Air is obviously the first and foremost susceptible component of our environment prone to pollution. The occurrence of air pollution was not perceived as a major problem in most countries until the late 1950's and 1960's. It was then usually seen as a local problem in urban areas and industrial areas. Only after 1960's have air pollution evolved as a problem of regional and global dimension. The places from where air pollutants emnate are both natural and man-made. Pollution problems arise not because of the magnitude of the anthropogenic emissions but also because this emission gets concentrated in the areas where people live and work. Air pollutants contaminate air, water and soil, corrode materials, damage buildings and clothing, harm plants, animals and human beings. This book will be useful to both teachers and students, administrators and planners interested in air pollution and its management.
