Atmospheric Pollution: Impacts and Regulations

This lecture explores the influence of human activities on atmospheric chemical composition, focusing on water vapor, agriculture, cities, and various emissions. It delves into the types of pollutants, sources of anthropogenic pollution, and infamous historical episodes of air pollution. The presentation covers current air pollution problems in cities like New Delhi, Paris, and London, discussing global trends in fine particulate matter concentrations and associated health burdens. It also examines the regulations on air quality, including legal limits for pollutants like PM2.5, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The lecture concludes with insights on the health effects of ambient ultrafine particles, the toxicity of transition metals in particulate matter, and the association between sulfate and aerosol toxicity.