5 Things You Need to Know About Air Pollution

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution is broken down into primary and secondary groups. Primary air pollution is made up of the actual chemicals that are emitted into the atmosphere from various sources like automobiles, factories, and refineries. Secondary air pollution is the result of the chemical reaction between these emitted chemicals and the atmosphere.

The Negative Effects of Air Pollution

Criteria pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons, and non-methane organic gases (NMOG) are emitted from motor vehicle tailpipes and pollute the air worldwide. The most visible evidence of this is smog, a description coined long ago that describes what appears to be a mix of smoke and fog that can blanket whole cities. While not a tailpipe emission controlled by state and federal regulations, internal combustion engines also create carbon emissions, which many believe are a huge contributor to the increased greenhouse effect that is a cause of the melting polar icecaps. The increased greenhouse effect is also believed to be a cause for the increases in extreme weather conditions and storms all over the world, as well as the rising sea levels that are causing faster erosion of our beaches and shorelines. Air pollution is a noted cause in the destruction of natural habitats all over the world thanks to the reduction or extinction of several plant species. With the destruction of habitats comes the impending destruction of species. It's a snowball effect that is truly global.

How Cars Contribute to Air Pollution

Automobiles are the single highest cause of air pollution, with a list of pollutants that come directly from their use, manufacturing, and the refining of oil that is used for them specifically. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there are six major ingredients in air pollution. Ozone is a primary ingredient in smog, which is created when nitrous oxide and hydrocarbons from engine combustion react with sunlight. Particulate matter (PM) emitted from engines - most notably diesel - poses the greatest threat to human health. PM can become trapped deep in the lungs. Nitrogen oxides can reduce the body's ability to fight infection. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and is created when a car engine runs. It can cause brain damage and even death if it is breathed for too long. Dangerous sulfur dioxide comes primarily from burning sulfur containing fuels like diesel, although low sulfur diesel fuel has recently been mandated in the U.S. to mitigate this. Hazardous air pollutants or toxics can also be found in the air around gas pumps or refineries.

What Governments are Doing to Prevent Air Pollution

The 1970's Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) were created to both improve air quality as well as to regulate those industries contributing to the problem. They contain specific goals for regulating and reducing pollution from cars, trucks, planes, and other mobile sources of pollution.

What You Can Do to Help Prevent Air Pollution

By cutting down on the use of single-car transportation and using car-pooling or public transportation, there can be a significant reduction of air pollution. Walking or biking when possible also provide a great benefit for your heart and the planet. If you need to drive, consider one of the newer hybrid or clean-fuel vehicles that are becoming more readily available.

Tracie Close is a freelance writer for print and the web on eco-friendly topics. Her articles have been published in Saving American Manufacturing, Philadelphia Style Magazine, and High Tech, High Touch. She also has contributed numerous articles about green living for eHow.com.