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Tristan Wallin
Mrs. Ludwig
English 101, MW 11:00-12:20
11 May 2016
Americas Airborne Assassin
Growing up in California, near Los Angeles, air pollution is a term I have become very
familiar with. Air pollution is the condition in which air is contaminated by foreign substance,
or the substances themselves (Air Pollution). Furthermore this includes a variety of harmful
substances that, when present in sufficient concentration, for a sufficient time, and under certain
conditions, tend to interfere with human comfort, health, or welfare, and cause environmental
damage (Air Pollution). This suffocating air pollution affected me before I was even aware of
what the term air pollution actually meant. On field trips to the aquarium or the zoo, many kids
noted the unappealing brownish fog hovering just above the city's skyline. There were many
days in elementary school when classes were forced to stay indoors because of the bad air
quality. Many kids began to breathe a little faster and cough a little more. Personally, the air
pollution compounded with my asthma made daily life very strenuous because it became difficult
to play for long periods of time without having trouble breathing. It was like trying to breathe
while wearing a shirt that was five times too small. My inhaler became my best friend. In a kids
world, many children recognized this as a formality, accepting that this is how the world has
always been, and how it will always be. Many of us were yet to realize that this was an
increasingly serious problem, a problem that affected the globe, far beyond our sphere of
influence. This is a problem with roots that can be traced back to human interference. This is a
problem with serious health effects. This is a problem in which it is estimated that by 2050, will

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claim 6 million lives (Kukreja). However, it is a problem that has solutions. With such serious,
universal problems, humanity can not simply plug their ears and shout lalalala until it goes
away. Fortunately, in a Tedx Talk featuring Romain Lacombe, it was revealed that air pollution is
actually the worlds first preventable health risk (Lacombe). Humans have the ability, if they
choose, to eradicate or at least reduce this pollution, but attempting to reverse this widespread air
pollution will take a global effort. A city like Los Angeles can be used as an example to show
how places that contribute the most to the problem of air pollution can be a part of the solution
too. This problem will grow if an active effort is not made to eradicate it. Air pollution caused by
both human activity and natural causes is one of the most concerning problems of the twenty first
century because of the numerous harmful effects on humans as well as the environment, which
can be reduced if people reduce their materialistic lifestyles and embrace alternative energy.
Air pollution in Los Angeles is a massive problem because it hurts the health of humans
and the environment. Air, and thereby the process of breathing, is a basic necessity required of
humans in order to survive. Unfortunately, the lack of clean air is hurting the Earths population.
As stated by Conserve Energy Future, on a national level, it is estimated that 50,000 people die
in America every year because of air pollution (Kukreja). Also, Air pollution in California kills
25,000 people per year (Kukreja). According to State of the Air, a website run by the American
Lung Association, Los Angeles was discovered to be the number one worst city in terms of
ozone pollution, and in the top 5 by year round particle pollution and short term particle
pollution (Most Polluted Cities). Ozone is known to most as the form of oxygen that
constitutes most of our atmosphere, but when this gas is found at lower elevations close to the
ground it becomes a harmful pollutant. It is important to understand the way air pollution affects
nearly everyone. The massive amount of pollution produced by countries like India or China is

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often connected to the smog within the basin of Los Angeles. The health effects of this pollution
are well-documented, ranging from less serious, reversible effects like nausea and coughing to
much more life threatening, irreversible effects like cancer and birth defects. Health risks vary
depending on the types of pollutants and how much an individual is exposed to those pollutants.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has compiled data from regions around the world to
better understand these different substances in air pollution and how they affect humans. For
example, according to the WHO, Ozone (O3) at ground level, produced by the nitrogen oxides
released by vehicles and industry, is now known to cause breathing problems, trigger asthma,
reduce lung function and cause lung diseases (Ambient.Health). Another source of
pollution, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), a gas linked to heating processes in cars or the process of
power generation, has been linked to bronchitis in asthmatic children (Ambient.Health)
and reduced lung function growth (Ambient.Health). Finally, sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a gas
with a distinct, pungent odor produced during the burning of fossil fuels that not only can affect
the respiratory systems including breathing and coughing, but also has been connected to certain
cardiac diseases (Ambient.Health). The environment is struggling to breathe as well. Acid
rain, formed by the combination of sulfur dioxide and water, is known to kills trees and [harm]
animals, fish, and other wildlife (Russell). The ozone layer, which serves as the world's shield
from the suns ultraviolet rays, is also being depleted because of the prevalence of
chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which damage the environment and make humans more likely to
develop cancer (Russell). Finally, global warming has become a more alarming issue because of
the prevalence of greenhouse gases in our environment. Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide
(CO2), are being produced at a higher rate than ever before and plants can not convert this gas
into oxygen fast enough resulting in many adverse effects (Russell). For instance, the ice in the

