problems of smog essay

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Breathing in Danger: How Smog Impacts Your Health

In today’s fast-paced world, where pollution levels continue to rise at an alarming rate, the air we breathe has become a potential hazard to our health. With cities enveloped in a thick cloud of smog, it’s crucial to understand the impact it can have on our overall well-being. Welcome to the eye-opening article, ‘Breathing in Danger: How Smog Impacts Your Health’.

In this informative piece, we delve into the harmful effects of smog on our bodies, painting a vivid picture of the dangers lurking in the air we inhale. From respiratory problems to increased risk of heart disease, the consequences of prolonged exposure to smog are profound and can affect people of all ages.

But don’t worry, we’re not just here to scare you. We also provide practical solutions and tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of smog. By understanding the causes of smog and implementing simple lifestyle changes, we can all take steps towards cleaner and healthier air.

Breathe in, buckle up, and embark on this journey to uncover the hidden truths about smog and how it impacts your health.

Understanding the composition of smog

Smog , a portmanteau of smoke and fog, is a complex mixture of pollutants that combine and linger in the atmosphere. It primarily consists of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and ozone. These pollutants are emitted from various sources such as vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and fossil fuel combustion. When these pollutants react with sunlight, they form ground-level ozone, which is a major component of smog. The composition of smog can vary depending on the geographical location and prevailing weather conditions.

The formation of smog is most prevalent in urban areas with high population densities and heavy industrial activity. Factors such as temperature inversions, lack of wind, and geographical features can contribute to the accumulation of smog in certain regions. Understanding the composition of smog is crucial to comprehending its harmful effects on our health.

Factors that contribute to smog formation

1. primary pollutants:.

These nasty actors are directly emitted into the air, forming the building blocks of smog:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx):  Spewed out by vehicle exhaust, power plants, and industrial processes, NOx reacts with sunlight and other pollutants to create ozone, a major component of photochemical smog.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs):  Released from vehicle exhaust, paints, solvents, and even household products, VOCs combine with NOx in sunlight to form ozone.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2):  Emitted from burning fossil fuels, particularly coal, SO2 converts into sulfuric acid in the atmosphere, contributing to acid rain and particulate matter formation.
• Particulate matter (PM):  These tiny airborne particles, including soot, dust, and smoke, come from various sources like vehicle exhaust, construction, and industrial activities. They can irritate the lungs and reduce visibility.

2. Secondary Pollutants:

These troublemakers aren’t directly emitted but form through chemical reactions in the atmosphere:

• Ozone (O3):  As mentioned earlier, ozone arises from the photochemical reaction between NOx and VOCs in sunlight. It’s a major irritant and can damage lung tissue.
• Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs):  These organic particles form in the atmosphere from the oxidation of VOCs. They contribute to haze and can also affect human health.

3. Weather Conditions:

Certain weather conditions play a crucial role in smog formation and persistence:

• Sunlight:  Strong sunlight is essential for the photochemical reactions that create ozone and other secondary pollutants. Smog is often worse during hot, sunny days.
• Temperature inversions:  These occur when a warm layer of air traps cooler air and pollutants below, preventing their dispersion. This can lead to concentrated smog episodes.
• Wind speed:  Low wind speeds allow pollutants to accumulate and stagnate, worsening smog conditions.

The Complex Recipe:

Smog formation is a complex interplay between these factors. The specific mix of pollutants, weather conditions, and topography can vary greatly from place to place, leading to different types and severity of smog. Understanding these contributing factors is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat this pervasive environmental and health threat.

By reducing emissions of primary pollutants, mitigating the effects of weather conditions through urban planning and green spaces, and promoting research into cleaner technologies, we can work towards a future with clearer skies and healthier lungs. Remember, even small individual actions like minimizing car use and opting for sustainable products can contribute to a cleaner air future for all. Let’s all be responsible stewards of our atmosphere!

What is London Smog?

When we talk about “London Smog,” we’re not just referring to any old hazy day. We’re talking about a specific, historically significant event – the Great Smog of 1952 . This wasn’t just a period of inconveniently murky skies; it was a five-day environmental disaster that blanketed London in a thick, toxic fog, causing widespread health problems and even death.

Sulfurous smog, also known as “London smog”, is caused by the burning of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, such as coal. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) are emitted into the air, where they react with water vapor and other substances to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and other acidic compounds. Sulfurous smog is characterized by a grayish or brownish color and a pungent odor. It can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and cause respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis and asthma.

A Toxic Cocktail:

The Great Smog wasn’t just regular fog. It was a potent cocktail of pollutants, primarily:

• Smoke:  From coal-burning power plants and domestic fireplaces, filling the air with soot and other harmful particles.
• Sulfur dioxide:  Released from burning coal, forming sulfuric acid in the atmosphere and contributing to acid rain.
• Nitrogen oxides:  Emitted from vehicles and industrial processes, reacting with sunlight to create ozone, a major irritant.

Weather Woes:

These pollutants wouldn’t have been so problematic if not for the weather conditions. A high-pressure system settled over London, trapping the pollutants close to the ground and preventing them from dispersing. This created a temperature inversion , where a layer of warm air above held down the cooler, polluted air below, like a lid on a pot.

The Devastating Impact:

The consequences of the Great Smog were severe:

• Thousands of deaths:  Estimates range from 4,000 to 12,000 excess deaths attributed to the smog, primarily from respiratory problems like pneumonia and bronchitis.
• Widespread health problems:  Many more people suffered from respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and other health issues.
• Transportation chaos:  Visibility dropped to near zero, causing accidents and disruption to public transportation.

A Turning Point:

The Great Smog was a wake-up call for London and the world. It highlighted the dangers of air pollution and spurred action to improve air quality. The Clean Air Act of 1956 was a direct result of the smog, introducing regulations on coal burning and industrial emissions.

Lessons Learned:

The Great Smog of 1952 serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of air pollution and the importance of taking action to protect public health. While London’s air quality has improved significantly since then, the city and the world still face challenges from air pollution. The lessons learned from the Great Smog continue to be relevant today as we strive for cleaner air and a healthier future.

• The Great Smog of 1952 was a devastating environmental event that caused thousands of deaths and widespread health problems.
• The smog was caused by a combination of air pollution and weather conditions.
• The event led to stricter regulations on air pollution and improved air quality in London.
• The lessons learned from the Great Smog are still relevant today as we work to combat air pollution around the world.

What is Los Angeles smog?

Unlike the sulfurous smog of London, Los Angeles smog is a different beast altogether. It’s a type of photochemical smog , also known as smog or oxidant smog , characterized by its brownish haze and pungent odor.

Photochemical smog, also known as “Los Angeles smog”, is caused by the reaction of NOx and VOCs in the presence of sunlight. NOx are produced by high-temperature combustion processes, such as in vehicles and power plants. VOCs are organic compounds that evaporate easily, such as gasoline, paints, pesticides, and solvents. When NOx and VOCs are exposed to sunlight, they form ozone (O3) and other oxidants, such as peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and nitric acid (HNO3).

Ozone is a highly reactive gas that can damage living tissues and materials. Photochemical smog is characterized by a yellowish or brownish color and a sharp odor. It can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, inflammation of the airways, and aggravation of asthma and other chronic lung diseases. Here’s a deeper dive into this environmental phenomenon:

Ingredients:

The key players in Los Angeles smog are:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx):  Released from vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, NOx reacts with sunlight and other pollutants to form ozone, a major component of photochemical smog.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs):  Emitted from vehicle exhaust, paints, solvents, and even household products, VOCs combine with NOx in sunlight to form ozone and other secondary pollutants.
• Sunlight:  Strong sunlight is essential for the photochemical reactions that create ozone and other secondary pollutants. Los Angeles’ sunny climate creates the ideal conditions for smog formation.

Unlike London smog, which results from directly emitted coal-burning pollutants, Los Angeles smog forms through complex chemical reactions in the atmosphere. These reactions require sunlight, making smog worse during hot, sunny days.

Contributing Factors:

• Vehicle emissions:  Los Angeles is a car-dependent city, and exhaust fumes are a major source of NOx and VOCs, the key ingredients for smog formation.
• Industrial emissions:  Some industries also contribute to smog by emitting pollutants like NOx and VOCs.
• Geography:  The city’s basin surrounded by mountains can trap pollutants, preventing them from dispersing and worsening smog episodes.

Health Effects:

Los Angeles smog can have various negative health impacts, including:

• Respiratory problems:  Irritation, coughing, wheezing, and worsening of existing respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
• Cardiovascular problems:  Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Eye irritation:  Redness, burning, and watering of the eyes.
• Long-term health risks:  Increased risk of developing chronic lung diseases, cancer, and other health problems.

History and Challenges:

Los Angeles has a long history with smog, with some of the worst episodes occurring in the 1950s and 1960s. However, significant progress has been made through stricter regulations on vehicle emissions and industrial processes. Despite these improvements, smog remains a persistent challenge in the region, and further efforts are needed to achieve clean air standards.

Comparison to London Smog:

• Composition:  London Smog is primarily sulfurous, while Los Angeles smog is photochemical.
• Cause:  London Smog arises from direct coal burning, while Los Angeles smog forms through sunlight-driven chemical reactions.
• Visibility:  London Smog causes dense, dark fog, while Los Angeles smog typically creates a brownish haze.
• Health Effects:  Both types of smog are harmful, but Los Angeles smog mainly affects the respiratory system, while London Smog also had significant cardiovascular impacts.

The Fight for Clean Air:

The story of Los Angeles smog is a testament to the effectiveness of environmental regulations and technological advancements in reducing air pollution. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenges and continued need for vigilance and further action to ensure clean air for all.

Combating Los Angeles Smog:

Efforts to reduce Los Angeles smog have included:

• Stricter emission regulations:  Limiting NOx and VOC emissions from vehicles and industries.
• Promoting alternative fuels:  Encouraging the use of electric vehicles and other clean transportation options.
• Improving public transportation:  Making public transportation more accessible and efficient to reduce car use.
• Urban planning:  Incorporating green spaces and promoting walkable communities to improve air quality.
• Investing in renewable energy:  Transitioning away from fossil fuels can also help to decrease air pollution and combat smog.

