Environmentalism: Air Pollution

We take in a breath about once every 4 to 5 seconds. Without air, we could not live. Since air is the element that fuels are bodies to work, don’t you think we should be knowledgeable when it comes to it? Air pollution is a serious issue that our world is facing, and there are many things that contribute to it. Acid rain, smog and greenhouse gases are things that commonly come to mind when you think about air pollutants, but there are a substantial amount of air pollutants that could be right in your own home. Tobacco smoke, cooking and heating appliances, and vapors from building materials or paints. Not only are these effecting you and your family personally in ways such as asthma, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections and possibly even lung cancer, but they are also effecting the entire global environment. So what do we do? In many countries, legislation is being passed to control the amounts of pollution produced by factories that is going into the air. As well as scientific experiments to access the actual damage that the pollution is causing specifically on plants, animals and humans. Business managers and owners are being investigated and fined by health departments all throughout the United States for releasing too many toxic emissions into the air at their industries. Although it seems like actions need to be administered by the government, there are many things you can do as well to prevent pollution and cut down our carbon footprint such as turn of the air-conditioner, dry your clothes and your hair naturally instead of using electricity, take the bus or just turn off a light. Whenever you conserve electricity, you are preventing pollution, so we must pay close attention to our actions that ultimately effect the environment. Reducing pollution will not happen by itself. It is our responsibility as individuals, legislation, scientists and business leader to take control and work toward less wasteful and polluting lifestyles.