The aim of this study was to review original scientific articles describing the relationship between atmospheric pollution and damage to human health. We also aimed to determine which of these studies mentioned public policy issues. Original articles relating to atmospheric pollution and human health published between 1995 and 2009 were retrieved from the PubMed database and analyzed. This stud...

Atmospheric processes affecting air quality are very complicated, and scientific understanding of these processes has been evolving rapidly. To successfully simulate concentration levels and changes of atmospheric pollutants, it is highly desirable to have air quality models with full and flexible modularity at the science process level. Such a modular air quality model would significantly enha...

An air pollutant consists of any atmospheric substance that may harm humans, animals, vegetation or material. Various air pollutants have been reported, differing in their physicochemical characteristics. They can be grouped into four categories: gaseous pollutants (e.g. ozone, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds), persistent organic pollutants, he...

Trace metals in aerosols were observed at an urban site (Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan) and a rural site (Cape Hedo, Okinawa, Japan) to investigate the relative contributions of transboundary air pollutants from mainland Asia and local air pollutants in western Japan. We used a cascade impactor to collect aerosols in five size classes. We apportioned the sources of the air masses on the basis of elem...

A diel (24-h) cycle with daytime atmospheric concentrations higher than nighttime concentrations by a factor of 1.5–3 was observed for several low molecular weight polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in remote areas of the tropical South Atlantic during a cruise in October–November 2005. In contrast, high molecular weight PCBs and PAHs did not display di...

An industrial complex specially located in coastal area seriously affect on air quality near residential area. Gwang-yang bay, where is the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is one of the densely accumulated industrial areas. And air pollution over the area also increase with the density of industrial complex. Since petrochemical industry occupied major part of the Gwang-yang bay complex, ...

Proximity to road traffic involves higher health risks because of atmospheric pollutants. In addition to outdoor air, indoor air quality contributes to overall exposure. In the framework of the BREATHE study, indoor and outdoor air pollution was assessed in 39 schools in Barcelona. The study quantifies indoor and outdoor air quality during school hours of the BREATHE schools. High levels of fin...