Despite these efforts, Los Angeles smog remains a challenge. However, ongoing research and development of new technologies offer hope for further improvement in air quality and a healthier future for the city.

Health effects of smog exposure

Prolonged exposure to smog can have severe health implications. The respiratory system is particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of smog. When we breathe in polluted air, the harmful pollutants present in smog can penetrate deep into our lungs, causing inflammation and irritation. This can lead to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are especially susceptible to exacerbations triggered by smog.

Apart from respiratory problems, smog can also have a detrimental impact on cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that exposure to smog can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. The fine particles present in smog can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation, leading to the formation of plaques in the arteries. This, in turn, can restrict blood flow and contribute to the development of cardiovascular conditions.

Smog and respiratory health

The respiratory system is directly affected by the pollutants present in smog. When inhaled, these pollutants irritate the airways and can cause inflammation, leading to various respiratory symptoms. The fine particulate matter present in smog can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause damage to the delicate tissues. This can impair lung function and decrease the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Long-term exposure to smog has been linked to the development of respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and even lung cancer. The toxic substances present in smog can cause irreversible damage to the respiratory system, increasing the risk of chronic respiratory diseases. Children and the elderly, with their still-developing or weakened respiratory systems, are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of smog on respiratory health.

• Immediate Effects: Smog irritates the airways, causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can worsen existing respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis, leading to attacks and increased use of medication.
• Long-Term Effects: Chronic exposure to smog can lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung damage, and even lung cancer. The tiny particles in smog can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring.

Smog and cardiovascular health

• Immediate Effects: Smog can increase blood pressure and heart rate, putting additional strain on the cardiovascular system. It can also trigger arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and increase the risk of blood clots.
• Long-Term Effects: Chronic exposure to smog is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. The inflammation caused by smog can damage blood vessels and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries).

Smog and the impact on children’s health

• Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of smog because their lungs are still developing. Exposure can lead to reduced lung function, increased respiratory infections, and even developmental delays.
• Pregnant women exposed to smog are more likely to deliver babies with low birth weight, which can have long-term health consequences.
• The severity of the health effects of smog depends on several factors, including the concentration of pollutants, duration of exposure, and individual vulnerability.
• People with pre-existing health conditions are at an increased risk of experiencing severe health effects from smog.

Pre-existing conditions that are worsened by smog

For individuals already living with certain health conditions, smog can worsen their symptoms and overall well-being. Conditions such as asthma, COPD, and allergies can be significantly aggravated by exposure to smog. The already compromised respiratory systems of these individuals are further strained by the presence of pollutants in the air they breathe. This can lead to more frequent and severe asthma attacks, increased respiratory distress, and heightened allergic reactions.

Moreover, individuals with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, are also at a higher risk when exposed to smog. The inflammatory response triggered by smog can further strain their cardiovascular system, potentially leading to life-threatening complications. It is crucial for individuals with pre-existing conditions to take extra precautions and minimize exposure to smog to maintain their health and well-being.

Other health complications caused by smog

Aside from respiratory and cardiovascular health, smog has been associated with a range of other health complications. Studies have linked smog exposure to an increased risk of low birth weight in newborns, premature births, and developmental issues in children. The pollutants present in smog can cross the placental barrier and affect the developing fetus, leading to long-lasting health implications.

Additionally, smog has been linked to neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and cognitive decline. The fine particles in smog can enter the brain through the olfactory nerves and cause inflammation and oxidative stress, contributing to the development of these conditions. Furthermore, smog has also been linked to eye irritation, skin problems, and compromised immune function.

Smog can also affect the environment by reducing visibility, damaging crops and vegetation, acidifying soils and waters, and contributing to climate change. Smog can reduce visibility by scattering and absorbing light, which can impair traffic safety and affect tourism and recreation. Smog can damage crops and vegetation by reducing photosynthesis, impairing growth, increasing susceptibility to pests and diseases, and causing leaf injury and premature senescence. Smog can acidify soils and waters by depositing acidic compounds, which can leach nutrients, lower pH, increase metal solubility, and harm aquatic life. Smog can contribute to climate change by altering the radiative balance of the atmosphere, either by reflecting or absorbing solar radiation (cooling effect) or by trapping infrared radiation (warming effect).

Promoting awareness and taking action against smog pollution

Smog, that murky shroud enveloping our cities, isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a serious threat to our health and the environment. But fear not! By raising awareness and taking action, we can breathe easier and build a cleaner future for everyone.

Unmasking the Villain:  Educational campaigns using impactful visuals like infographics and photos depicting the harmful effects of smog on lungs, children, and even iconic landmarks can grab attention and drive home the urgency of action.

Empowering the Public:  Interactive workshops and educational resources can equip individuals with knowledge about air quality monitoring, the sources of smog, and simple lifestyle changes they can make to minimize their contribution.

Harnessing the Power of Media:  Partnering with news outlets, social media influencers, and artists can amplify the message about smog pollution and reach diverse audiences through creative storytelling and engaging content.

Policy Push:  Advocating for stricter emission regulations for industries and vehicles, promoting investment in renewable energy sources, and supporting policies that prioritize sustainable urban planning can create a systemic shift towards cleaner air.

Community Champions:  Empowering local communities to plant trees, create green spaces, and organize car-free days can foster a sense of ownership and collective action against smog pollution.

Individual Choices:  Choosing public transportation, cycling, walking, and carpooling whenever possible, opting for energy-efficient appliances, and minimizing the use of personal vehicles can significantly reduce individual carbon footprints and contribute to cleaner air.

Additional tips:

• Organize smog-free events, encouraging people to participate in outdoor activities when air quality is good.
• Partner with businesses and organizations to promote clean air initiatives and responsible practices.
• Support research and development of innovative solutions for smog mitigation and air pollution control.
• Celebrate successes and milestones in the fight against smog pollution to maintain momentum and inspire continued action.

Together, we can create a world where clear skies and clean air are not just a dream, but a reality for all.

Tips for protecting yourself from smog

While it may seem challenging to escape the clutches of smog, there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from its harmful effects. Here are some tips to help you minimize your exposure to smog:

• Stay informed about the air quality in your area by regularly checking air quality indexes and pollution forecasts. This will allow you to plan outdoor activities accordingly.
• Avoid outdoor activities during periods of high smog levels, especially during hot and sunny days when smog formation is at its peak. If you must be outside, try to do so early in the morning or late in the evening when pollution levels are generally lower.
• Create a clean indoor environment by keeping doors and windows closed, especially during peak smog periods. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove pollutants from the indoor air.
• Open windows and doors briefly during periods of low air pollution to let fresh air in.
• When traveling, choose routes that avoid heavily polluted areas or times when smog levels are high.
• When the air quality is bad, choose low-impact indoor exercises like yoga or swimming.
• Drinking plenty of water helps flush toxins out of your body.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support your body’s natural defenses.
• Wear a mask, preferably one with a high-filtration efficiency, when venturing outdoors in areas with high smog levels. This can help filter out a significant portion of the pollutants present in the air.
• Support and participate in initiatives aimed at reducing smog levels, such as carpooling, using public transportation, and advocating for stricter emission regulations

Bonus Tip: Plants can be your natural air purifiers! Adding some indoor plants like snake plants, peace lilies, and spider plants can help improve air quality.

Remember, every small step counts. By implementing these tips, you can reduce your exposure to smog and protect your health and the health of those around you.

Government initiatives to reduce smog levels

Governments around the world have recognized the severity of the smog problem and have taken steps to reduce its impact on public health. These initiatives vary from country to country but generally involve stricter emission regulations, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing air quality monitoring systems.

Emission standards: Setting stricter limits on emissions from vehicles, industries, and power plants is a crucial step. Many countries are phasing out older, dirtier vehicles and promoting cleaner fuels like electric cars.

Air quality monitoring:  Continuously monitoring air quality levels helps identify pollution hotspots and track progress in reducing smog. Sophisticated monitoring systems provide real-time data to the public and policymakers. Air quality monitoring systems have also been established to provide real-time information on pollution levels. Its integration with artificial intelligence can allow authorities to issue timely warnings and advisories, enabling individuals to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from smog.

Promoting public transportation:  For instance, some countries have introduced emissions standards for vehicles, requiring them to meet certain pollution control criteria. Encouraging people to use buses, trains, and bicycles instead of cars reduces traffic congestion and emissions.  Additionally, investments in public transportation infrastructure and incentives for using eco-friendly modes of transport have been implemented to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Investing in renewable energy: The promotion of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, aims to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, which are major contributors to smog formation. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal power significantly reduces air pollution. Many countries are setting ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment.

Promoting green spaces:  Planting trees and creating parks in cities helps trap pollutants and improve air quality. Urban greening initiatives are becoming increasingly popular around the world.

Smart city planning:  Designing cities with walkable streets, bike lanes, and mixed-use developments can encourage people to get around without cars, reducing emissions.

Transboundary agreements:  Addressing air pollution effectively often requires collaboration between countries, as smog can travel long distances. International agreements like the Transboundary Air Pollution Protocols under the UNECE Air Convention help tackle regional air pollution problems.

Challenges and the Road Ahead:

Reducing smog is a complex challenge that requires sustained effort from governments, businesses, and individuals. Challenges include:

• Economic considerations:  Transitioning to cleaner technologies and infrastructure can be expensive.
• Political will:  Implementing effective policies often requires overcoming resistance from vested interests.
• Public awareness:  Raising public awareness about the dangers of smog and encouraging behavioral changes is crucial.

Despite these challenges, there is growing momentum behind the fight against smog. As public awareness increases and the economic and health benefits of clean air become more evident, we can expect to see even more ambitious and effective initiatives emerge in the years to come.

Remember, everyone can play a role in reducing smog by making conscious choices like opting for public transportation, minimizing car use, and supporting clean air policies. Together, we can create a cleaner future for ourselves and future generations.

