What is air pollution?

Air pollution is when harmful substances are in the air that we breathe. National agencies and organizations report that:

• Air pollution comes from many sources. Some of these include industrial operations. Other sources are stationary fuel combustion and highway vehicles. And others are nonroad mobile sources (aircraft, trains, and boats). These sources emit pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Other pollutants are lead, ozone, and particulate matter.

• Many Americans live in areas of unhealthy levels of ozone (smog) or particle pollution (soot). Those at greatest risk are infants, children, and older adults. Others at greatest risk are those living with chronic lung disease, such as asthma and COPD.

The health effects of air pollution are many. Air pollution is tied to breathing problems. This includes asthma. It's also linked to early death, cancer, and long-term damage to the breathing system and to the heart and blood vessel system.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2030 defines 10-year goals for improving the health of all Americans. Preventing air pollution is a major focus of public health and environmental agencies. For more information, see www.health.gov/healthypeople.