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Air Pollution Sources
Air pollution comes from many sources. Some natural sources affect air quality. Volcanoes produce sulfur, chlorine, and ash. Wildfires make smoke and carbon monoxide. Cattle and other animals release methane as part of their digestive process. Even pine trees make volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
People make many types of air pollution. Factories, power plants and cars make nitrogen oxides, VOCs, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulates. In most megacities, such as Mexico City and Los Angeles, cars are the biggest source of air pollution. Even farmers burning their crop waste make carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulates.
One important thing to remember about air pollution is that it doesn’t say in one place. Winds and weather play an important part in moving pollution around. Pollution can move all around the world, changing everything it touches.
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