The World Health Organization defines air pollution as, “contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.” Many things can be the cause of air pollution. Things such as vehicle emissions, coal-fueled power plants, smoke from wildfires, and ash as well as gases from volcanic eruptions can all be spotted as some of the many causes of air pollution. 

Air pollution has been discovered to be the leading cause of problems in respiratory health, cardiovascular disease, reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization called air pollution a human carcinogen or a substance that promotes the formation of cancer. Almost nine of every ten people who live in urbanized locations suffer from the side effects of air pollution. 

Air pollution affects everyone all over the world. The only way to help reduce the number of health problems caused by air pollution is to cut down on using things that will make the problem worse. Things like limiting car usage, avoiding burning trash, limiting the amount of wood burning and wood stove usage, and avoiding gas powered lawn equipment are ways to reduce air pollution.