Smog and other types of air pollution can lead to or aggravate respiratory, heart and other health problems. It can be particularly harmful to people with existing lung or heart disease, the elderly and the very young. However, not everyone who lives in these areas will have serious health problems. Level, extent and duration of exposure, age, individual susceptibility and other factors play a significant role in determining whether or not someone will experience pollution-related health problems. Since polluted air can move from one area or region to another, it has the potential to affect virtually all of us.
Air pollution takes many forms.
Acid rain, caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combining with moisture in the air, limits the ability of lakes to support aquatic life, may damage trees and plants, and erodes building surfaces and national monuments. Pollutants in the air can also reduce visibility, obscuring the majestic vistas in national parks such as Grand Canyon and Shenandoah. Air toxics include metals, particles and certain vapors from fuels or other sources. For six pollutants, EPA has established air quality standards designed to protect the health and welfare of people, plants and animals, as well as buildings, monuments, water resources, e tc. These pollutants are ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and lead.