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Inner city air pollution is causing an epidemic of asthma in city youth. This outbreak affects minority children in poor areas more than any other group. Mold species related to higher temperatures due to global warming and vehicle exhaust are two major causes that are to blame for this increase in asthma.

Laws such as the Clean Air Act have been passed to require reduced pollution from power plants and cars, but they are often ignored. Laws such as the Clear Skies Initiative allow one area to buy the rights to make more pollution from another area. This has lead to some areas paying to be allowed to pollute more because they can’t afford to buy more pollution friendly cars and power plants. In the end, kids are still getting sick.

What can citizens do? How can we reduce the pollution? How can we help the sick kids? What should the government do?