Air pollution occurs when harmful gases, solids, or liquids are present in the atmosphere at high enough levels to negatively impact humans, animals, and materials. While natural causes like volcanoes and forest fires can pollute the air, human activities are primarily responsible for modern air pollution. There are two main types of air pollutants - primary pollutants that are directly released from sources like vehicle emissions, and secondary pollutants that are formed through chemical reactions between primary pollutants, producing substances like smog and acid rain. The health impacts of air pollution range from respiratory irritation to increased risk of infection, while large-scale impacts include acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming. Possible solutions to reduce air pollution