Air pollution is a global problem, affecting most of the countries of the world. Over half of the world’s population is directly or indirectly affected by air pollutants. Over population and extensive urbanisation leads to high emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, which impacts air quality and stimulates climate change.  Several reports have highlighted environmental health problems caused by different air pollutants.  To be more precise there are some specific air pollutants which are labelled under the Clean Air Act of 1971, as strongly suspected to be harmful for public health as compared to other primary and secondary pollutants, they are termed as criteria pollutants. Globally, there are very limited studies on this category of air pollutants.  This brief aims at bringing together scattered information on criteria pollutants with a special focus on environmental health (both animals and plants). It first focuses on a background of criteria air pollutants and their sources, sinks and chemistry; further discuss their respective effects and mechanism of action on plants and animal health.  The chapters that follow explore the detailed nature of primary criteria pollutants such as — nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and lead and their chemical mechanism, causes, environmental health effects which include both plants and human life. Further, it continues with the details about the secondary criteria pollutants like ozone and their chemistry, sources, environmental health effects. It concluded with possible solutions to control the emission of criteria pollutants and enlists  future recommendations and policy formulations in relation to criteria air pollutants.  This brief will be valuable information for students in environmental science, biological science and agriculture, as well as for environmental consultants and professionals involved in air quality research and in application of air quality guidelines and advice.
 

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