5 Major Pollutants

Because of strict environmental laws, the United States has reduced the amount of air pollution across the country. The Clean Air Act, passed in 1970, has made tremendous progress in minimizing emissions of pollutants, but it still remains a problem, especially in major cities. Overuse of fossil fuels, such as gas and oil, continue to be the major causes of pollution.

Diesel

• You can often recognize diesel pollution in the form of black exhaust coming out of a vehicle. Diesel is a mixture of more than 40 toxic chemicals and substances that have been linked to cancer, asthma and other health conditions. Many states are now requiring strict emissions standards for the vehicles to reduce this form of pollution, and many cities are adding natural gas vehicles to the public transportation system in an effort to clean up emissions.

Formaldehyde

• Formaldehyde is commonly used in the manufacturing of pesticides, insulation and disinfectants. It's been linked to cancer, and possibly leukemia and asthma. Much of the formaldehyde emission comes from the lumber industry, which uses adhesives to make plywood. If using products that contain formaldehyde, be sure it is in a ventilated area, and that wood or wood fixtures with particleboard are6 laminated or coated.

Particulate Matter

• People inhale microscopic bits of particulate matter that invade the lungs and impair proper function. Also known as soot, particular matter is mainly produced by burning fossil fuels including oil, diesel coal and gas. The worst offenders are usually wood stoves, vehicles, power plants and industrial boilers. Steel production is another major cause of particulate matter pollution. There are various ways to cut down on particulate matter, including using clean and conservative sources of energy.

Benzene

• Nearly everyone in the United States is exposed to the chemical benzene in small amounts. It's a carcinogen that is used in items such as motor fuels, solvents, detergents and pesticides. It's been known to cause leukemia and other illnesses. It's found at gas stations and in cigarette smoke, including second-hand smoke. People who work in plants and refineries are often exposed to higher amounts of benzene, as it is used as a solvent for other chemicals. One way to reduce your exposure to benzene is to step away from the gas pump when filling your tank.

Ground-level Ozone

• The ozone layer in the sky has served as a protective layer from harmful sun exposure. However, ground-level ozone forms from pollution and can cause health problems. Many Americans live in areas where they are exposed to dangerous levels of ground-level ozone. It forms when nitrogen oxides and other pollutants emitted by fossil-fuel burners like vehicles and power plants react with sunlight to form smog.