AIR QUALITY 101

What Is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is a variety of substances and gases in our air that pose risks to health.  Important air pollutants include ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic substances such as mercury and some naturally occurring substances such as pollen. Read more.

What is Smog or Ozone?
Smog is another term for ground level ozone, which is formed when nitrogen oxide (NOx) combines with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. NOx are a by-product of fossil fuel combustion (oil, natural gas, coal) and so come from cars and trucks, power plants, and industrial processes. 

What is Soot or Particulate Matter?
Particle pollution, or particulate matter (PM), is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets that vary in size. PM includes aerosols and fine solids, such as dust. These particles can get trapped in the lungs and cause pulmonary and circulatory problems, as well as trigger asthma attacks.  High levels of PM has also been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and slow lung function growth in children.  Read More about how exposure to particulate matter exacerbates respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

What is Mercury?
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a developmental neurotoxin that interferes with brain development. Human exposure results principally from consumption of fish and other seafood contaminated by mercury. Significant amounts of mercury are emitted from Georgia’s coal-fired power plants.  Read about a new rule in Georgia that requires tighter controls for mercury emissions.

Health Effects of Bad Air
Exposure to many pollutants in the air can result in a range of adverse health effects from shortness of breath and coughing to heart attacks and lung cancer.

Medical Perspectives on Air Pollution

Read Scientific and Medical Expert Perspectives on Smog and Health

Read about a major study in California showing that air pollution is not just a problem for children and adults with asthma.  Children in polluted areas developed asthma at higher rates and had slower lung function growth than children in less polluted areas.

Read the latest Report on Childhood Asthma from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Atlanta's Air Challenges: Clearing the Air Video
"Clearing the Air" explores the current state of the region's air quality, defines the various types of pollution, profiles efforts to improve air quality and showcases specific programs that employers and commuters can take to adopt a Clean Air Lifestyle.  Watch the video.

Protecting Children from Air Pollution

Sign Up for Smog Alert Emails
Download Guidelines: Protecting Children from Air Pollution

Read About Childhood Asthma
Find Resources About Sending Your Child Back-to-School with Asthma

Additional Information

Clean Air Act in Plain English

Physicians for Social Responsibility

More information on air pollution and health

American Lung Association

Outdoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality

Georgia Agency responsible for monitoring ambient air quality

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Air Protection Branch