Air pollution continues to be a significant problem in the city of Birmingham, as it has for decades. No one likes walking the streets of Birmingham just to taste or smell the smoke and particles in the air, not to mention the negative health effects. Fortunately, improvements have been made; Forty years ago, residents of Birmingham couldn't even see the horizon due to the immense amount of particles in the air. Today, the horizon is visible daily. The notable improvement is a testament to the progress that has been made over the years, but there is still much room for much-needed improvements. Birmingham's air quality is among the worst in the United States, but there are several feasible and relatively simple solutions that would positively impact air quality, negating the adverse effects on human and environmental health: recycling, proper disposal of used tires. and closely monitoring the disposal of factory waste. In the United States before 1970, there were no laws in place regarding pollution that led to toxic air quality levels. Conversely, the Environmental Protection Agency passed a new law, the Clean Air Act, which led Federal District Judge Sam Pointer to order an emergency shutdown of operations at 23 smokestack industries in Birmingham until at the end of the emergency period (Spencer). The Clean Air Act was passed with the goal of creating clearer, uncontaminated air across the country, but Birmingham's air was far from clear and uncontaminated. Over the past 40 years, adjustments have been made to factories and factories, and this has not gone unnoticed. As Spencer writes, "EPA proposed that Birmingham be certified as having reached the middle of paper...unnecessary for creating a product such as rubber asphalt that lasts longer than the asphalt itself." Cited Spencer, Thomas. "An old cloud of polluted air rises from Birmingham's shoulders | Al.com." Alabama Blogs and Bloggers-Al.com. Internet. November 23, 2011. Kallman, Matt. "August 2008 Monthly Update: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions of Air Pollution | "Coal-Fired Power Plants." Black Warrior Riverkeeper. Web. November 23, 2011. "Downtown B'ham Recycling Center. » Web. December 23, 2011. Lioy, Paul J. and Panos G. Georgopoulos. “New Jersey: A Case Study in Reducing Urban and Suburban Air Pollution from the 1950s to 2010.” (2011): 1351-1355. Academic Search Premier Web, December 8, 2011. “Tire Trouble.” Family Education Network, resource for parents, teachers and children. november 2011.