Air pollution impacts our health and the environment. Broward County’s Air Monitoring and Outreach team monitors air pollutants throughout the County and informs residents about air quality.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Source - burning of materials: gasoline, natural gas, coal, oil, wood, grass, etc.
Health Effects - reduces ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues; cells and tissues need oxygen to work because it has 210 times greater affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen. Carbon monoxide may be particularly hazardous to people who have heart or circulatory (blood vessel) problems and people who have damaged lungs or breathing passages
- Source - burning of fuels gasoline, natural gas, coal, oil, etc.
- Health Effects - lung damage, illnesses of breathing passages and lungs (respiratory system)
- Environmental Effects - nitrogen dioxide is an ingredient of acid rain (acid aerosols), which can damage trees and lakes. Acid aerosols can reduce visibility by forming smog
- Property Damage - acid aerosols can eat away stone used on buildings, statues, monuments, etc.
- Sources - burning of wood, diesel and other fuels; industrial plants; agriculture (plowing, burning off fields); unpaved roads, secondary aerosol formation
- Health Effects - nose and throat irritation, lung damage, bronchitis, early death
- Environmental Effects- particulates are the main source of haze that reduces visibility
- Property Damage - ash, soot, smoke and dust can dirty and discolor structures and other property, including clothes and furniture
- Sources – stirred or windborne dust, mechanical processes (e.g., grinding, sanding)
- Health Effects - nose and throat irritation, lung damage, bronchitis, cardiovascular problems, and even early death
- Environmental Effects - particulates are the main source of haze that reduces visibility
- Property Damage - ash, soot, smoke and dust can dirty and discolor structures and other property, including clothes and furniture
- Source - leaded gasoline (phased out), paint (houses, cars), smelters (metal refineries), manufacture of lead storage batteries
- Health Effects - brain and other nervous system damage, digestive and other health problems. Children are more at risk
- Environmental Effects – similar effects on animals, some lead-containing chemicals cause cancer in animals