Why is Air Pollution a Global Problem? We all suffer from air pollution, some more than others.

Scientists have estimated that every day, an average person inhales about 20,000 liters of air. Every time we breathe, we risk inhaling dangerous chemicals that have found their way into the air. Air pollution (AP) includes all contaminants found in the atmosphere. These dangerous substances can be either in the form of gases or particles. It can be found both outdoors and indoors. Pollutants can be trapped inside buildings, causing indoor pollution that lasts for a long time. The sources of AP are both natural and human-based.  As one might expect, humans have been producing increasing amounts of pollutants as time has progressed, and they now account for the majority of pollutants released into the air.

AP has been a problem throughout history.  Even in Ancient Rome people complained about smoke put into the atmosphere. The effects of AP are diverse and numerous. AP can have serious consequences for the health of human beings, and also severely affects natural ecosystems. Because it is located in the atmosphere, AP is able to travel far off places easily. As a result, air pollution is a global problem and has been the subject of both global cooperation and conflict. Some areas now suffer more than others from AP.  Cities with large numbers of automobiles or those that use great quantities of coal often suffer most severely from problems of AP. Continue Reading Why is Air Pollution a Global Problem? Here