The developed country to be investigated is the United States and the developing country is South Africa. This research will focus primarily on water and air pollution in cities, whether caused by large industries or citizens themselves, and how this relates to the respiratory systems of people living in these cities. Several studies have revealed a correlation between changes in air pollution and water sources and respiratory problems in both countries. The source of that pollution, the effects it has on the respiratory system, and what changes could be made among policymakers and individuals to help reduce the risks will be addressed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Different types of air pollution in major cities can aggravate people's breathing, promote asthma symptoms, and ultimately cause lung and heart disease. Asthma and lung cancer can also be attributed to secondhand tobacco smoke in the environment. Industrialization and urbanization have required the burning of enormous quantities of natural gas, fossil fuels and coal. All of these events have released toxic pollutants into the air we consume. To help improve air quality, the Clean Air Act was successfully passed in the United States in 1970. The Clean Air Act is a U.S. federal law aimed at curbing air pollution nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required by this law to protect us from any hazardous airborne contamination that could threaten public health. However, health problems due to air pollution are still a major problem [16]. In the Health Effects of Air Pollution on Respiratory Cancer Survival Length study, the authors set up a population-based study to analyze whether being subject to air pollution has detrimental effects on the survival rates of respiratory cancer patients. Los Angeles, California (Xu, Kan, Ha, Curbow, Lissaker, 2013). Los Angeles is one of the most polluted cities in the United States and respiratory cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of cancer death (Anne G Wheaton). The study concluded that all respiratory cancer patients had higher mortality rates and a lower survival rate than those who resided in less polluted environments. Another study in 2001 was conducted in San Francisco, California, focusing on the effects of traffic in congested streets on the environment and how this contributes to respiratory health problems (Kim, Smorodinsky, Lipsett, Hodgson, Ostro, Singer, 2004). Traffic pollutants such as black carbon, nitrogen dioxide and total nitrogen oxides were tested during various seasons in ten different schools in the city. Pollutant concentrations were reasonably low, but some concentrations were still discovered. Higher pollution associated with causing asthma was found among schools closer to busier roads. One of the most effective ways to reduce or prevent such risks of respiratory health problems is to put policies in place that help promote cleaner air quality. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Dust Act which would exempt most types of air pollutants in rural areas from the air quality controls included in the Clean Air Act (Center, Colson, 2013). This ultimately.