Air Pollution

Name:
Air Pollution
Detailed information:
(atmospheric pollution). Introduction of substances into the atmosphere that are not normally present therein and that have a harmful effect on humans, animals, or plant life. Photosynthesis is significantly inhibited by air pollutants, especially in urban areas. The worst offenders are sulfur dioxide (which forms sulfurous acid on contact with water vapor); automotive emission products; metal dusts from smelters, coal smoke, and other particulates; formaldehyde and acrolein; and radioactive emanations. Control of these is exercised by the Environmental Protection Agency. As conventionally used, the term does not apply to interior air spaces such as industrial workrooms. TLVs (Threshold Limit Values) for the latter are established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and by OSHA.See Environmental Chemistry.