Chapter 16
Breathing Room: Addressing Man-Made Air Pollution
IN THIS CHAPTER
Recognizing different types of air pollutants
Examining air pollution’s consequences
Understanding how ozone depletion occurs
Realizing that indoor air is polluted, too
Using technology and regulation to clean the air
Fresh, clean air is something many people take for granted. Until the air they’re breathing becomes polluted — either darkened or irritating to inhale — folks just don’t realize how much they depend on clean, breathable air. The air around you is susceptible to natural and human sources of air pollution that damage air quality and reduce the availability of this important resource.
In this chapter, I describe the common air pollutants and their effects. I focus on man-made air pollution, explaining how pollutants in the air are detrimental to human health and damage ecosystems. I also discuss how man-made air pollutants harm the Earth’s ozone layer, and I lay out the effects of indoor air pollution. ...
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