| In a world that is becoming increasingly | | | | for a healthy person in the prime of his or |
| industrialized, and in a world where more | | | | her life, polluting particles in the air can |
| people can afford to drive cars, air | | | | cause problems in children and in the elderly |
| pollution is becoming a larger problem. While | | | | or the infirm. Additionally pollutants in the |
| there are those who would debate whether or | | | | air can aggravate asthma symptoms and |
| not our air pollution is causing global | | | | increase allergy symptoms. This can be |
| warming, versus the earth's natural warming | | | | annoying and dangerous to the health of some |
| process since the last Ice Age, that is not | | | | people. |
| the issue. Definitive proof may or may not be | | | | |
| found anytime soon. What is certain, however, | | | | But these respiratory problems are not all. |
| is that there are confirmed problems caused | | | | Heavy air pollution can be damaging even to |
| by air pollution. These problems include | | | | the most healthy of people. Mexico City, the |
| respiratory problems and they also include | | | | largest city in the world, has major air |
| problems regarding what we eat. | | | | pollution problems. It is said that just |
| | | | breathing the air each day is like smoking |
| As the world moves more into the modern age, | | | | more than a pack of cigarettes. If the |
| more pollutants are spewed into the air. | | | | pollution is heavy enough, serious health |
| Rising middle classes in large, formerly poor | | | | problems, including cancer, can result from |
| countries like China and India want the same | | | | the toxins constantly breathed in through the |
| privileges that we have of driving cars. | | | | air. |
| Additionally, countries that entered the | | | | |
| latter half of the 20th Century largely free | | | | Another air pollution problem has to do with |
| of industry are now establishing it in order | | | | mercury. Mercury is a by product of many |
| to jump into the 21st Century and bring their | | | | factories, and is present in the particles |
| economies up to date. Many of these countries | | | | spewed from the tops of smokestacks. As the |
| are understandably resentful of regulations | | | | mercury gets into the earths atmospheric |
| that others try to foist on them because the | | | | system, it mingles with rain, which then |
| already industrialized countries had their | | | | falls into water and is absorbed by fish. As |
| opportunity for unregulated and explosive | | | | larger fish (like tuna) prey on the smaller, |
| industrial growth. And the increasing demands | | | | they receive even higher amounts. Even though |
| for cars, coupled with lowered restrictions | | | | fish is generally healthy, there are some |
| on pollution output, in the U.S. continues to | | | | varieties that should be avoided. And it is |
| drive the air pollution machine. No matter | | | | recommended that no one eat more than two |
| where it comes from, however, air pollution | | | | servings of fish per week. Pregnant women and |
| causes health problems almost everywhere. | | | | children should eat no more than one serving |
| | | | of some fish and should avoid eating any of |
| Respiratory problems are a very natural and | | | | certain types of fish, as the mercury can |
| scientifically established result of air | | | | cause defects and has been linked to |
| pollution. While mild pollution is not awful | | | | developmental problems. |