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Good air quality is another basic need for the human population. When the air quality is less than desirable, health problems increase, plants and animals we use for food may become contaminated and unsafe to consume and the contaminants may combine with water causing damage to our physical environment.
The Population Explosion added to the problem of clean air by encouraging people to move to urban areas where generally more and better paying jobs were available. Not only were more pollutants added to the air from industry but by the automobiles as the workers traveled to and from work.
Polluted air is a way of life for most residents in the large cities of New York, Chicago or Los Angles. The heating and air-conditioning units installed in homes increase energy demands and contribute to the air pollution problem.
Most chemicals eventually find their way into the atmosphere. Initially, these are released in such a small amount that there is not a cause for concern. However, over a period of time, this build up in the atmosphere is believed to pose a risk to the environment and human health. Air pollution is believed to contribute to cardiopulmonary conditions that result to more the 60,000 premature deaths in the United States.
A paper on the pollutant carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide might be a method for the student to do research and writing in science. They might also research the effect of particulates and aerosols play in destroying the atmosphere.