Summer can take your breath away.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

Air pollution is an environmental risk hazardous to human health; high levels can cause a bevy of respiratory issues, such as increased incidences of asthma attacks, respiratory infections, lung cancer, and even death.

"Smoke, ozone, and the oxides of nitrogen and sulfur are irritants of the airways and can worsen any preexisting lung condition." warns Jonathan Weissler, director of the Center for Biomedical Research, Dallas, Texas. "People with chronic lung disease should try to minimize their time outdoors when air quality becomes extremely poor."

Of course, summer's often 90[degrees]-plus temperatures inevitably worsen air quality. The combination of sunlight and heat essentially bakes the atmosphere and the various airborne chemical compounds within it. This chemical concoction mixes with naturally occurring nitrogen...