The role of individuals in reducing smog pollution

While government initiatives play a crucial role in combating smog pollution, individuals also have a responsibility to contribute to the solution. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Opt for eco-friendly modes of transportation whenever possible. Use public transportation, carpool, cycle, or walk for shorter distances. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, you can help decrease smog levels.
• Conserve energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Use energy-efficient appliances, turn off lights when not in use, and unplug electronics when they’re not being used. Small actions like these can have a big impact on reducing smog-forming emissions.
• Support and advocate for clean energy sources. Encourage the use of renewable energy in your community and promote the adoption of sustainable practices.
• Plant trees and create green spaces. Trees act as natural air filters, absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. By planting trees and supporting urban greening initiatives, you can contribute to cleaner air.
• Educate others about the harmful effects of smog and the importance of taking action. Share information on social media, participate in community events, and engage in discussions about air pollution.

Remember, every effort counts, and together, we can make a significant impact in reducing smog pollution and improving the air we breathe.

Conclusion: Taking action against smog for a healthier future

Breathing in danger is not a choice we should have to make. Smog, with its harmful composition of pollutants, poses a significant threat to our health and well-being. The consequences of prolonged exposure to smog range from respiratory problems to cardiovascular diseases and even neurological disorders. It’s crucial to understand the impact of smog on our bodies and take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

By staying informed, implementing practical tips, and supporting government initiatives, we can reduce our exposure to smog and contribute to cleaner air. Additionally, individual efforts, such as opting for eco-friendly transportation and promoting clean energy sources, can collectively make a significant difference in reducing smog pollution.

Let’s take action today for a healthier future. Together, we can breathe in clean, fresh air and safeguard our health for generations to come.

https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/air_pollution.htm

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Essay: From fires to pollution, smog has been California’s dark companion for centuries

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When I close my eyes and think about that day in the late 1970s, I’m struck by the colors. The bright red of my favorite shirt. The silvery gray of smog sifting through the trees. The leaves, bleached by chemicals in the air, were soft-edged blobs of an indiscriminate dark hue.

I was in college and I’d driven from Northridge to Pasadena to visit the Norton Simon Museum. I don’t remember the paintings. What I do remember is the air pollution, thick and viscous.

It is hard not to think about smog during this terrible mid-September. California is on fire, millions of acres torched, tens of thousands of people evacuated. The pall of smoke from Northern California’s flames has been visible from space.

The sky is an orangey tan in the San Gabriel Valley, cement gray-brown even at the beach. Mountains have vanished behind the haze. It’s like a memo from Southern California’s past, a dire reminder of the bad old days when smoke-belching cars rolled through the streets, unchastened, when City Hall was regularly obscured and we’d yet to figure out what made our eyes sting and our lungs burn.

The air was so bad this weekend that eight Los Angeles County parks were closed, and “reopening is contingent on air quality and safety measures.”

The smoke forced a handful of county-run coronavirus test sites to close, one assault on our lungs making it harder for us to monitor another.

The Los Angeles Basin has a long, dark relationship with smog. In 1542, explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo christened San Pedro Bay “La Bahia de los Fumos” — the Bay of Smokes — because of the persistent, ground-hugging smoke from fires set by members of the Gabrielino-Tongva tribe as they hunted game on the hillsides.

There have been so many milestones since.

In 1901, a particularly bad-air day was mistaken for an eclipse of the sun.

In July 1943, thick, persistent smog in downtown Los Angeles shrank visibility to just three blocks. That episode kicks off “Smogtown: The Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles.” As authors Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly noted in the 2008 work, “though nobody realized it then, the mystery cloudbank would rattle the planet — making ‘green’ a cause, not just a color — but first there was the suffering, a city full of it.”

And on Sept. 13, 1955, this car-loving sprawl of a city experienced the smoggiest day in its history, one that has not been equaled since. The ozone level in downtown L.A. was a lung-damaging 0.68 parts per million. In contrast, this Labor Day weekend was the worst air day in a generation; the ozone level spiked at just 185 parts per billion.

Sunday was the 65th anniversary of that smoggiest day ever, a reminder that, although there is much work to be done to make Southern California’s air more breathable, we still have come a long way.

If you celebrated by looking out the window, however, chances are you saw ... not very far.

On Saturday, Mary Nichols put off taking her dog for a morning walk. She lives in the Mid-Wilshire area, and by late afternoon, she said, it hurt to breathe. We are inhaling everything that burned, and it’s not just trees and brush.

“It’s also houses and commercial buildings and other things that were in [the fires’ path],” she said. “It’s undoubtedly got some unhealthy things in addition to just plain old carbon soot. ... There’s going to be chemicals from burning tires, burning plastics, all of which are more seriously harmful to health.”

Nichols knows her smog and how air quality in the Golden State has improved through the decades. She is chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, first appointed to the job by then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 1975. She has served in the same position on and off since, under Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brown again and, now, Gavin Newsom.

Nichols took her first trip to Los Angeles in 1969 when she was a student at Yale Law School. She and classmate arrived in the city in late afternoon.

“I remember descending into the basin, driving west toward Sunset Boulevard and being astonished by the peculiar color of the air,” she told The Times in an early profile. “It was a kind of flaming orange — not a natural color, but a peculiar, day-glo, chemical kind of orange.”

Today, she has other sensory memories of when breathing in Los Angeles was a regular assault on the lungs.

“I have a more vivid memory of the smell of the air, especially around LAX,” she said in an interview Saturday. “There were chemicals in use in those days that are no longer in use. ... You had both the ugly gray sky and the smell of the air.”

Nichols filed what is often described as the first lawsuit under the federal Clean Air Act, suing the state of California to force then-Gov. Ronald Reagan to meet the requirements of the federal Environmental Protection Agency. She won, but found out that making governments change is slow, hard work.

The single biggest step toward improving air quality, she said, was requiring catalytic converters on all new cars. California pushed oil companies to formulate unleaded gasoline for use in the state. The federal government followed later. Another major improvement was requiring power plants to shift from oil to natural gas, she said; they have since become cleaner still.

For all the gains, however, improvements have plateaued in recent years, and pollution levels have begun to creep back up. One thing that worries air pollution attorney Adrian Martinez is that people often measure our progress against the smoggiest days of the 20th century. And that gives a false sense of accomplishment.

“We’re not going back to the levels of the ’60s and ’70s, but if your strategy is to make it safe to breathe, we need dramatic reductions in pollution,” said Martinez, who is a staff attorney with the environmental group Earthjustice and tweets as @LASmogGuy.

That means, he said, “we need to go to zero emissions,” and not just with cars, but also with more serious polluters such as ships and trains. He does, however, see some hope. As a country we’re talking more about environmental justice, about the need to clean the air where poorer people live, too, in neighborhoods crisscrossed by a lattice of freeways coursing with the exhaust of interminable traffic.

There may be an odd upside to our current gray skies.

“If being in the pollution makes us realize how harmful it actually is, it could give us the impetus to solve this air pollution problem,” Martinez said. “Lots of lives will be saved. That’s the big thing. Air pollution is literally a life-or-death issue. ... It’s a shame it took these fires and pandemic, but hopefully we can shift how we operate.”

My family moved from central New Jersey to Southern California in February 1969, Cranbury Township to the San Fernando Valley. I was a chubby, lost 9-year-old, a smog-earthquake-wildfire novice.

Growing up in Granada Hills and Northridge, I remember seeing the nearby foothills for the first time on a rare, clear day. They were craggy, beautiful and so close. They’d been hidden behind a mantle of smog. I was stunned.

During my first fire season, I stood on our front lawn on Rinaldi Street, mid afternoon, dark as night. Ash like fat snowflakes sifted down. Evacuees drove by, their cars filled with belongings snatched in panic.

I vowed that, if God spared us, I would enter the convent.

We were fine.

And now, as the worst fire season in California history rages on, I am parked at the western end of Rose Avenue in Venice, a block or so from the scruffy apartment building where I lived in the mid-1980s.

It is Saturday, 8:45 a.m. The ocean is a slender, dark gray stripe, the horizon a mere suggestion. Malibu has disappeared, ditto the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The sun is a hazy, salmon-colored disc. My eyes sting.

Looking east, there is nothing beyond Pacific Avenue.

You need memory to believe the San Gabriel Mountains still rise somewhere in the distance.

And faith to believe you will see them again.

In California, in 2020, the first one is easy.

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Maria L. La Ganga is the deputy managing editor for California and Metro, overseeing the Los Angeles Times’ largest editorial department. She joined The Times in 1981 as an academic intern, splitting her time between the former Metro section and National Dragster, the official publication of the National Hot Rod Assn. She has served as Seattle bureau chief, San Francisco bureau chief, edited in the Business section and pitched in on six presidential elections, five for The Times and one for the Guardian. La Ganga left The Times in 2015 and returned in 2018 after a brief hiatus during which she wrote for the Guardian and the Idaho Statesman. She was named city editor in 2022 and promoted to her current role in 2024. La Ganga graduated from Granada Hills High School in the San Fernando Valley and Cal State Northridge, where she studied English literature and journalism.

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The Causes and Effects of Smog

Larry West is an award-winning environmental journalist and writer. He won the Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting.

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Smog is a mixture of air pollutants— nitrogen oxides  and volatile organic compounds —that combine with sunlight to form ozone.

Ozone can be beneficial or harmful depending on its location. Ozone in the stratosphere, high above the Earth, acts as a barrier that protects humans and the environment from excessive amounts of solar ultraviolet radiation. This is the "good kind" of ozone.

On the other hand, ground-level ozone, trapped near the ground by heat inversions or other weather conditions, is what causes the respiratory distress and burning eyes associated with smog.

How Did Smog Get Its Name?

The term "smog" was first used in London during the early 1900s to describe the combination of smoke and fog that often blanketed the city. According to several sources, the term was first coined by Dr. Henry Antoine des Voeux in his paper, “Fog and Smoke,” which he presented at a meeting of the Public Health Congress in July 1905.

