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protecting the
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| News from the NIEHS |
| World Health Organization |
| EPA Office of Children's Health Protection |
| Collaborative for Health and the Environment |
| American Academy of Pediatrics |
| National Children's Study |
 Outdoor Air Quality | ||
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See also: Air
Pollutants |
Glossary Terms Air particulates Total suspended particulate matter found in the atmosphere as solid particles or liquid droplets. Chemical composition of particulates varies widely, depending on location and time of year. Airborne particulates include windblown dust, emissions from industrial processes, smoke from the burning of wood and coal, and motor vehicle or non-road engine exhausts.(1) Air pollutants, hazardous Air pollutants which are not covered by ambient air quality standards but which, as defined in the Clean Air Act, may reasonably be expected to cause or contribute to irreversible illness or death. Such pollutants include asbestos, beryllium, mercury, benzene, coke-oven emissions, radionuclides, and vinyl chloride.(1) Air quality standards The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that may not be exceeded during a given time in a defined area.(1) Ambient air Any unconfined portion of the atmosphere: open air, surrounding air. Ambient air is usually outdoor air (as opposed to indoor air).(1) Attainment area An area considered to have air quality as good as or better than the national ambient air quality standards as defined in the Clean Air Act. An area may be an attainment area for one pollutant and a non- attainment area for others.(1) Background level In air pollution control, the concentration of air pollutants in a definite area during a fixed period of time prior to the starting up or on the stoppage of a source of emission under control. In toxic substances monitoring, the average presence in the environment, originally referring to naturally occurring phenomena.(1) Emission Pollution discharged into the atmosphere from smokestacks, other vents, and surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities; from residential chimneys; and from motor vehicle, locomotive, or aircraft exhausts.(1) Emission standard The maximum amount of air polluting discharge legally allowed from a single source, mobile or stationary.(1) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Standards established by the US Environmental Protection Agency that apply for outside air throughout the country.(1) Non-attainment area Area that does not meet one or more of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the criteria pollutants designated in the Clean Air Act.(1) Photochemical smog Air pollution caused by chemical reactions of various pollutants emitted from different sources.(1) Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) Measure of adverse health effects of air pollution levels in major cities.(1) Smog Air pollution associated with oxidants. (See: photochemical smog.)(1) |
Information Sources and
Organizations Looking for articles, reports, or scientific literature on Outdoor Air Quality? Click on the following bibliographic databases to learn more!Looking for research on Outdoor Air Quality? Click on the following research databases to learn more!
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Resource Guide Table of Contents |
