6 – Atmospheric Dispersion
Abstract Atmospheric dispersion is a very important process in air pollution. The use of tall stacks to minimize the impacts of air pollutant emissions reflected the saying that “the solution…
9 – Atmospheric Particles
Abstract Atmospheric particles and, in particular, fine particles are one of the major components of air pollution. They lead to significant adverse health effects, degrade atmospheric visibility, are involved in…
12 – Health Effects
Abstract The health effects of air pollution are difficult to characterize because of the large number of air pollutants present in the atmosphere and the relatively small contribution of their…
7 – The Stratospheric Ozone Layer
Abstract The stratospheric ozone layer results from the photolysis of molecular oxygen by ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation in the high atmosphere. This large atmospheric layer is stable and, therefore, affects…
13 – Environmental Impacts
Abstract Air pollutants may be transferred via dry and wet deposition to other media such as soil, surface waters, vegetation, and buildings. These pollutants may then contaminate these surfaces and…
15 – Regulations and Public Policies
Abstract Improving air quality by decreasing air pollutant concentration levels requires promulgating regulations that protect public health, ecosystems, the agriculture, buildings, and atmospheric visibility. Then, public policies must be implemented…
4 – Air Pollution Meteorology
Abstract Population exposure to air pollution occurs mostly near the Earth’s surface. Furthermore, most air pollution sources are located near the Earth’s surface (some exceptions include tall stacks, aircraft emissions,…
14 – Climate Change and Air Pollution
Abstract Climate change is a major issue regarding the atmospheric environment. It differs from air pollution in spatial and temporal scales. Climate change is due mostly to greenhouse gases that…
5 – Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Visibility
Abstract Solar radiation is essential to life on Earth and is one of the major factors governing the atmospheric general circulation. Furthermore, solar radiation plays a major role in air…
3 – Meteorology: General Circulation
Abstract Air pollution is directly affected by various aspects of meteorology, such as winds, which transport pollutants (in some cases over long distances); turbulence, which disperses air pollutants; solar radiation,…