Air Pollution – Its Effects on Health and Environment

Abstract

Air pollution can harm us when it accumulates in the air in high enough concentrations. Millions of Americans live in areas where urban smog, particle pollution, and toxic pollutants pose serious health concerns. People exposed to high enough levels of certain air pollutants may experience Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulties, Worsening of existing lung and heart problems, such as asthma and increased risk of heart attack. In addition, long-term exposure to air pollution can cause cancer and damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. In extreme cases, it can even cause death. Along with harming human health, air pollution can cause a variety of environmental effects such as acid rain, eutrophication, haze, effects on wildlife, ozone depletion, crop and forest damage, global climate change etc. Keywords: air pollution, sustainable environment, health