Air pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere due to the release of toxic substances such as noxious gases and

very tiny particles, usually as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. Such noxious gases include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide. There are many causes of air pollution and most are a result of mans activities. Common sources of air pollution are exhaust from vehicles, industrial plant emissions and deforestation. Research and studies have shown that air pollution leads to detrimental impacts on the environment, such as smog, haze and acid rain, particularly in large urban and industrial centres with a high vehicle population. Various air quality measurements such as the pollutants standards index (PSI) have also been created to ensure safe and acceptable air standards. Much has also been researched and written about the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, melting of ice glaziers and global warming. Indoor air pollution also occurs as a result of people performing up to 90% of their activities indoors. Common causes are smoking, emissions from household appliances and vapours from coolants and paints.Both indoor and outdoor pollution can have adverse health effects. Exposure to air pollutants may lead to short term effects such as reduced visibility, headaches, allergic reactions, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and longer term effects such as breathing difficulties, asthma and various chronic respiratory illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease. In infants and young children, the effects can be far worse as their respiratory defences have not been fully formed, affecting their lung development and breathing capacities.

There are two main types of pollution control. Input control involves preventing a problem before it occurs, or at least limiting the effects the process will produce. Five major input control methods exist. People may try to restrict population growth, use less energy, improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and move to non-polluting renewable forms of energy production. Also, automobile-produced pollution can be decreased with highly beneficial results. Output control, the opposite method, seeks to fix the problems caused by air pollution. This usually means cleaning up an area that has been damaged by pollution. Input controls are usually more effective than output controls. Output controls are also more expensive, making them less desirable to tax payers and polluting industries. Current air pollution control efforts are not all highly effective. In wealthier countries, industries are often able to shift to methods that decrease air pollution. In the United States, for example, air pollution control laws have been successful in stopping air pollution levels from rising. However, in developing countries and even in countries where pollution is strictly regulated, much more needs to be done.