Air Pollution is a harmful substance to the atmosphere resulting in damage to the environment, human health, and quality of life. One of many forms of pollution, air pollution occurs inside homes, schools, and offices; in cities; across continents; and even globally. Air pollution makes people sick—it causes breathing problems and promotes cancer—and it harms plants, animals, and the ecosystems in which they live. Some air pollutants return to Earth in the form of acid rain and snow, which corrode statues and buildings, damage crops and forests, and make lakes and streams unsuitable for fish and other plant and animal life.
Water quality and air pollution are serious problems in developing countries. Air pollution in major cities marked by many factories and heavy vehicle traffic also have high concentrations of sulfur dioxide and suspended particulate matter (SPM), at levels Japan experienced in the past. In addition, problems such as damage from acid rain and transboundary pollution are growing more serious. Pollution of rivers and lakes from chemical substances (including agricultural chemicals) and eutrophication (including abnormal growth of toxic algae) are also occurring more frequently, while water shortages and tropical forest destruction are worsening.
While many developing countries give economic development the greatest priority, many problems remain with basic needs such as safe drinking water and food, as well as medical and public health services. This situation often hinders progress in addressing environmental problems. In some countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, negative health impacts are growing over large areas due to fluorine and arsenic pollution in air and drinking water. In India, problems caused by sandstorms from the inland deserts have attracted international attention about aerosols and their long distance transport mechanisms.
Around 50% of people, almost all in developing countries, rely on coal and biomass in the.....
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