Global impacts of particulate matter air pollution

Even in well-studied, data-rich regions of the United States and Europe, understanding ambient particulate matter (PM, aka aerosols) remains a challenge. Atmospheric aerosols exhibit chemical heterogeneity, spatial and seasonal variability, and result in a wide range of health impacts (mortality, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, eye irritation, and others). In addition, aerosols play an important role in climate, exerting warming effects (black carbon), cooling effects (sulfate and organic carbon), and affecting precipitation and cloud cover. Characterizing the emission sources, concentrations, transport patterns, and impacts is particularly difficult in developing countries, where data are scarce, emissions are high, and health impacts are often severe

Air pollution · Atmospheric sciences · Climatology · Geography · Meteorology · Particulates · Precipitation · Sulfate · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting · Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols · Chemistry · Environmental Science · Ecology