The type of smog described by Dr. des Voeux was a combination of smoke and sulfur dioxide, which resulted from the heavy use of coal to heat homes and businesses and to run factories in Victorian England.

When we talk about smog today, we’re referring to a more complex mixture of various air pollutants —nitrogen oxides and other chemical compounds—that interact with sunlight to form ground-level ozone that hangs like a heavy haze over many cities in industrialized countries.

What Causes Smog?

Smog is produced by a set of complex photochemical reactions involving volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides and sunlight, which form ground-level ozone.

Smog-forming pollutants come from many sources such as automobile exhaust, power plants, factories, and many consumer products, including paint, hairspray, charcoal starter fluid, chemical solvents, and foam plastic products like a disposable cups.

In typical urban areas, at least half of the smog precursors come from cars, buses, trucks, and boats.

Major smog occurrences often are linked to heavy motor vehicle traffic, high temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds. Weather and geography affect the location and severity of smog. Because temperature regulates the length of time it takes for smog to form, smog can occur more quickly and be more severe on a hot, sunny day.

When temperature inversions occur (that is, when warm air stays near the ground instead of rising) and the wind is calm, smog may remain trapped over a city for days. As traffic and other sources add more pollutants to the air, the smog gets worse. This situation occurs frequently in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ironically, smog is often more severe farther away from the sources of pollution, because the chemical reactions that cause smog take place in the atmosphere while pollutants are drifting on the wind.

Where Does Smog Occur?

Severe smog and ground-level ozone problems exist in many major cities around the world, from Mexico City to Beijing. In the United States, smog affects much of California, from San Francisco to San Diego, the mid-Atlantic seaboard from Washington, DC, to southern Maine, and major cities in the South and Midwest.

To varying degrees, the majority of U.S. cities with populations of 250,000 or more have experienced problems with smog and ground-level ozone.

According to the American Lung Association, nearly half of all U.S. residents live in areas where the smog is so bad that pollution levels routinely exceed safety standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What Are the Effects of Smog?

Smog is made up of a combination of air pollutants that can compromise human health, harm the environment, and even cause property damage.

Smog can cause or aggravate health problems such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems as well as eye irritation and reduced resistance to colds and lung infections.

The ozone in smog also inhibits plant growth and can cause widespread damage to crops and forests.

How Can You Recognize or Detect Smog Where You Live? 

Generally speaking, you will know smog when you see it. Smog is a visible form of air pollution that often appears as a thick haze. Look toward the horizon during daylight hours, and you can see how much smog is in the air. High concentrations of nitrogen oxides will often give the air a brownish tint.

In addition, most cities now measure the concentration of pollutants in the air and provide public reports—often published in newspapers and broadcast on local radio and television stations—when smog reaches potentially unsafe levels.

The EPA has developed the  Air Quality Index  (AQI) (formerly known as the Pollutant Standards Index) for reporting concentrations of ground-level ozone and other common air pollutants.

Air quality is measured by a nationwide monitoring system that records concentrations of ground-level ozone and several other air pollutants at more than a thousand locations across the United States. The EPA then interprets that data according to the standard AQI index, which ranges from zero to 500. The higher the AQI value for a specific pollutant, the greater the danger to public health and the environment.

“ Ozone Alerts .” National Institutes of Health.

Fowler, David, et al. “ A Chronology of Global Air Quality .”  Phil Trans R Soc A, vol. 378, no. 2183, 2020, p. 20190314., doi:10.1098/rsta.2019.0314

Möller, Detlev. History, Change and Sustainability . Berlin, De Gruyter, 2020.

Maynard, Robert L., and Vyvyan Howard, editors. Particulate Matter: Properties and Effects on Health . Taylor and Francis, 2020.

“ Ground-Level Ozone Basics .” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .

“ The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act .” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2015.

" Facilities Development Manual ." Wisconsin Department of Transportation . 2019.

“ Temperature Inversions Impact Air Quality .” Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

“ Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011 .” Environment American Research & Policy Center . September 2011.

“ Nearly Half of U.S. Breathing Unhealthy Air; Record-breaking Air Pollution in Nine Western Cities .” American Lung Association . Published April 21, 2020.

“ AQI Toolkit for Teachers .” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards . Published September 2013.

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Air pollution.

Air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. It also damages buildings.

Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, Geography

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Air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. It also damages buildings. Pollutants in the air take many forms. They can be gases , solid particles, or liquid droplets. Sources of Air Pollution Pollution enters the Earth's atmosphere in many different ways. Most air pollution is created by people, taking the form of emissions from factories, cars, planes, or aerosol cans . Second-hand cigarette smoke is also considered air pollution. These man-made sources of pollution are called anthropogenic sources . Some types of air pollution, such as smoke from wildfires or ash from volcanoes , occur naturally. These are called natural sources . Air pollution is most common in large cities where emissions from many different sources are concentrated . Sometimes, mountains or tall buildings prevent air pollution from spreading out. This air pollution often appears as a cloud making the air murky. It is called smog . The word "smog" comes from combining the words "smoke" and " fog ." Large cities in poor and developing nations tend to have more air pollution than cities in developed nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , some of the worlds most polluted cities are Karachi, Pakistan; New Delhi, India; Beijing, China; Lima, Peru; and Cairo, Egypt. However, many developed nations also have air pollution problems. Los Angeles, California, is nicknamed Smog City. Indoor Air Pollution Air pollution is usually thought of as smoke from large factories or exhaust from vehicles. But there are many types of indoor air pollution as well. Heating a house by burning substances such as kerosene , wood, and coal can contaminate the air inside the house. Ash and smoke make breathing difficult, and they can stick to walls, food, and clothing. Naturally-occurring radon gas, a cancer -causing material, can also build up in homes. Radon is released through the surface of the Earth. Inexpensive systems installed by professionals can reduce radon levels. Some construction materials, including insulation , are also dangerous to people's health. In addition, ventilation , or air movement, in homes and rooms can lead to the spread of toxic mold . A single colony of mold may exist in a damp, cool place in a house, such as between walls. The mold's spores enter the air and spread throughout the house. People can become sick from breathing in the spores. Effects On Humans People experience a wide range of health effects from being exposed to air pollution. Effects can be broken down into short-term effects and long-term effects . Short-term effects, which are temporary , include illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis . They also include discomfort such as irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, or skin. Air pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea . Bad smells made by factories, garbage , or sewer systems are considered air pollution, too. These odors are less serious but still unpleasant . Long-term effects of air pollution can last for years or for an entire lifetime. They can even lead to a person's death. Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease , lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema . Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people's nerves , brain, kidneys , liver , and other organs. Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defects . Nearly 2.5 million people die worldwide each year from the effects of outdoor or indoor air pollution. People react differently to different types of air pollution. Young children and older adults, whose immune systems tend to be weaker, are often more sensitive to pollution. Conditions such as asthma , heart disease, and lung disease can be made worse by exposure to air pollution. The length of exposure and amount and type of pollutants are also factors. Effects On The Environment Like people, animals, and plants, entire ecosystems can suffer effects from air pollution. Haze , like smog, is a visible type of air pollution that obscures shapes and colors. Hazy air pollution can even muffle sounds. Air pollution particles eventually fall back to Earth. Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil . This can kill crops or reduce their yield . It can kill young trees and other plants. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles in the air, can create acid rain when they mix with water and oxygen in the atmosphere. These air pollutants come mostly from coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles . When acid rain falls to Earth, it damages plants by changing soil composition ; degrades water quality in rivers, lakes and streams; damages crops; and can cause buildings and monuments to decay . Like humans, animals can suffer health effects from exposure to air pollution. Birth defects, diseases, and lower reproductive rates have all been attributed to air pollution. Global Warming Global warming is an environmental phenomenon caused by natural and anthropogenic air pollution. It refers to rising air and ocean temperatures around the world. This temperature rise is at least partially caused by an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat energy in the Earths atmosphere. (Usually, more of Earths heat escapes into space.) Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has had the biggest effect on global warming. Carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels (coal, gasoline , and natural gas ). Humans have come to rely on fossil fuels to power cars and planes, heat homes, and run factories. Doing these things pollutes the air with carbon dioxide. Other greenhouse gases emitted by natural and artificial sources also include methane , nitrous oxide , and fluorinated gases. Methane is a major emission from coal plants and agricultural processes. Nitrous oxide is a common emission from industrial factories, agriculture, and the burning of fossil fuels in cars. Fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons , are emitted by industry. Fluorinated gases are often used instead of gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have been outlawed in many places because they deplete the ozone layer . Worldwide, many countries have taken steps to reduce or limit greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming. The Kyoto Protocol , first adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, is an agreement between 183 countries that they will work to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. The United States has not signed that treaty . Regulation In addition to the international Kyoto Protocol, most developed nations have adopted laws to regulate emissions and reduce air pollution. In the United States, debate is under way about a system called cap and trade to limit emissions. This system would cap, or place a limit, on the amount of pollution a company is allowed. Companies that exceeded their cap would have to pay. Companies that polluted less than their cap could trade or sell their remaining pollution allowance to other companies. Cap and trade would essentially pay companies to limit pollution. In 2006 the World Health Organization issued new Air Quality Guidelines. The WHOs guidelines are tougher than most individual countries existing guidelines. The WHO guidelines aim to reduce air pollution-related deaths by 15 percent a year. Reduction Anybody can take steps to reduce air pollution. Millions of people every day make simple changes in their lives to do this. Taking public transportation instead of driving a car, or riding a bike instead of traveling in carbon dioxide-emitting vehicles are a couple of ways to reduce air pollution. Avoiding aerosol cans, recycling yard trimmings instead of burning them, and not smoking cigarettes are others.

Downwinders The United States conducted tests of nuclear weapons at the Nevada Test Site in southern Nevada in the 1950s. These tests sent invisible radioactive particles into the atmosphere. These air pollution particles traveled with wind currents, eventually falling to Earth, sometimes hundreds of miles away in states including Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and Washington. These areas were considered to be "downwind" from the Nevada Test Site. Decades later, people living in those downwind areascalled "downwinders"began developing cancer at above-normal rates. In 1990, the U.S. government passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. This law entitles some downwinders to payments of $50,000.

