Air pollution is basically dirty air! It's when harmful stuff gets mixed into the air we breathe, making it unhealthy.
What makes air dirty?
Many things can pollute the air. Think of it like this: imagine your bedroom – if you leave your clothes and toys everywhere, it gets messy and hard to breathe easily. The same happens with the air around us!
Some common culprits include:
- Cars and trucks: Exhaust fumes release gases and tiny particles.
- Factories: These can release smoke and other pollutants into the air.
- Dust and pollen: These tiny particles float in the air, especially during windy days.
- Mold spores: Tiny living things that can cause problems for those with allergies.
- Volcanoes and wildfires: These natural events release large amounts of ash and smoke into the atmosphere.
These solid and liquid particles in the air are called aerosols. They, along with certain gases, are the main components of air pollution.1
Why is air pollution bad?
Breathing polluted air isn't good for your health. It can cause:
- Coughing and wheezing
- Eye irritation
- Breathing difficulties
- Make asthma and allergies worse
It's important to remember that clean air is essential for everyone's health and well-being.
What can we do?
We can all help make the air cleaner!
- Walk, bike, or use public transport instead of always driving.
- Recycle and reduce waste to lessen pollution from factories.
- Plant trees – trees help clean the air!
By understanding air pollution and taking simple steps, we can all contribute to a healthier planet and a cleaner environment for everyone.
1 Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid and liquid particles suspended in our air are called aerosols. 25-Sept-2024
