Air pollution is much worse than you think
Air pollution is harming every major ecosystem type in the northeast and mid-Atlantic United States, according to a new report written by experts from the Nature Conservancy and the Cary Instittue of Ecosystem Studies. Common pollutants such as mercury and ground-level ozone are resulting in less fish stocks, reduced farm production and a decline in honeybees.Air pollution is usually framed as a problem that affects the respiratory health of humans, according to co-author Tim Tear, but it has far-reaching consequences. All of that excess nitrogen, acid, mercury and ground-level ozone wreak havoc as they enter our soils and waters also. Ozone reduces forest and crop production, excess nitrogen harms waterways and fish stocks and acid rain makes lakes and streams uninhabitable by fish in the mountains.
The answer? Better regulation and better monitoring of air pollution.
To monitor the daily air pollution in your area, to protect your own health, sign up for AirNow updates.
The map above shows the acidity of precipitation across the lower 48 states, with red indicating regions of higher acidity. From the EPA Clean Air Status and Trends Network.
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