People that live close to industrial zones or in countries with no environmental regulations for emissions and pollutions of air, water and land are at risk of health problems.
These can include asthma and other respiratory diseases.
This can even occur in countries where environmental regulations are taken seriously but the sheer volume of traffic in areas still puts people at risk.
We may not see it, but most of the pollution floating around is in the air we breathe and it is a major health hazard.
There are two types of ozone, good and bad.
Good ozone is the layer that protects us from the sun's ultraviolet rays and it exists between 6.
2 and 31 miles above the Earth's surface.
Bad ozone is formed when pollution emitted from cars, factories and refineries react chemically in the presence of sunlight.
Ozone can cause respiratory infections and increase the incidences of asthma.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is very difficult to detect.
It forms when the carbon in a vehicle doesn't completely burn.
Automobiles are the leading cause of carbon monoxide currently put into the Earth's atmosphere.
When carbon monoxide enters the body, it restricts blood flow and can affect those with cardiovascular problems.
It can even be fatal if it builds up enough in a closed space.
The next time you are watching TV, make sure to pay attention to the weather report's air quality index.
This index is a measurement of the major gasses and particles delivered into the air on a given day.
It will provide an indication to possible health problems for those who are vulnerable to respiratory conditions.