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poles has begun to melt which has destroyed habitats. Also, oceans have begun to heat up,
resulting in higher sea levels and coral diseases, and also less rainfall, leaving plants and animals
around the globe parched (Russell). Air pollution poses dozens of dangerous consequences to
human health and the environment alike, further showing why air pollution is such a huge
problem in society.
The primary causes of air pollution come as a result of human actions but also some
natural causes. It is fundamentally important to pinpoint specific causes of a problem before a
solution can be sought after. Most of the human-made air pollution can be traced back to three
types of emissions: fossil-fuel emissions, agricultural emissions and waste emissions. Fossil-fuel
emissions come from a variety of sources like the burning of coal, petroleum, and other factory
combustibles (Williams). In fact, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), in terms of total greenhouse gas emissions, 21% comes from industry, 14% from
transportation, and 25% from electricity and heat (Williams). The next culprit comes with a
familiar odor that anyone passing cows on the freeway may be familiar with: methane produced
by cattle. Surprisingly, agriculture accounts for 24% of the annual emission (Williams).
However, this is not strictly because of methane. Part of the reason this number is so high is
because the increase in methane has been coupled with the depletion of forests and pastureland
that would help to remove CO2 from the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in biomass, dead
organic matter and soils (Williams). The last primary source of pollution is waste, specifically
landfills in which large amounts of waste allow gases to fill up. As a result of industrialism and
our increasingly wasteful generation, the buildup of methane, a potentially hazardous and highly
flammable gas, continues to grow as landfills go unmanaged (Williams). Although much of the
blame for air pollution falls on mans shoulders alone, there are some natural sources that can be

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held accountable. The most notable and familiar to Californians is the prevalence of wildfires.
Greenhouse gases are formed in wildfires because of the smoke and carbon monoxide caused
by these fires (Williams). The air pollution that has quietly consumed our world has numerous
causes, both natural and artificial.
Though many feel insignificant in the fight against air pollution, there are many ways
individuals, in Los Angeles and around the world, can come together to stop this ubiquitous filth.
Individuals have many solutions available at their fingertips to stop air pollution. For example,
individuals can alter the way they view and use transport. Transportation is not going away any
time soon because many people rely on some form of long distance transportation in order to
commute or complete daily activities. One alternative is being introduced under the hood: the
often talked about hydrogen fuel cell. This invention has been referred to as the Holy Grail of
fuel technology because the only emission from the cell is water, pure H2O, clean enough to
drink and a far cry from the hydrocarbons, CO2 and oxides produced by the cleanest car today
(Baxter). In short, this hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen gas to then create electricity which is
then converted to mechanical energy into an electric motor to get the car, truck, bus, boat, or
any other form of transport run by an engine moving (Baxter). Many think wow this is a great,
life changing invention, why arent we using this? which is an easy question to answer. This
technology, like many others, is very complex and is not ready to be used on a global, or even
national scale, despite its renowned success. Besides fuel sources, it is also important to alter a
driver's habits and thought processes. Our population continues to increase, as well as the
amount of cars and how far we travel in these cars. Many of these strategies have been
recognized, but are not necessarily utilized to their fullest extent. For example, carpool and
public transportation are great alternatives because of their affordability and reliability.

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Specifically, it is estimated that public transportation, such as buses and subways save about 37
million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually (Baxter). The United States should continue to
develop their fleet of public transportation and attempt to make this transportation look enticing.
Many drive a car because of the freedom that it offers but if people are willing to sacrifice a
little bit of time and energy in their days, they can have a big impact on the Earths health. This is
vital because if an individual switches out their hypothetical, 20 mile commute with a form of
public transportation, their annual CO2 emissions will decrease by about 4,800 pounds per
year (Baxter). Many people are aware of the emissions given off by cars and have begun to use
alternatives like public transportation or even better, the use of non polluting transport like
bicycles or good, old fashioned legs. If a person was to really think about their daily car use
much of it could be mitigated with public transportation, walking, or biking. Public transport
could be used for commuting and walking or biking can be used for other daily tasks like grocery
shopping or other errands. In fact, it is estimated that most errands within about a mile are
comfortable by foot, and anything up to five miles is doable by bike (Baxter). Not to mention,
that the pedal pushing individual gets the added benefit of exercise. Of course this idea may not
be applicable to everybody, but if an individual has the opportunity to switch out their Buick for
a bike or their Lexus for their legs, even once a week, has an opportunity to make a difference.
In addition, reduce, reuse, and recycle, these words, though simple (and catchy), are great
words to live by if one wishes to become more environmentally conscious. Each word holds
significance in the fight for Mother Earth. It is important to reduce because in this consumer
generation, the minimalist lifestyle has disappeared and has been replaced by something
completely opposite. For example, when I analyze my life my family has three cars, two
refrigerators, four televisions, and countless number of shirts, far from what Henry David

