The primary pollutant is the ABC coke plant located in North Birmingham. This plant burns coke, a type of fuel that creates energy by being burned. It releases carbon monoxide into the air. These plants have also released other harmful toxins that are blown around Birmingham and are sitting in our soil, air, and water. These contaminants are causing the people to become ill. It is frustrating that there is not much testing going on to ensure real safety. It is also frustrating that these companies are keeping info from the general public. This issue has caused the value of the housing in the surrounding areas to go down. This decreased home value makes it harder for people to leave these areas. Also when these people do become ill from this pollution and contamination, they have to pay for their medical bills and chemo. This is another huge strain financially and they are stuck in this endless cycle of needing to move so they don't get more sick, but not being able to afford to move because they have to pay their medical bills. I have noticed more irritation or allergies since moving to Birmingham from Tennessee. Before moving, I had not experienced any of this. I hope that I have not been effected but I definitely think it has hurt my lungs more. I sure hope that there is no long term damage from this. I don't think I have been here long enough for that to happen, but I can definitely feel a difference when I am breathing the unclean city air. It does feel gross to me.