The words conjure up images of blue skies, clear water, green foliage, healthy wildlife and unique cultural resources. Indeed, national parks are national treasures. Visitors to the national parks should expect pristine, scenic vistas during their visit to these national treasures. In recent years, however, the scenic vistas and natural and cultural resources in the national parks have been disturbed by air pollution and contaminated precipitation. The permanent residents of parks, plants and animals, are showing signs of stress directly resulting from air pollution and acid precipitation.
Air pollution can accelerate aging and decay of historic building materials.
These pollution problems are not limited to parks near urban centers. Parks in remote areas are showing effects due to air pollution and acid precipitation. Just as pollution finds its way into the national parks, it crosses international boundaries sometimes straining relations. Pollution also enters our personal lives, affecting our individual health and well being. The Air Anyone who has played the game of holding their breath knows how important air is to our well being.