Smog and Your Health

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The Issue

Smog can cause damage to your heart and lungs - even when you can't see or smell it in the air around you.

Background

When we hear the word smog, many of us picture the chemical "soup" that often appears as a brownish-yellow haze over cities. But smog isn't always visible. It's a mixture of air pollutants, including gases and particles that are too small to see. Smog often begins in big cities, but smog levels can be just as high or higher in rural and suburban areas.

We all need to protect our health against potential damage from smog.

Types and Sources of Air Pollution

The scientists who study smog are most concerned about the following types of air pollution:

Type: Particulate Matter - or PM. This is the name given to microscopic particles that pollute the air. They vary in size and chemical make-up.

Sources: Industrial and vehicle emissions, road dust, agriculture, construction and wood burning.

Type: Ground-level Ozone. This gas is the result of a chemical reaction when certain pollutants are combined in the presence of sunlight. Ground-level ozone shouldn't be confused with the ozo