Our Nation’s Air3Health and Environ

Our Nation’s Air
3
Health and Environmental Impacts
Air pollution can affect our health in many ways.
Numerous scientific studies have linked air pollution to
a variety of health problems including: (1) aggravation
of respiratory and cardiovascular disease; (2) decreased
lung function; (3) increased frequency and severity of
respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing and
coughing; (4) increased susceptibility to respiratory
infections; (5) effects on the nervous system, including
the brain, such as IQ loss and impacts on learning,
memory, and behavior; (6) cancer; and (7) premature
death. Some sensitive individuals appear to be at greater