Air quality, as a phenomenon, refers to the physicochemical state of the atmosphere with respect to the presence, concentration, and reactivity of gaseous and particulate constituents, including criteria pollutants (e.g., ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter) and numerous hazardous air pollutants. It emerges from dynamic interactions among emission sources, atmospheric transport, dispersion, chemical transformation, and removal processes such as deposition and scavenging. Quantification of air quality relies on continuous or episodic monitoring, expressed through pollutant concentrations and composite indices, and is central to studying atmospheric chemistry, exposure assessment, and the impacts of atmospheric composition on biological, ecological, and material systems.
Cleaning up pollution around the world could bring significantly more rainfall to India's monsoon than regional action alone, research from the University of Reading shows and highlights the value of international cooperation ...
Environment
Jul 15, 2026
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14
While particulate matter air pollution from human activity in transportation, households and industry is decreasing in Europe, thanks to strict regulations, another source is developing in the opposite direction: desert dust.
Earth Sciences
Jul 15, 2026
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9
Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is expected to engulf large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week, exposing millions of people to dangerous air pollution.
Environment
Jul 15, 2026
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8
China and the southern United States were hit last year by some of their worst sand and dust storms in decades, the United Nations said Friday.
Environment
Jul 10, 2026
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9
President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday moved to loosen truck pollution regulations put in place by his predecessor, Joe Biden, in its latest environmental rollback benefiting makers of fossil fuel-burning vehicles.
Environment
Jul 10, 2026
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9
Two-thirds of the European Union's population may have been exposed to harmful levels of ozone pollution during last month's record-breaking heat wave, a report exclusively shared with AFP warned Thursday.
Environment
Jul 9, 2026
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7
More than 20 years ago, the Chinese government instituted the Scientific Outlook on Development (SOD) program, tying local leaders' job performance evaluations to environmental quality improvements. More than 350 river monitoring ...
Ecology
Jul 9, 2026
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44
The U.S. capital, Washington, saw its worst air quality of the year over the July 4 weekend, as smoke from a massive fireworks display sent pollution soaring to levels considered very unhealthy for the entire public, data ...
Environment
Jul 6, 2026
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15
In May, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to double the capacity of Canada's electricity grid by 2050, using natural gas in the name of "powering Canada strong." Almost all Canadian natural gas these days is derived ...
Environment
Jul 4, 2026
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15
Prescribed fires are vital for reducing wildfire risk and sustaining forest biodiversity. But they also contribute significantly to air pollution and smoke exposure, according to new research from the University of Georgia. ...
Earth Sciences
Jul 2, 2026
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10
