Air pollution

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Air Pollution

Air pollution (pronunciation: /ɛər pəˈluːʃ(ə)n/) is the introduction of harmful substances, particulates, or biological materials into the Earth's atmosphere, causing diseases, allergies, or death in humans; damage to other living organisms such as animals and food crops; or damage to the natural or built environment.

Etymology

The term "air pollution" is derived from the English words "air" (Old English ǣr, from Proto-Germanic *airuz) and "pollution" (Middle English pollucioun, from Latin pollutio, from polluere "to soil, defile").

Related Terms

  • Particulate matter: Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, which can be either human-made or naturally occurring. Some particulates are so small they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.
  • Smog: A type of air pollution that forms a visible haze in the atmosphere. It's often caused by traffic, heavy industries, and other urban activities.
  • Greenhouse gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Some of these gases come from natural processes, but many are the result of human activities.
  • Emission standards: Legal requirements governing air pollutants released into the atmosphere. Emission standards set quantitative limits on the permissible amount of specific air pollutants that may be released from specific sources over specific timeframes.
  • Air Quality Index (AQI): A number used by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become.
  • Atmospheric dispersion modeling: Mathematical simulations of how air pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere. It is performed with computer programs that solve the mathematical equations and algorithms which simulate the pollutant dispersion.

See Also

External links

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