"Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials."
The presence of harmful substances, such as particulates or gases, in the air that can cause health problems or damage to the environment.
Sources of Air Pollution: Understanding the various sources of air pollution such as transportation, industries, households, and natural sources.
Health Effects of Air Pollution: Understanding the negative effects of air pollution on human health, such as respiratory problems, cancer, and heart disease.
Air Quality Standards: Understanding the national and international standards for air quality and how they are established.
Monitoring Air Quality: Understanding how air quality is monitored and what factors are considered in measuring air pollution levels.
Air Pollution Control Technologies: Understanding the various technologies and practices that can be used to control air pollution, such as air filters, emission controls, and renewable energy sources.
Acid Rain: Understanding the causes and effects of acid rain and how it contributes to air pollution.
Ozone Depletion: Understanding how air pollution contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer and its negative impact on the environment.
Global Warming: Understanding how air pollution contributes to global warming and the effects of climate change on the planet.
Sustainable Transportation: Learning about alternative modes of transportation that reduce air pollution, such as electric cars, public transportation, and biking.
Indoor Air Pollution: Understanding the sources and effects of indoor air pollution and how to minimize exposure to harmful pollutants in homes and workplaces.
Environmental Regulations: Understanding the laws and policies aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting public health and the environment.
Environmental Justice: Understanding the disproportionate impact of air pollution on low-income communities and communities of color and the need for inclusive and fair environmental policies.
Renewable Energy Sources: Learning about alternative sources of energy that reduce air pollution, such as solar, wind, and geothermal power.
Recycling and Waste Management: Understanding the impact of waste on air pollution and learning about strategies for reducing waste and promoting recycling.
Clean Energy Technologies: Learning about new and emerging technologies for reducing air pollution and promoting clean energy, such as carbon capture and storage and fuel cells.
Particulate Matter: These are tiny particles that are suspended in the air and can be inhaled into the lungs, causing respiratory problems.
Ozone: This is a gas that is created when pollutants react with sunlight. It can cause respiratory problems and aggravate existing conditions like asthma.
Sulfur Dioxide: This is a gas that is produced by burning coal and other fossil fuels. It can cause respiratory problems and contribute to acid rain.
Nitrogen Oxides: These are gases that are produced by vehicles and industrial processes. They can contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain.
Carbon Monoxide: This gas is produced by burning fossil fuels and is particularly dangerous because it is odorless and can cause death in high concentrations.
Lead: This is a toxic metal that was once used in gasoline but has been phased out in many countries. Exposure can cause neurological damage, especially in children.
Radon: This is a natural gas that can seep into homes and buildings from the ground. Prolonged exposure can lead to lung cancer.
Mercury: This toxic metal is released into the air by coal-fired power plants and other industrial processes. Exposure can cause neurological damage.
Volatile Organic Compounds: These are gases that are released by many household and industrial products, such as solvents and paint. They can contribute to the formation of smog.
Persistent Organic Pollutants: These are chemicals that are resistant to degradation and can accumulate in the environment and food chain. They can cause a range of health problems, including cancer and reproductive disorders.
"There are many different types of air pollutants, such as gases (including ammonia, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane and chlorofluorocarbons), particulates (both organic and inorganic), and biological molecules."
"Air pollution can cause diseases, allergies, and even death to humans; it can also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and crops, and may damage the natural environment or built environment."
"Air pollution can be caused by both human activities and natural phenomena."
"The human health effects of poor air quality are far-reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system."
"Many of the contributors of air pollution are also sources of greenhouse emission, i.e., burning of fossil fuel."
"Air pollution is a significant risk factor for a number of pollution-related diseases, including respiratory infections, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, and lung cancer."
"Growing evidence suggests that air pollution exposure may be associated with reduced IQ scores, impaired cognition, increased risk for psychiatric disorders such as depression, and detrimental perinatal health."
"Outdoor air pollution attributable to fossil fuel use alone causes ~3.61 million deaths annually, making it one of the top contributors to human death, with anthropogenic ozone and PM2.5 causing ~2.1 million."
"Overall, air pollution causes the deaths of around 7 million people worldwide each year, or a global mean loss of life expectancy (LLE) of 2.9 years."
"Air pollution is the world's largest single environmental health risk, which has not shown significant progress since at least 2015."
"Various pollution control technologies and strategies are available to reduce air pollution."
"Local rules, when properly executed, have resulted in significant advances in public health. Some of these efforts have been successful at the international level, such as the Montreal Protocol, which reduced the release of harmful ozone-depleting chemicals, and the 1985 Helsinki Protocol, which reduced sulfur emissions."
"Productivity losses and degraded quality of life caused by air pollution are estimated to cost the world economy $5 trillion per year."
"90% of the world's population breathes dirty air to some degree."
"Although the health consequences are extensive, the way the problem is handled is considered largely haphazard or neglected, albeit sometimes being moderately regulated and monitored."
"Indoor air pollution and poor urban air quality are listed as two of the world's worst toxic pollution problems."
"Air quality is closely related to the earth's climate and ecosystems globally."
"Some of these efforts have been successful at the international level, such as the Montreal Protocol, which reduced the release of harmful ozone-depleting chemicals, and the 1985 Helsinki Protocol, which reduced sulfur emissions."
"The scope of the air pollution crisis is large, and the problem has not shown significant progress since at least 2015."