Does this mean that we should all go back to the horse as our main mode of transportation in order to avoid air pollution causes of our daily lifestyle? No.

But having this information can help one consider whether it is actually necessary to take the car to the corner store or if maybe a good walk is in order. Small decisions like this help to pile up into hundreds of car hours that go unused.

Because so many air pollution causes are in our daily life, it is very hard to even know when we are contributing even indirectly to the deterioration of our air quality. Most of us support the use of ozone destroying industries through the simple act of purchasing everyday foods and goods that are produced in ecologically unfriendly methods.

With going “green” becoming increasingly important, consumers should do some real research to determine whether the advertised claims of clean energy are true or are being misrepresented. Just because a company claims to use wind energy to produce their product does not mean that they use even a majority of wind energy in its production.

“Green” products are now being represented to the public as an eco friendly option for consumers. However, many green products are just as much gimmick as they are fossil fuel burners during their production stage.

This means that every time a consumer buys and uses the product, that company is being supported and the same fossil fuel burning production continues. Over time, this cycle can literally tear apart our world’s ozone layer, contribute to air pollution death and illness, and does little to nothing to contribute to the health of the planet.

Another air pollution fact that we all should know is, the way we tend to contribute to air pollution causes is by recycling our old electronics.

It’s a good hearted intention, but the results are not always what you might expect. Our old “recycled electronics” are usually nothing more than a business venture for the company or individual you are donating your old electronics to. Say you gather up an old desktop computer that is in good shape but is well outdated and donate it and an old cell phone to a recycling center for electronics.

If each one is in operating condition, they will be sold to third world countries, mainly countries in Africa, as usable electronic equipment.

If your cell phone and your desktop survive the trip without breaking or becoming damaged, they will be sold to residents of the country as affordable electronics to help them catch up to the ever growing digital age.

If your equipment is damaged (or was not usable at the time of drop off) these African countries and other third world countries have a heaping mound of electronic trash to get rid of. This is usually done through burning, which releases toxins into the air and the water. Thus, while the intentions of recycling your electronics is a good hearted and environmentally aware move, your intentions are not followed all the way through and you have suddenly contributed to the causes of air pollution.

By researching where and how the recycling company actually deals with the electronics (as some companies actually do recycle them the old fashioned way) and by investigating whether a company that is promoting a green product is stepping up to the ecological plate, your role in contributing to air pollution causes is diminished.

If everyone took the time and effort to follow through and added in walking and biking whenever possible, the air pollution causes that top the list would diminish significantly.

It’s unfortunate that companies are exploiting ecologically aware individuals to make a profit, but it is the nature of the beast and we all can take on responsibility to know that what we are doing to fight air pollution causes is truly serving a purpose.