Also lost is the connection of people to the very land that sustains them. Entire generations are growing up never seeing a row of corn anywhere other than in a supermarket aisle. This same effect is felt when formerly unique communities are no longer separate from each other. An unending patchwork of commercial strips and subdivisions can make it almost impossible to get a sense of place as we travel out of the city into a town or village. Because sprawl requires us to drive more often and for more miles, it dramatically increases car and truck exhaust emissions, the source of about a third of the pollutants that foul our air.
Ozone does permanent lung damage, especially among the young and the elderly.
On an average weekday in 1991, NOx and VOCs emitted from motor vehicles in Southeastern Wisconsin totaled over 250 tons. These emissions contribute to large increases in hospitalization and create added risk rates for people suffering from asthma, emphysema, heart conditions, and those who are elderly or very young. The impact on the lifestyle of healthy people is also dramatic. We're urged not to drive cars until measurements drop below danger levels. We're told to avoid sports and other outside activities.