Air Quality: Sources, Effects and Control of Major Atmospheric Pollutants

Abstract

Although consistent monitoring of ambient air pollution in the world’s cities has been going on for only slightly more than a decade, it has already shown that several pollutants frequently exceed the levels considered safe for health. The most serious health risks arise from exposure to suspended particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, carbon monoxide, photochemical oxidants, hydrocarbons and lead. Atmospheric pollution has three principal man-made sources-energy use, vehicular emissions and industrial production-all of which tend to expand with economic growth unless adequate measures are put in place. The rate of urbanization and of energy consumption per capita are rising rapidly in developing nations. Without aggressive abatement policies, atmospheric pollution will intensify in the coming years. The sources, effects and control of major atmospheric pollutants will be a principal focus of this paper.