Greenhouse Gases There are five major greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere.

• water vapor
• carbon dioxide
• nitrous oxide

London Smog What has come to be known as the London Smog of 1952, or the Great Smog of 1952, was a four-day incident that sickened 100,000 people and caused as many as 12,000 deaths. Very cold weather in December 1952 led residents of London, England, to burn more coal to keep warm. Smoke and other pollutants became trapped by a thick fog that settled over the city. The polluted fog became so thick that people could only see a few meters in front of them.

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Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know

How smog, soot, greenhouse gases, and other top air pollutants are affecting the planet—and your health.

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What is air pollution?

What causes air pollution, effects of air pollution, air pollution in the united states, air pollution and environmental justice, controlling air pollution, how to help reduce air pollution, how to protect your health.

Air pollution  refers to the release of pollutants into the air—pollutants that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. According to the  World Health Organization (WHO) , each year, indoor and outdoor air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths around the globe. Ninety-nine percent of human beings currently breathe air that exceeds the WHO’s guideline limits for pollutants, with those living in low- and middle-income countries suffering the most. In the United States, the  Clean Air Act , established in 1970, authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard public health by regulating the emissions of these harmful air pollutants.

“Most air pollution comes from energy use and production,” says  John Walke , director of the Clean Air team at NRDC. Driving a car on gasoline, heating a home with oil, running a power plant on  fracked gas : In each case, a fossil fuel is burned and harmful chemicals and gases are released into the air.

“We’ve made progress over the last 50 years in improving air quality in the United States, thanks to the Clean Air Act. But climate change will make it harder in the future to meet pollution standards, which are designed to  protect health ,” says Walke.

Air pollution is now the world’s fourth-largest risk factor for early death. According to the 2020  State of Global Air  report —which summarizes the latest scientific understanding of air pollution around the world—4.5 million deaths were linked to outdoor air pollution exposures in 2019, and another 2.2 million deaths were caused by indoor air pollution. The world’s most populous countries, China and India, continue to bear the highest burdens of disease.

“Despite improvements in reducing global average mortality rates from air pollution, this report also serves as a sobering reminder that the climate crisis threatens to worsen air pollution problems significantly,” explains  Vijay Limaye , senior scientist in NRDC’s Science Office. Smog, for instance, is intensified by increased heat, forming when the weather is warmer and there’s more ultraviolet radiation. In addition, climate change increases the production of allergenic air pollutants, including mold (thanks to damp conditions caused by extreme weather and increased flooding) and pollen (due to a longer pollen season). “Climate change–fueled droughts and dry conditions are also setting the stage for dangerous wildfires,” adds Limaye. “ Wildfire smoke can linger for days and pollute the air with particulate matter hundreds of miles downwind.”

The effects of air pollution on the human body vary, depending on the type of pollutant, the length and level of exposure, and other factors, including a person’s individual health risks and the cumulative impacts of multiple pollutants or stressors.

Smog and soot

These are the two most prevalent types of air pollution. Smog (sometimes referred to as ground-level ozone) occurs when emissions from combusting fossil fuels react with sunlight. Soot—a type of  particulate matter —is made up of tiny particles of chemicals, soil, smoke, dust, or allergens that are carried in the air. The sources of smog and soot are similar. “Both come from cars and trucks, factories, power plants, incinerators, engines, generally anything that combusts fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, or natural gas,” Walke says.

Smog can irritate the eyes and throat and also damage the lungs, especially those of children, senior citizens, and people who work or exercise outdoors. It’s even worse for people who have asthma or allergies; these extra pollutants can intensify their symptoms and trigger asthma attacks. The tiniest airborne particles in soot are especially dangerous because they can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream and worsen bronchitis, lead to heart attacks, and even hasten death. In  2020, a report from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health showed that COVID-19 mortality rates were higher in areas with more particulate matter pollution than in areas with even slightly less, showing a correlation between the virus’s deadliness and long-term exposure to air pollution. 

These findings also illuminate an important  environmental justice issue . Because highways and polluting facilities have historically been sited in or next to low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, the negative effects of this pollution have been  disproportionately experienced by the people who live in these communities.

Hazardous air pollutants

A number of air pollutants pose severe health risks and can sometimes be fatal, even in small amounts. Almost 200 of them are regulated by law; some of the most common are mercury,  lead , dioxins, and benzene. “These are also most often emitted during gas or coal combustion, incineration, or—in the case of benzene—found in gasoline,” Walke says. Benzene, classified as a carcinogen by the EPA, can cause eye, skin, and lung irritation in the short term and blood disorders in the long term. Dioxins, more typically found in food but also present in small amounts in the air, is another carcinogen that can affect the liver in the short term and harm the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as reproductive functions.  Mercury  attacks the central nervous system. In large amounts, lead can damage children’s brains and kidneys, and even minimal exposure can affect children’s IQ and ability to learn.

Another category of toxic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are by-products of traffic exhaust and wildfire smoke. In large amounts, they have been linked to eye and lung irritation, blood and liver issues, and even cancer.  In one study , the children of mothers exposed to PAHs during pregnancy showed slower brain-processing speeds and more pronounced symptoms of ADHD.

Greenhouse gases

While these climate pollutants don’t have the direct or immediate impacts on the human body associated with other air pollutants, like smog or hazardous chemicals, they are still harmful to our health. By trapping the earth’s heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases lead to warmer temperatures, which in turn lead to the hallmarks of climate change: rising sea levels, more extreme weather, heat-related deaths, and the increased transmission of infectious diseases. In 2021, carbon dioxide accounted for roughly 79 percent of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and methane made up more than 11 percent. “Carbon dioxide comes from combusting fossil fuels, and methane comes from natural and industrial sources, including large amounts that are released during oil and gas drilling,” Walke says. “We emit far larger amounts of carbon dioxide, but methane is significantly more potent, so it’s also very destructive.” 

Another class of greenhouse gases,  hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) , are thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide in their ability to trap heat. In October 2016, more than 140 countries signed the Kigali Agreement to reduce the use of these chemicals—which are found in air conditioners and refrigerators—and develop greener alternatives over time. (The United States officially signed onto the  Kigali Agreement in 2022.)

Pollen and mold

Mold and allergens from trees, weeds, and grass are also carried in the air, are exacerbated by climate change, and can be hazardous to health. Though they aren’t regulated, they can be considered a form of air pollution. “When homes, schools, or businesses get water damage, mold can grow and produce allergenic airborne pollutants,” says Kim Knowlton, professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University and a former NRDC scientist. “ Mold exposure can precipitate asthma attacks  or an allergic response, and some molds can even produce toxins that would be dangerous for anyone to inhale.”

Pollen allergies are worsening  because of climate change . “Lab and field studies are showing that pollen-producing plants—especially ragweed—grow larger and produce more pollen when you increase the amount of carbon dioxide that they grow in,” Knowlton says. “Climate change also extends the pollen production season, and some studies are beginning to suggest that ragweed pollen itself might be becoming a more potent allergen.” If so, more people will suffer runny noses, fevers, itchy eyes, and other symptoms. “And for people with allergies and asthma, pollen peaks can precipitate asthma attacks, which are far more serious and can be life-threatening.”

More than one in three U.S. residents—120 million people—live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the  2023  State of the Air  report by the American Lung Association (ALA). Since the annual report was first published, in 2000, its findings have shown how the Clean Air Act has been able to reduce harmful emissions from transportation, power plants, and manufacturing.

Recent findings, however, reflect how climate change–fueled wildfires and extreme heat are adding to the challenges of protecting public health. The latest report—which focuses on ozone, year-round particle pollution, and short-term particle pollution—also finds that people of color are 61 percent more likely than white people to live in a county with a failing grade in at least one of those categories, and three times more likely to live in a county that fails in all three.

In rankings for each of the three pollution categories covered by the ALA report, California cities occupy the top three slots (i.e., were highest in pollution), despite progress that the Golden State has made in reducing air pollution emissions in the past half century. At the other end of the spectrum, these cities consistently rank among the country’s best for air quality: Burlington, Vermont; Honolulu; and Wilmington, North Carolina. 

No one wants to live next door to an incinerator, oil refinery, port, toxic waste dump, or other polluting site. Yet millions of people around the world do, and this puts them at a much higher risk for respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, cancer, and death. In the United States, people of color are 1.5 times more likely than whites to live in areas with poor air quality, according to the ALA.

Historically, racist zoning policies and discriminatory lending practices known as  redlining  have combined to keep polluting industries and car-choked highways away from white neighborhoods and have turned communities of color—especially low-income and working-class communities of color—into sacrifice zones, where residents are forced to breathe dirty air and suffer the many health problems associated with it. In addition to the increased health risks that come from living in such places, the polluted air can economically harm residents in the form of missed workdays and higher medical costs.

Environmental racism isn't limited to cities and industrial areas. Outdoor laborers, including the estimated three million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States, are among the most vulnerable to air pollution—and they’re also among the least equipped, politically, to pressure employers and lawmakers to affirm their right to breathe clean air.

Recently,  cumulative impact mapping , which uses data on environmental conditions and demographics, has been able to show how some communities are overburdened with layers of issues, like high levels of poverty, unemployment, and pollution. Tools like the  Environmental Justice Screening Method  and the EPA’s  EJScreen  provide evidence of what many environmental justice communities have been explaining for decades: that we need land use and public health reforms to ensure that vulnerable areas are not overburdened and that the people who need resources the most are receiving them.

In the United States, the  Clean Air Act  has been a crucial tool for reducing air pollution since its passage in 1970, although fossil fuel interests aided by industry-friendly lawmakers have frequently attempted to  weaken its many protections. Ensuring that this bedrock environmental law remains intact and properly enforced will always be key to maintaining and improving our air quality.

But the best, most effective way to control air pollution is to speed up our transition to cleaner fuels and industrial processes. By switching over to renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar power), maximizing fuel efficiency in our vehicles, and replacing more and more of our gasoline-powered cars and trucks with electric versions, we'll be limiting air pollution at its source while also curbing the global warming that heightens so many of its worst health impacts.

And what about the economic costs of controlling air pollution? According to a report on the Clean Air Act commissioned by NRDC, the annual  benefits of cleaner air  are up to 32 times greater than the cost of clean air regulations. Those benefits include up to 370,000 avoided premature deaths, 189,000 fewer hospital admissions for cardiac and respiratory illnesses, and net economic benefits of up to $3.8 trillion for the U.S. economy every year.

“The less gasoline we burn, the better we’re doing to reduce air pollution and the harmful effects of climate change,” Walke explains. “Make good choices about transportation. When you can, ride a bike, walk, or take public transportation. For driving, choose a car that gets better miles per gallon of gas or  buy an electric car .” You can also investigate your power provider options—you may be able to request that your electricity be supplied by wind or solar. Buying your food locally cuts down on the fossil fuels burned in trucking or flying food in from across the world. And most important: “Support leaders who push for clean air and water and responsible steps on climate change,” Walke says.

• “When you see in the news or hear on the weather report that pollution levels are high, it may be useful to limit the time when children go outside or you go for a jog,” Walke says. Generally, ozone levels tend to be lower in the morning.
• If you exercise outside, stay as far as you can from heavily trafficked roads. Then shower and wash your clothes to remove fine particles.
• The air may look clear, but that doesn’t mean it’s pollution free. Utilize tools like the EPA’s air pollution monitor,  AirNow , to get the latest conditions. If the air quality is bad, stay inside with the windows closed.
• If you live or work in an area that’s prone to wildfires,  stay away from the harmful smoke  as much as you’re able. Consider keeping a small stock of masks to wear when conditions are poor. The most ideal masks for smoke particles will be labelled “NIOSH” (which stands for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and have either “N95” or “P100” printed on it.
• If you’re using an air conditioner while outdoor pollution conditions are bad, use the recirculating setting to limit the amount of polluted air that gets inside. 

This story was originally published on November 1, 2016, and has been updated with new information and links.

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Air Pollution — Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, And Solutions

Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

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Published: Feb 8, 2022

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Causes and effects of air pollution, possible solutions to the problem of air pollution.

This essay explores the critical issue of air pollution, emphasizing human activities as the primary contributors, including fossil fuel combustion, industrial emissions, and transportation. It discusses the harmful effects of air pollution on human health, the environment, and global ecosystems, highlighting the urgency of addressing this global crisis. Offering practical solutions, such as adopting renewable energy sources and implementing cleaner technologies, the essay serves as a problem and solution essay example detailed , advocating for collective action to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution and protect the planet for future generations.

Works Cited

• Begum, B. A., & Hill, J. A. (2019). Air Pollution and Public Health: A Primer. In Air Pollution and Health (pp. 3-22). Elsevier.
• Bhaskar, A., & Upadhyay, R. (2021). Air Pollution: Causes, Impacts and Control Measures. In Environmental Pollution and Control Measures (pp. 29-52). Springer.
• Chakraborty, S., & Pervez, S. (2019). Impact of Air Pollution on Human Health and Environment: An Overview. In Environmental Impact of Chemical Pollution (pp. 3-24). Elsevier.
• Dockery, D. W., & Pope III, C. A. (2020). Air Pollution and Health. In Air Pollution and Health (pp. 23-35). Elsevier.
• Garg, A., Martin, R. V., & Crounse, J. D. (2021). Air Pollution and Its Effects on Climate and Health. In Climate and Air Pollution (pp. 1-21). Springer.
• Hidy, G. M., & Pennell, W. T. (2020). Air Pollution: Chemicals and Particles in Ambient Air and Their Health Effects. In Encyclopedia of Environmental Health (pp. 22-31). Elsevier.
• Kampa, M., & Castanas, E. (2020). Human Health Effects of Air Pollution. Environmental Pollution, 151, 362-367.
• Lelieveld, J., Evans, J. S., Fnais, M., Giannadaki, D., & Pozzer, A. (2015). The Contribution of Outdoor Air Pollution Sources to Premature Mortality on a Global Scale. Nature, 525(7569), 367-371.
• Pruss-Ustun, A., Wolf, J., Corvalan, C., Bos, R., & Neira, M. (2016). Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments: A Global Assessment of the Burden of Disease from Environmental Risks. World Health Organization.
• World Health Organization. (2018). Ambient Air Pollution: A Global Assessment of Exposure and Burden of Disease. World Health Organization.

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Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences Essay

Environmental pollution is the unwarranted discharge of mass or energy into the planet’s natural resource pools, such as land, air, or water, which detriments the environment’s ecological stability and the health of the living things that inhabit it. There is an intensified health risk and pollution in middle and low-income countries due to the increased use of pesticides, industrialization, the introduction of nitrogen-based fertilizers, forest fires, urbanization, and inadequate waste management (Appannagari, 2017). Air pollution, lead and chemicals exposure, hazardous waste exposure, and inappropriate e-waste disposal all result in unfavorable living conditions, fatal illnesses, and ecosystem destruction. The essay will provide an overview of pollution and proffer solutions to combating pollution for a sustainable environment and health.

In addition to hindering economic development and considerably accelerating climate change, pollution exacerbates poverty and inequality in urban and rural areas. The most pain is always experienced by the poor, who cannot afford to protect themselves against pollution’s harmful effects. The main environmental factor contributing to sickness and early mortality is pollution due to premature deaths resulting from pollution (Appannagari, 2017). Due to the unacceptably high cost to human capital and health, as well as the resulting GDP losses, pollution must be addressed. Through initiatives like reducing black carbon and methane emissions, which are responsible for air pollution and climate change, pollution management can also significantly contribute to climate change mitigation (Appannagari, 2017). Additionally, pollution control can promote competitiveness through, for instance, job growth, increased energy efficiency, better transportation, and sustainable urban and rural development. Below are the various approaches for solutions to health and pollution problems.

First, governments should evaluate pollution as a national and international priority and integrate it into the city and country planning process. Pollution affects the health and well-being of societies and, as such, cannot be solely viewed as an environmental issue (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). All levels of government should give pollution prevention a high priority, incorporate it into development planning, and tie it to commitments regarding climate change, SDGs, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Some options are both affordable and offer good returns on investment.

Secondly, governments should increase funding for pollution control and prioritize it by health impacts. There should be a significant increase in the financing for pollution management in low- and middle-income nations, both from national budgets and international development organizations (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). The most effective international support for pollution reduction is when it mobilizes additional actions and funding from others. Examples include helping towns and nations that are quickly industrializing concerning technical capacity building, regulatory and enforcement support, and support for direct actions to save lives. Monitoring financing initiatives are necessary to determine their cost-effectiveness and to raise accountability.

Thirdly, organizations should work to build multicultural partnerships for pollution control. Public-private partnerships and interagency cooperation can be powerful tools in creating clean technology and energy sources that will ultimately prevent pollution at its source (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). Collaborations between ministries that include the ministries of finance, energy, development, agriculture, and transport, as well as the ministries of health and the environment, are crucial in pollution control. Governments should promote monitoring systems that could identify and apportion pollution sources, measure pollution levels, guide enforcement, and assess progress toward goals. The use of new technology in pollution monitoring, such as data mining and satellite images, can boost effectiveness, broaden the monitoring area, and cut costs.

One of the main issues facing the world in the current period is pollution. Natural resources are depleting daily due to car emissions, new technologies, factories, and chemicals added to food. All of these factors seriously harm the world. However, the problems caused by pollution can be prevented by building multicultural partnerships, increasing funding for pollution control, integrating it into the country’s planning process, and adopting new technology for monitoring pollution. Preventing pollution lowers the cost to the environment and the economy.

Appannagari, R. R. (2017). Environmental pollution causes and consequences: A study . North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science and Humanities , 3 (8), 151-161. Web.

Excell High School. (2018). Environmental Science . Excel Education Systems, Inc. Web.

The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health. (2017). Pollution and health: Six problems and six solutions. Knowledge, Evidence, and Learning for Development.

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IvyPanda. (2023, December 18). Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/

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1. IvyPanda . "Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

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Essay on Air Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on air pollution.

Essay on Air Pollution – Earlier the air we breathe in use to be pure and fresh. But, due to increasing industrialization and concentration of poisonous gases in the environment the air is getting more and more toxic day by day. Also, these gases are the cause of many respiratory and other diseases . Moreover, the rapidly increasing human activities like the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation is the major cause of air pollution.

How Air Gets Polluted?

The fossil fuel , firewood, and other things that we burn produce oxides of carbons which got released into the atmosphere. Earlier there happens to be a large number of trees which can easily filter the air we breathe in. But with the increase in demand for land, the people started cutting down of trees which caused deforestation. That ultimately reduced the filtering capacity of the tree.

Moreover, during the last few decades, the numbers of fossil fuel burning vehicle increased rapidly which increased the number of pollutants in the air .

Causes Of Air Pollution

Its causes include burning of fossil fuel and firewood, smoke released from factories , volcanic eruptions, forest fires, bombardment, asteroids, CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), carbon oxides and many more.

Besides, there are some other air pollutants like industrial waste, agricultural waste, power plants, thermal nuclear plants, etc.

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is also the cause of air pollution because air pollution produces the gases that greenhouse involves. Besides, it increases the temperature of earth surface so much that the polar caps are melting and most of the UV rays are easily penetrating the surface of the earth.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Effects Of Air Pollution On Health

Moreover, it increases the rate of aging of lungs, decreases lungs function, damage cells in the respiratory system.

Ways To Reduce Air Pollution

Although the level of air pollution has reached a critical point. But, there are still ways by which we can reduce the number of air pollutants from the air.

Reforestation- The quality of air can be improved by planting more and more trees as they clean and filter the air.

Policy for industries- Strict policy for industries related to the filter of gases should be introduced in the countries. So, we can minimize the toxins released from factories.

Use of eco-friendly fuel-  We have to adopt the usage of Eco-friendly fuels such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), bio-gas, and other eco-friendly fuels. So, we can reduce the amount of harmful toxic gases.

To sum it up, we can say that the air we breathe is getting more and more polluted day by day. The biggest contribution to the increase in air pollution is of fossil fuels which produce nitric and sulphuric oxides. But, humans have taken this problem seriously and are devotedly working to eradicate the problem that they have created.

Above all, many initiatives like plant trees, use of eco-friendly fuel are promoted worldwide.

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Watch CBS News

Teens come up with trigonometry proof for Pythagorean Theorem, a problem that stumped math world for centuries

By Bill Whitaker

May 5, 2024 / 7:00 PM EDT / CBS News

As the school year ends, many students will be only too happy to see math classes in their rearview mirrors. It may seem to some of us non-mathematicians that geometry and trigonometry were created by the Greeks as a form of torture, so imagine our amazement when we heard two high school seniors had proved a mathematical puzzle that was thought to be impossible for 2,000 years. 

We met Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson at their all-girls Catholic high school in New Orleans. We expected to find two mathematical prodigies.

Instead, we found at St. Mary's Academy , all students are told their possibilities are boundless.

Come Mardi Gras season, New Orleans is alive with colorful parades, replete with floats, and beads, and high school marching bands.

In a city where uniqueness is celebrated, St. Mary's stands out – with young African American women playing trombones and tubas, twirling batons and dancing - doing it all, which defines St. Mary's, students told us.

Junior Christina Blazio says the school instills in them they have the ability to accomplish anything. 

Christina Blazio: That is kinda a standard here. So we aim very high - like, our aim is excellence for all students. 

The private Catholic elementary and high school sits behind the Sisters of the Holy Family Convent in New Orleans East. The academy was started by an African American nun for young Black women just after the Civil War. The church still supports the school with the help of alumni.

In December 2022, seniors Ne'Kiya Jackson and Calcea Johnson were working on a school-wide math contest that came with a cash prize.

Ne'Kiya Jackson: I was motivated because there was a monetary incentive.

Calcea Johnson: 'Cause I was like, "$500 is a lot of money. So I-- I would like to at least try."

Both were staring down the thorny bonus question.

Bill Whitaker: So tell me, what was this bonus question?

Calcea Johnson: It was to create a new proof of the Pythagorean Theorem. And it kind of gave you a few guidelines on how would you start a proof.

The seniors were familiar with the Pythagorean Theorem, a fundamental principle of geometry. You may remember it from high school: a² + b² = c². In plain English, when you know the length of two sides of a right triangle, you can figure out the length of the third.

Both had studied geometry and some trigonometry, and both told us math was not easy. What no one told  them  was there had been more than 300 documented proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem using algebra and geometry, but for 2,000 years a proof using trigonometry was thought to be impossible, … and that was the bonus question facing them.

Bill Whitaker: When you looked at the question did you think, "Boy, this is hard"?

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Yeah. 

Bill Whitaker: What motivated you to say, "Well, I'm going to try this"?

Calcea Johnson: I think I was like, "I started something. I need to finish it." 

Bill Whitaker: So you just kept on going.

Calcea Johnson: Yeah.

For two months that winter, they spent almost all their free time working on the proof.

CeCe Johnson: She was like, "Mom, this is a little bit too much."

CeCe and Cal Johnson are Calcea's parents.

CeCe Johnson:   So then I started looking at what she really was doing. And it was pages and pages and pages of, like, over 20 or 30 pages for this one problem.

Cal Johnson: Yeah, the garbage can was full of papers, which she would, you know, work out the problems and-- if that didn't work she would ball it up, throw it in the trash. 

Bill Whitaker: Did you look at the problem? 

Neliska Jackson is Ne'Kiya's mother.

Neliska Jackson: Personally I did not. 'Cause most of the time I don't understand what she's doing (laughter).

Michelle Blouin Williams: What if we did this, what if I write this? Does this help? ax² plus ….

Their math teacher, Michelle Blouin Williams, initiated the math contest.

Bill Whitaker: And did you think anyone would solve it?

Michelle Blouin Williams: Well, I wasn't necessarily looking for a solve. So, no, I didn't—

Bill Whitaker: What were you looking for?

Michelle Blouin Williams: I was just looking for some ingenuity, you know—

Calcea and Ne'Kiya delivered on that! They tried to explain their groundbreaking work to 60 Minutes. Calcea's proof is appropriately titled the Waffle Cone.

Calcea Johnson: So to start the proof, we start with just a regular right triangle where the angle in the corner is 90°. And the two angles are alpha and beta.

Bill Whitaker: Uh-huh

Calcea Johnson: So then what we do next is we draw a second congruent, which means they're equal in size. But then we start creating similar but smaller right triangles going in a pattern like this. And then it continues for infinity. And eventually it creates this larger waffle cone shape.

Calcea Johnson: Am I going a little too—

Bill Whitaker: You've been beyond me since the beginning. (laughter) 

Bill Whitaker: So how did you figure out the proof?

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Okay. So you have a right triangle, 90° angle, alpha and beta.

Bill Whitaker: Then what did you do?

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Okay, I have a right triangle inside of the circle. And I have a perpendicular bisector at OP to divide the triangle to make that small right triangle. And that's basically what I used for the proof. That's the proof.

Bill Whitaker: That's what I call amazing.

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Well, thank you.

There had been one other documented proof of the theorem using trigonometry by mathematician Jason Zimba in 2009 – one in 2,000 years. Now it seems Ne'Kiya and Calcea have joined perhaps the most exclusive club in mathematics. 

Bill Whitaker: So you both independently came up with proof that only used trigonometry.

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Yes.

Bill Whitaker: So are you math geniuses?

Calcea Johnson: I think that's a stretch. 

Bill Whitaker: If not genius, you're really smart at math.

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Not at all. (laugh) 

To document Calcea and Ne'Kiya's work, math teachers at St. Mary's submitted their proofs to an American Mathematical Society conference in Atlanta in March 2023.

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Well, our teacher approached us and was like, "Hey, you might be able to actually present this," I was like, "Are you joking?" But she wasn't. So we went. I got up there. We presented and it went well, and it blew up.

Bill Whitaker: It blew up.

Calcea Johnson: Yeah. 

Ne'Kiya Jackson: It blew up.

Bill Whitaker: Yeah. What was the blowup like?

Calcea Johnson: Insane, unexpected, crazy, honestly.

It took millenia to prove, but just a minute for word of their accomplishment to go around the world. They got a write-up in South Korea and a shout-out from former first lady Michelle Obama, a commendation from the governor and keys to the city of New Orleans. 

Bill Whitaker: Why do you think so many people found what you did to be so impressive?

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Probably because we're African American, one. And we're also women. So I think-- oh, and our age. Of course our ages probably played a big part.

Bill Whitaker: So you think people were surprised that young African American women, could do such a thing?

Calcea Johnson: Yeah, definitely.

Ne'Kiya Jackson: I'd like to actually be celebrated for what it is. Like, it's a great mathematical achievement.

Achievement, that's a word you hear often around St. Mary's academy. Calcea and Ne'Kiya follow a long line of barrier-breaking graduates. 

The late queen of Creole cooking, Leah Chase , was an alum. so was the first African-American female New Orleans police chief, Michelle Woodfork …

And judge for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Dana Douglas. Math teacher Michelle Blouin Williams told us Calcea and Ne'Kiya are typical St. Mary's students.  

Bill Whitaker: They're not unicorns.

Michelle Blouin Williams: Oh, no no. If they are unicorns, then every single lady that has matriculated through this school is a beautiful, Black unicorn.

Pamela Rogers: You're good?

Pamela Rogers, St. Mary's president and interim principal, told us the students hear that message from the moment they walk in the door.

Pamela Rogers: We believe all students can succeed, all students can learn. It does not matter the environment that you live in. 

Bill Whitaker: So when word went out that two of your students had solved this almost impossible math problem, were they universally applauded?

Pamela Rogers: In this community, they were greatly applauded. Across the country, there were many naysayers.

Bill Whitaker: What were they saying?

Pamela Rogers: They were saying, "Oh, they could not have done it. African Americans don't have the brains to do it." Of course, we sheltered our girls from that. But we absolutely did not expect it to come in the volume that it came.  

Bill Whitaker: And after such a wonderful achievement.

Pamela Rogers: People-- have a vision of who can be successful. And-- to some people, it is not always an African American female. And to us, it's always an African American female.

Gloria Ladson-Billings: What we know is when teachers lay out some expectations that say, "You can do this," kids will work as hard as they can to do it.

Gloria Ladson-Billings, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin, has studied how best to teach African American students. She told us an encouraging teacher can change a life.

Bill Whitaker: And what's the difference, say, between having a teacher like that and a whole school dedicated to the excellence of these students?

Gloria Ladson-Billings: So a whole school is almost like being in Heaven. 

Bill Whitaker: What do you mean by that?

Gloria Ladson-Billings: Many of our young people have their ceilings lowered, that somewhere around fourth or fifth grade, their thoughts are, "I'm not going to be anything special." What I think is probably happening at St. Mary's is young women come in as, perhaps, ninth graders and are told, "Here's what we expect to happen. And here's how we're going to help you get there."

At St. Mary's, half the students get scholarships, subsidized by fundraising to defray the $8,000 a year tuition. Here, there's no test to get in, but expectations are high and rules are strict: no cellphones, modest skirts, hair must be its natural color.

Students Rayah Siddiq, Summer Forde, Carissa Washington, Tatum Williams and Christina Blazio told us they appreciate the rules and rigor.

Rayah Siddiq: Especially the standards that they set for us. They're very high. And I don't think that's ever going to change.

Bill Whitaker: So is there a heart, a philosophy, an essence to St. Mary's?

Summer Forde: The sisterhood—

Carissa Washington: Sisterhood.

Tatum Williams: Sisterhood.

Bill Whitaker: The sisterhood?

Voices: Yes.

