as it is the process by which radiation from a
planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is radiated in all
directions. Another major consequence is the Health Effects, generally if you are young
and have a good state of health regular air pollution levels are unlikely to have serious
short term effects Although higher levels of air pollution can lead to more serious
symptoms and conditions affecting our health, it can cause anything from a heart
disease to cancer. Air pollution also have an effect on our environment, it causes
damage to plants and animals, affecting biodiversity and crops. This is a huge problem
because it means that air pollution and damage our natural resources. We all can
acknowledge why air pollution is a huge problem for us and our environment and there
is always a solution but we are yet to find it.


Pollution: The Solution

People have always been searching for a solution to stop air pollution, or at least reduce
it. After researching over multiple websites we found the same results which were
driving your automobile much less if not at all. A solution for transportation instead of
your car is an electric car or a bike. We also found that you should avoid factory-farmed
meat because the industrial farming facilities produce both air and water pollution. So
cutting back on your consumption of factory-farmed meat is a great way to do your part
in stopping air pollution. Instead you should consider eating more vegetables and
choosing meat that comes from smaller, local farms. Another great solution is to
Reduce Your Waste, cardboard and plastic packaging that comes with the food you
purchase such as clothes, cleaning supplies and other store-bought items creates a lot
of waste when it is manufactured and after you dispose of it. Instead of buying this, you
should...
Buy or grow fresh produce instead of purchasing it in a can. Make your own shampoo,
toothpaste, soap and cleaning supplies which seems weird but it can be a lot of fun and
last but not least you should recycle plastic, paper and glass. You should also plant a
tree close to your house, this can help reduce your air conditioner in the summer which
will not only help the environment but also make your bill a lot lower. Planting a tree can
convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and cleans up air
pollution.




http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/peg_caa/carstrucks.html
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/peg_caa/understand.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/why-clean-cars/air-pollution-and-health/cars-trucks-air-
pollution.html
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/vehicles/electric-car-battery3.htm
http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/index.html
http://www.plugincars.com/electric-cars-pros-and-cons-128637.html
http://www.ebay.com/gds/5-Advantages-of-Owning-an-Electric-Car-
/10000000177633219/g.html