Air Pollution Air pollution consists of chemicals or particle s in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. It also damages buildings. Pollutant s in the air take many forms. They can be gases, solid particles, or liquid droplets. Sources of Air Pollution Pollution enters the Earth's atmosphere in many different ways. Most air pollution is created by people, taking the form of emission s from factories, cars, planes, or aerosol can s. Second-hand cigarette smoke is also considered air pollution. These man-made sources of pollution are called anthropogenic source s. Some types of air pollution, such as smoke from wildfire s or ash from volcano es, occur naturally. These are called natural source s. Air pollution is most common in large cities where emissions from many different sources are concentrated . Sometimes, mountains or tall buildings prevent air pollution from spreading out. This air pollution often appears as a cloud making the a
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Air Pollution Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air—pollutants which are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths around the globe. Nine out of ten human beings currently breathe air that exceeds the WHO’s guideline limits for pollutants, with those living in low- and middle-income countries suffering the most. In the United States, the Clean Air Act , established in 1970, authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard public health by regulating the emissions of these harmful air pollutants. What Causes Air Pollution? “Most air pollution comes from energy use and production,” says John Walke , director of the Clean Air Project, part of the Climate and Clean Energy program at NRDC. “Burning fossil fuels releases gases and chemicals into the air.” And in an especially destructive feedback loop, air p