Air pollution

Air pollution

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulates or biological materials into the atmosphere which cause damage to the natural environment and have adverse health affects on organisms.

Industry: Pollution control

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Air pollution

inversion

Pollution control; Air pollution

A layer of warm air in the atmosphere that prevents the rise of cooling air and traps pollutants beneath it.

A layer of ozone in the lower portion of the stratosphere -- 12 to 15 miles above the Earth's surface -- which helps to filter out harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. It may be contrasted with the ...

air basin

Pollution control; Air pollution

A land area with generally similar meteorological and geographic conditions throughout. To the extent possible, air basin boundaries are defined along political boundary lines and include both the ...

chronic health effect

Pollution control; Air pollution

A health effect that occurs over a relatively long period of time (e.g., months or years). (See also acute health effect. )

adverse health effect

Pollution control; Air pollution

A health effect from exposure to air contaminants that may range from relatively mild temporary conditions, such as eye or throat irritation, shortness of breath, or headaches to permanent and ...

cancer

Pollution control; Air pollution

A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled invasive growth of body cells leading to the formation of malignant tumors that tend to grow rapidly and spread (i.e., metastasize).

peroxyacytal nitrate

Pollution control; Air pollution

A group of compounds formed from the photochemical reactions of nitrogen and organic compounds. PANs are components of smog and known to cause eye irritation.