What Causes Air Pollution in the U.S.?
The ecological stability of our planet has reached a critical stage for the first time since the dawn of mankind, many scientists believe, and the United States of America is second only to China in terms of contributions to air pollution. The reasons behind air pollution are many, but modern trends are finally starting to indicate small improvements in the way we care for our home.
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Homes
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A 1985 Environmental Protection Agency study indicated that one in five U.S. buildings were significantly contributing to air pollution and in some homes, air quality was likely to be 100 times worse than air in the immediate outside environment. Air pollution in the home is largely attributed to our lifestyles, and the biggest culprits are carpets and furniture that emit large volumes of formaldehyde. Cigarette smoking, cleaning products and linoleum tiling are also responsible for poor air quality.
Transportation
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Transportation has been one of the biggest reasons behind poor air quality. The number of cars on U.S. roads and highways continues to grow, and this leads to larger emissions of carbon dioxide, one of the leading contributors to global warming. Although modern manufacturers are implementing new technology to produce greener vehicles, air quality is still being affected by the impact of traffic in the past. According to the CleanAIR Systems website, diesel trucks used in 1988 were emitting 60 times more soot into the atmosphere than an equivalent vehicle in 2007.
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Industry
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U.S. industry is responsible for particularly high levels of air pollution. Chemical byproducts are released into the atmosphere as a result of burning fuels, and this can result in acid rain, smog and depletion of the ozone layer. However, heavy industry only shoulders a small percentage of the blame. Many office building are also responsible for air pollution. Photocopying equipment, telephone cabling systems and air conditioning units all emit harmful substances that cause deterioration in air quality.
Livestock
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Although the rearing of livestock contributes to our survival as a vital food source, the harmful gases released as a result of grazing continue to contribute to air pollution. Pig farms, for example, are responsible for the emission of hydrogen sulfide, and this can lead to flu-like illnesses in human beings which, according to National Resources Defense Council, claimed the lives of 19 people in the United States during 1998.
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References
- Health and Energy: Air Pollution Causes and Effects; Tom Socha; September 2007
- CleanAIR Systems: 10 Pollution Fast Facts; November 2007
- CleanAIR Systems: 26 Pollution Facts You Probably Didn't Know; October 2007
- Natural Resources Defense Council: Facts about Pollution from Livestock Farms; January 2011
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
