Causes

What's Going On | Solid Waste Pollution | Water Pollution | Air Pollution | Energy Pollution

Effects

Global Warming | Health Problems

According to Environmental Defense, Memphis is ranked as the 22nd worst city for air pollution in the United States - out of approximately 19,000 incorporated cities listed in the Census Bureau records.

Air pollution is composed of many factors; including, carbon monoxide, nitrates, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, secondhand tobacco smoke, particulate matter and HAPs. Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), are pollutants that may cause cancer or other serious health problems. They may also cause harmful environmental and ecological effects. These pollutants include: benzene, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, heavy metals like mercury and lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and some pesticides - more than half of these may be human carcinogens. In addition, many are known to affect the respiratory, neurological, immune, reproductive, or developmental systems. These pollutants may be emitted from thousands of sources ranging from small commercial facilities to large industrial sources to mobile sources such as motor vehicles.

Air pollutants are especially threatening in cities and metropolitan areas, such as our Memphis, because dense populations are creating a variety of ever-combining, ever-changing toxic air pollutants. Another concern is the impact of air pollutants on our low-income neighbors, who are often located close to industrial and commercial areas.

Our air receives a ranking of 38, with 72 being the worst, on the air quality scale made by the Earth Day Network.

Air Quality Index: A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health