Effects of Air Pollution

Visitor enjoying the view at North Cascades National Park in Washington.

NPS Photo

Clean air helps people breathe easy and see far. It keeps our parks and planet healthy too!

Air pollution in parks can have negative consequences for how well we can see park vistas, the health of natural environments, the health of people in and around parks, and even the strength of local economies. With the exception of visibility, most of the effects in parks result from extended exposure to air pollution rather than short-term events. Learn more about the effects of air pollution in parks by visiting the Park Air Profiles pages or AQRV Inventory Products page.

Types of Effects

• Visibility
• Ecological (Nature)
• Human Health
• Economic