Bill Whitaker: And you don't mean the nuns. You mean-- (laughter)

Christina Blazio: I mean, yeah. The community—

Bill Whitaker: So when you're here, there's just no question that you're going to go on to college.

Rayah Siddiq: College is all they talk about. (laughter) 

Pamela Rogers: … and Arizona State University (Cheering)

Principal Rogers announces to her 615 students the colleges where every senior has been accepted.

Bill Whitaker: So for 17 years, you've had a 100% graduation rate—

Pamela Rogers: Yes.

Bill Whitaker: --and a 100% college acceptance rate?

Pamela Rogers: That's correct.

Last year when Ne'Kiya and Calcea graduated, all their classmates went to college and got scholarships. Ne'Kiya got a full ride to the pharmacy school at Xavier University in New Orleans. Calcea, the class valedictorian, is studying environmental engineering at Louisiana State University.

Bill Whitaker: So wait a minute. Neither one of you is going to pursue a career in math?

Both: No. (laugh)

Calcea Johnson: I may take up a minor in math. But I don't want that to be my job job.

Ne'Kiya Jackson: Yeah. People might expect too much out of me if (laugh) I become a mathematician. (laugh)

But math is not completely in their rear-view mirrors. This spring they submitted their high school proofs for final peer review and publication … and are still working on further proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. Since their first two …

Calcea Johnson: We found five. And then we found a general format that could potentially produce at least five additional proofs.

Bill Whitaker: And you're not math geniuses?

Bill Whitaker: I'm not buying it. (laughs)

Produced by Sara Kuzmarov. Associate producer, Mariah B. Campbell. Edited by Daniel J. Glucksman.

Bill Whitaker is an award-winning journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent who has covered major news stories, domestically and across the globe, for more than four decades with CBS News.

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Thomas L. Friedman

Why the Campus Protests Are So Troubling

By Thomas L. Friedman

Opinion Columnist

Readers have been asking me, and I have been asking myself of late, how I feel about the campus demonstrations to stop the war in Gaza. Anyone reading this column since Oct. 7 knows that my focus has been on events on the ground in the Middle East, but this phenomenon has become too big to ignore. In short: I find the whole thing very troubling, because the dominant messages from the loudest voices and many placards reject important truths about how this latest Gaza war started and what will be required to bring it to a fair and sustainable conclusion.

My problem is not that the protests in general are “antisemitic” — I would not use that word to describe them, and indeed, I am deeply uncomfortable as a Jew with how the charge of antisemitism is thrown about on the Israel-Palestine issue. My problem is that I am a hardheaded pragmatist who lived in Beirut and Jerusalem, cares about people on all sides and knows one thing above all from my decades in the region: The only just and workable solution to this issue is two nation-states for two indigenous peoples.

If you are for that, whatever your religion, nationality or politics, you’re part of the solution. If you are not for that, you’re part of the problem.

And from everything I have read and watched, too many of these protests have become part of the problem — for three key reasons.

First, they are virtually all about stopping Israel’s shameful behavior in killing so many Palestinian civilians in its pursuit of Hamas fighters, while giving a free pass to Hamas’s shameful breaking of the cease-fire that existed on Oct. 7. On that morning, Hamas launched an invasion in which it murdered Israeli parents in front of their children, children in front of their parents — documenting it on GoPro cameras — raped Israeli women and kidnapped or killed everyone they could get their hands on, from little kids to sick grandparents.

Again, you can be — and should be — appalled at Israel’s response: bombing everything in its path in Gaza so disproportionately that thousands of children have been killed, maimed and orphaned . But if you refuse to acknowledge what Hamas did to trigger this — not to justify what Israel has done, but to explain how the Jewish state could inflict so much suffering on Palestinian men, women and children in reverse — you’re just another partisan throwing another partisan log on the fire. By giving Hamas a pass, the protests have put the onus on Israel to such a degree that its very existence is a target for some students, while Hamas’s murderous behavior is passed off as a praiseworthy adventure in decolonization .

Second, when people chant slogans like “liberate Palestine” and “from the river to the sea,” they are essentially calling for the erasure of the state of Israel, not a two-state solution. They are arguing that the Jewish people have no right to self-determination or self-defense. I don’t believe that about Jews, and I don’t believe that about Palestinians. I believe in a two-state solution in which Israel, in return for security guarantees, withdraws from the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Arab areas of East Jerusalem, and a demilitarized Palestinian state that accepts the principle of two states for two peoples is established in those territories occupied in 1967.

I believe in that so strongly that the thing I am most proud of in my 45-year career is my interview in February 2002 with the Saudi crown prince, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, in which he, for the first time, called on the entire Arab League to offer full peace and normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for full withdrawal to the 1967 lines — a call that led the Arab League to hold a peace conference the next month, on March 27 and 28, in Beirut to do just that. It was called the Arab Peace Initiative .

And do you know what Hamas’s response was to that first pan-Arab peace initiative for a two-state solution? I’ll let CNN tell you . Here’s its report from Israel on the evening of March 27, 2002, right after the Arab League peace summit opened:

NETANYA, Israel — A suicide bomber killed at least 19 people and injured 172 at a popular seaside hotel Wednesday, the start of the Jewish religious holiday of Passover. At least 48 of the injured were described as “severely wounded.” The bombing occurred in a crowded dining room at the Park Hotel, a coastal resort, during the traditional meal marking the start of Passover. … The Palestinian group Hamas, an Islamic fundamentalist group labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Yes, that was Hamas’s response to the Arab peace initiative of two nation-states for two peoples: blowing up a Passover Seder in Israel.

Hey, Friedman, but what about all the violence that Israeli settlers perpetrated against Palestinians and how Bibi Netanyahu deliberately built up Hamas and undermined the Palestinian Authority, which embraced Oslo?

Answer: That violence and those Netanyahu actions are awful and harmful to a two-state solution as well. That is why I am intensely both anti-Hamas and anti-Netanyahu. And if you oppose just one and not also the other, you should reflect a little more on what you are shouting at your protest or your anti-protest. Because no one has done more to harm the prospects of a two-state solution than the codependent Hamas and Netanyahu factions.

Hamas is not against the post-1967 occupation. It is against the existence of a Jewish state and believes there should be an Islamic state between the river and the sea. When protests on college campuses ignore that, they are part of the problem. Just as much as Israel supporters who ignore the fact that the far-right members in Netanyahu’s own coalition government are for a Jewish state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. How do I know? Because Netanyahu wrote it into the coalition agreemen t between himself and his far-right partners.

The third reason that these protests have become part of the problem is that they ignore the view of many Palestinians in Gaza who detest Hamas’s autocracy. These Palestinians are enraged by precisely what these student demonstrations ignore: Hamas launched this war without permission from the Gazan population and without preparation for Gazans to protect themselves when Hamas knew that a brutal Israeli response would follow. In fact, a Hamas official said at the start of the war that its tunnels were for only its fighters, not civilians.

That is not to excuse Israel in the least for its excesses, but, again, it is also not to give Hamas a pass for inviting them.

My view: Hamas was ready to sacrifice thousands of Gazan civilians to win the support of the next global generation on TikTok. And it worked. But one reason it worked was a lack of critical thinking by too many in that generation — the result of a campus culture that has become way too much about what to think and not how to think.

I highly recommend a few different articles about how angry Gazans are at Hamas for starting this war without any goal in mind other than the fruitless task of trying to destroy Israel so Hamas’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, could get his personal revenge.

I was particularly struck by a piece in The National, a newspaper in Abu Dhabi, by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian American raised in Gaza. The headline is: “Israel’s War Has Killed 31 Members of My Family, Yet It’s Vital to Speak Out Against Hamas.” Alkhatib placed Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack in the context of the rising protests against its inept and autocrat rule that have broken out periodically in Gaza since 2019, under the banner of “We Want to Live.”

Wrote Alkhatib, a political analyst who is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council: “Having grown up in Gaza, I experienced Hamas’s rise to power and their gradual grip over the Strip and Palestinian politics and society, hiding behind a resistance narrative and using extremist politics to sabotage prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Israel. Months before Oct. 7, tens of thousands of Gazans protested in the streets in defiance of Hamas, just as they had in 2019 and 2017.”

Alkhatib added that the “‘We Want to Live’ protest movement decried living conditions and unemployment in Gaza, as well as the lack of a political horizon for meaningful change in the territory’s realities and opportunities. Hamas’s regime consisted of a criminal and despotic enterprise that used Gaza as a haven for the group’s members and affiliates and turned Palestinians there into aid-dependent subjects reliant on the international community” and turned Gaza into “a ‘resistance citadel’ that was part of a nefarious regional alliance with Iran.”

A campus with critical thinkers might have had a teach-in on the central lawn on that subject, not just on the violence of Israeli settlers.

Against this backdrop, we are seeing college presidents at places like Rutgers and Northwestern agree to some of the demands by students to end their protests. As NPR summarized them, the “demands vary by school, though they generally call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, disclosures of institutional investments and divestment from companies with ties to Israel or that otherwise profit from its military operation in Gaza.”

What Palestinians and Israelis need most now are not performative gestures of disinvestment but real gestures of impactful investment, not the threat of a deeper war in Rafah but a way to build more partners for peace. Invest in groups that promote Arab-Jewish understanding, like the Abraham Initiatives or the New Israel Fund. Invest in management skills capacity-building for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, like the wonderful Education for Employment network or Anera, that will help a new generation to take over the Palestinian Authority and build strong, noncorrupt institutions to run a Palestinian state.

This is not a time for exclusionary thinking. It is a time for complexity thinking and pragmatic thinking: How do we get to two nation-states for two indigenous peoples? If you want to make a difference and not just make a point, stand for that, work for that, reject anyone who rejects it and give a hug to anyone who embraces it.

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Thomas L. Friedman is the foreign affairs Opinion columnist. He joined the paper in 1981 and has won three Pulitzer Prizes. He is the author of seven books, including “From Beirut to Jerusalem,” which won the National Book Award. @ tomfriedman • Facebook