that come from natural sources (for example, radon gas coming up from the ground) or from manmade sources (for example, chemical compounds given off by factory smokestacks) and can harm the environment or your health. Just something as simple as pumping gas can give you leukemia from the fumes put out by the benzene. (EPA Air Toxics) A fine example can be argued about right here in Vermont. I personally know people who claim that the talc mill in Brownsville, Vermont has much to do with the outbreak of lung, and full blown bone marrow cancer that seems to be affecting a large number of previous and present workers, as well as those who live around it. This may or may not be the truth of the matter much of this is speculation and hearsay. However its not a commonly thought of air pollutant and it makes you think of how close to home this can be. The health effects caused by this pollution are still not fully known but some that we are aware of are cancer, respiratory irritation, nervous system problems, and birth defects. The illnesses one can be affected by are divided into two categories short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) complications. Ones time exposed to the pollutant, level of toxicity of the pollutant, frequency of exposure, and overall health and general resistance to the toxin are all factors in which toxic pollutants can affect human health. The six major regulated air pollutants are ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and lead. (Department of Environmental Protection State Of Maine) However there are 188 listed hazardous air pollutants some of these are even common household items. So just because you dont live in a smog filled area it doesnt mean you arent susceptible. The more common form of toxic air pollution is smog. Smogs prime ingredient is low level ozone. The main culprits to this matter are cars with poor emissions systems, and fossil fuel burning factories. The probl...
