How is the Air Quality in Boston affecting my health?
Every day we breathe in a mix of materials. Some of these materials are natural, such as water, pollen, and spores. However, other materials such as smoke, soot, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds are pollutants, and can be harmful to human health. If small enough, these particles can be inhaled deep into the respiratory system, becoming embedded in the airways and air sacs of the lungs (leading to health issues such as heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer). (SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency)