Hazy Summer Days And Air Pollution

Hazy Summer Days and Air Pollution
By Sarah Ives
National Geographic Kids News
July 27, 2004
Have you noticed that on some hot summer days the sky can look brownish instead of clear blue? Pollution causes poor air quality—and it can be bad for your health.
Scientists say that haze and smog are the problem.
"Smog comes from two words, smoke and fog," said Alison Davis of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Both haze and smog are caused largely by pollution from sources like power plants, factories, cars, and even wildfires.
Particle pollution is one type of pollution that affects air quality. The pollution is caused by tiny particles thrown into the air by factories and other sources. "If you took a grain of table salt. ... That's 40 times bigger than the biggest [tiny particle]," Davis said.
While something so small might seem harmless, Davis explained that the particles can get deep into your lungs and even affect your heart.
Air pollution from particles and other sources like ozone can also hurt trees and animals. Ozone is created when pollution from places like factories combines with sunlight.
"Ozone can make asthma and existing lung problems worse," said Kerry Shearer of AirShare in California.
The summer usually has the worst air quality, because there is more sunlight. Sunlight reacts with pollutants to create ozone. Ozone is helpful high in the atmosphere, because it helps block the sun's harmful rays. But down closer to Earth, ozone can be harmful to people.
But that doesn't mean that you should be afraid to play outside.
Davis suggests that you check the Air Quality Index. The Air Quality Index works like a weather forecast. It lets you know how healthy the air you breathe is that day.
The index gives a color to each day. Green means that the air is healthy and clean. Yellow means that people with asthma should be a little more careful than usual. "If it's a code red day, then you shouldn't play as hard," Davis said.
According to Davis, air quality in general has been improving in the United States. In 1970, the U.S. passed the Clean Air Act. The act has helped make the air cleaner, Davis said. In London, England, the air used to be so dark and polluted that cars would have to drive with their headlights on in the middle of the day!
But there is still a lot of work to do—and you can help.
Shearer said that kids could make a big difference. "[Pollution] ties in with energy conservation and shutting off lights," he said. He suggests that kids encourage their parents to carpool. Davis agrees. She also says that recycling can help, because it saves energy.
Saving energy means that factories and power plants don't have to create as much pollution.
So next time you go outside to play, think about steps you can take to make the air healthier and the sky bluer!