Breathing polluted air in California alone caused 30,000 hospital visits and an estimated $325 million in insurance costs. Worldwide, trillions of dollars are spent each year trying to combat diseases caused by contaminated air. Common symptoms caused by breathing polluted air for a short time include chest pain, cough, nausea and lung congestion. Illnesses caused by prolonged inhalation of contaminated air include asthma, influenza, reproductive disorders and neurological diseases.