Citizens

Air pollution is everybody's problem. And it's up to each of us to do our part for cleaner air.

When we think of air pollution, we tend to think of factories and power plants. However, research shows that our cars, trucks, SUVs, construction equipment, boats, trains, airplanes, lawn care equipment, etc., contribute much of the pollutants that cause ozone. In fact, by the year 2007, mobile sources will contribute more than 60 percent of Tennessee's nitrogen oxide emissions, one of the key pollutants that create ozone.

Why should I care about air pollution?
Air pollution is a problem for all of us. The average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air every day. Children breathe even more air per pound of body weight and are more susceptible to air pollution. Many air pollutants remain in the environment for long periods and are carried by the winds hundreds of miles from their origin.

Air pollution can cause health problems, particularly for children, the elderly, and those who have respiratory or heart problems. Millions of people live in areas where ozone, very small particles, and toxic pollutants pose serious health concerns. The air pollutants of main concern in Tennessee are ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution (PM 2.5).

To learn more about how air pollution affects your health, the environment and our economy, click on the links provided on the left side of this web page.

But what can I do to help?
The air in Tennessee belongs to everybody, and everybody can do something to help clean up the air. Be part of the solution, not the pollution!