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air pollution — English
A condition of elevated levels of trace components in the atmosphere at the Earth’s surface. Such a condition is often anthropogenic, that is, caused by human activities. Normally the atmosphere at the Earth’s surface contains 0,04 percent trace components, but when humans release huge amounts of carbon dioxide and/or monoxide, sulphur dioxide and/or oxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons (like methane), particulates (solid particles like dust), and chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs), the percentage of trace components is raised. Air containing high concentrations of these pollutants may be harmful or even highly toxic to human beings, and in the long run it might perhaps change climatic conditions on Earth. (See “acid rain” and “climate change”.)
