Even though you cant see it, the air you breathe can affect your health. Polluted air can cause difficulty breathing, flare-ups of allergy or asthma, and other lung problems. Long-term exposure to air pollution can raise the risk of other diseases, including heart disease and cancer.Some people think of air pollution as something thats found mainly outside. They may picture cars idling or power plants with smoke stacks. But air pollution can also occur insidein homes, offices, or even schools.