Smog: Is it getting any better?

Smog, a word made up of equal parts smoke and fog, is a problem affecting many urban areas in the U.S. and abroad. Smog is caused in part by automobiles and trucks, power plants and refineries. We don't really need to talk too much about it, we are all familiar with smog, whether we personally deal with it in the city we live in or not. Of course, directly or indirectly, we are all dealing with it.

Each adult on the earth breathes over 3,000 gallons of air a day on average, with children breathing more per pound of body weight. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and ozone all make up smog, and major smog occurrences are linked with heavy motor vehicle traffic.

So lets revisit the topic, as CBS News did, and remind ourselves how to do better. The EPA tells us to drive less, using buses, trains or bikes more; carpool or van pool or use public transportation. Learn how to drive in a way that saves gas and improves mileage. Make sure your vehicle is maintained, pick the right vehicle and even give biofuels a try. And don't forget to breathe.

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