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Thoreau or Ralph Waldo Emerson ever imagined. It is also vital to use reusable products like
water bottles or cloth bags to further reduce an individuals environmental impact. Purchasing
recycled products or products made with little packaging put less stress on the environment.
Also, one of the most effective strategies for radical change is the coordinated communication
with local government representatives about the issue of air pollution in our community,
convincing them that this is a problem and explaining the consequences that can happen if action
is not taken. In addition, in recent years there has been an introduction of alternative energy
sources, slowly distancing ourselves away from fossil fuels. Water, which makes up about 70%
of Earths surface area, is one of the most useful resources available. In the past, inventions like
the waterwheel were created in order to [provide] the energy to grind grain into flour (J.S.
Kidd and R. Kidd, 158). Today, dams and the generators in those dams create the hydroelectric
power that accounts for about 8 percent of the electricity generated in the United States (J.S.
Kidd and R. Kidd, 159). Another idea is the use of geothermal power which utilizes steam from
hot springs and geysers to drive electric generators (J.S. Kidd and R. Kidd, 163). This
technology has hard to reach resources and would therefore be hard to rely on for the energy
needs of the global population. Other popular alternatives include the use of wind and solar
power which are widely available but require large amounts of expensive technology in order to
harness them. Regardless, it is vitally important to stay active on these issues rather than reactive,
fighting the problem before the disastrous effects of air pollution are fully realized. If little
changes are made by everybody, this altered lifestyle could also result in big changes for Mother
Earth.
One of the greatest problems of our generation is the pollution of air by human
interference, and therefore humans must work together in order to help reduce these pollutants

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because of the dangerous effects they can have on not only humans themselves, but the
environment as well. Many people do not wish to actively hurt the environment or destroy the
world. Even industry leaders would likely support a sustainable future if they were not making
such large profits. It is understandable in our modern society to choose convenience and profit
over long term, environmental sustainability. My truck that I use to drive to school and around
town is not exactly eco-friendly. A bike could be a better alternative. My family enjoys using air
conditioning on hot summer days and maybe we could use the fan every once in awhile instead.
However, in recent years, our family, city, and country have all joined the fight to reduce air
pollution, learning that sometimes it takes sacrifice to make a change. Our family now has an
abundance of reusable bags, more fans than some can count, and a car that gets over twenty
miles per gallon. It is important that people avoid being narrow sighted on this issue because the
cycle of acting now and fixing later will eventually lead to an unchangeable, disastrous fate. The
current future of Earth remains hazy, but it still has the potential to become bright once again.

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Works Cited
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%2Ffs313%2Fen%2F>.
Baxter, Eric. "10 Possible Transportation Pollution Solutions." HowStuffWorks. InfoSpace LLC,
n.d. Web. 21 May 2016. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/greenscience/10-transportation-pollution-solutions.htm>.
Kidd, J. S., and Renee A. Kidd. Air Pollution: Problems and Solutions. New York: Chelsea
House, 2006. Print.
Kukreja, Rinkesh. "Air Pollution Facts." Conserve Energy Future. N.p., 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 08
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Russell, Randy. "Air Pollution Affects Plants, Animals, and Environments." Windows to the
Universe. National Earth Science Teachers Association, 19 Jan. 2010. Web. 08 May 2016.
<http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/wildlife_forests.html>.
TEDxTalks. "Global Pandemic - Air Pollution." YouTube. Alphabet Inc., 30 Apr. 2015. Web. 08
May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKBVwX8dVhI>.

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Williams, Matt. "What Causes Air Pollution?" Universe Today. Fraser Cain, 13 Apr. 2016. Web.
08 May 2016. <http://www.universetoday.com/81977/causes-of-air-pollution/>.