Pollution does major damage to the environments such as destroying trees, including foods that you may eat everyday, lakes, rivers, and ocean life, not to mention possibly the water you drink, and animals that you have on your farm, in the house, or see in the zoo are also harmed by air pollution. It also affects your health in many ways. You may develop allergic symptoms such as burning, itchy eyes, throat and nose, and have trouble breathing. Major health problems such as cancer, birth defects, brain and nerve damage, and long-term injuries to the lungs and breathing passages can be also caused by the many chemicals found in polluted air. To add on to the health and environmental risks involved with air pollution, historical buildings, monuments, and precious stones that are sensitive to certain chemicals are also damaged. Air pollution can also cause haze, reducing visibility in national parks, while you even drive, and sometimes interfere with aviation.

A lot to think about, isn't it? The United States government works hard at trying to reduce pollution throughout the country. As a result, the 1990 Clean Air Act was introduced. This is a set of laws and regulations that businesses, factories, and in general, the U.S. residents are to follow to try and reduce the amounts of harmful chemicals in the air. Now that you know some basic facts about air pollution, embark with us on a trip to the EPA!

The EPA is an educational as well as a fun place to go. Check it out here!