Science Common Sense

124 - How does pollution affect air quality?

Pollution affects air quality in several ways:

1. Bad particles: Cars, factories, and fires release tiny particles into the air, making it hard to breathe and causing problems for people with asthma.
2. Bad gases: Factories and cars also release bad gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which can irritate our lungs and make it harder to breathe.
3. Smog: When pollution mixes with sunlight and water vapor, it creates a yucky, foggy air called smog. This can make our air feel thick and dirty.
4. Climate change: Some pollutants, like carbon dioxide, trap heat in the atmosphere, making the Earth warmer and affecting the weather.

All these things can make it hard for people and animals to breathe, and even make us sick.