Ever wondered why industrial smokestacks tower so high into the sky? Turns out, it's not just for dramatic effect—those towering chimneys are designed to disperse pollutants away from ground level, reducing immediate health risks for nearby communities. But as this piece digs into, there's more nuance (and debate) around whether this "out of sight, out of mind" approach truly solves pollution or just kicks the can down the road.

Editor’s Note: While tall smokestacks might seem like relics of the industrial age, they’re actually a deliberate (if imperfect) solution to a messy problem. This story matters because it forces us to ask whether we’re mitigating harm or just redistributing it—especially as climate concerns grow. Plus, it’s a reminder that even "simple" engineering choices have hidden trade-offs.