Unsafe Air and How It Affects You

The statistics are sobering. Though the most recent State of the Air released by the American Lung Association indicates that things are improving, too many Americans are still breathing unsafe air on a regular basis. Breathing unsafe air has been linked to asthma, lung cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The report attempts to educate the American public on how many days a year the air quality in various cities and states is dangerous to the average individual. There are a variety of reasons the air may be unsafe on one day and not on another. In colder areas, chimneys and fireplaces spew cancerous particulates into the air in order to heat houses. In warmer areas, asphalt can grow hot enough to release dangerous particles.

Overall, 125 million Americans breathe unsafe air for at least part of the year. Though some of this air pollution is unpreventable, being caused by natural sources, significant percentages come from manmade sources. And though one fireplace isn’t likely to cause a major difference in air quality, a single manufacturing plant can.

Metropolitan areas have some of the highest rates of air pollution, which isn’t surprising. Not only are automobiles belching congestion into the sky, but major manufacturers are often based in large cities to have access to their large populations. Companies have a long and sordid history of exposing people to dangerous air pollutants, from asbestos to cigarette smoke to ozone.

If you or someone you love has developed a chronic disease due to exposure to air pollution, determining whether or not a single manufacturer contributed heavily to your illness is important. Please, have an experienced attorney evaluate your case and help you determine whether or not someone should be held accountable for what happened to you.