Air quality is a major concern in both the industrialized and less industrialized worlds. The United States has comprehensive laws governing air pollution, and air quality has generally increased over the past thirty years. Yet, problems remain and some may be growing. In many parts of the world, the quality of the air is rapidly degrading, and is becoming a major threat to public and environmental health. Global-scale problems with air pollution threaten large ecosystems and may prove irreversible.

Environmental Health students study air pollution in Air Quality Management (ENVH 304). Our laboratory courses also provide substantial experience with sampling and data interpretation. Other course work, such as in Hazardous Material Management (ENVH 405) and Environmental Toxicology (ENVH 407) support understanding of the problems of air pollution, and offer suggestions for solutions.

Listed below are a few resources that contain additional information about air quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a web page for its Office of Air and Radiation. It provides links to many useful sites and also current information on EPA activities.

The American Lung Association maintains information on air quality on its web page. It also maintains linkages to a variety of useful reports.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides a nice summary of air pollution issues affecting the planet. This summary is part of its Global Environmental Outlook report, which provides valuable environmental information on a tremendous number of topics.