ABSTRACT
Area sources of air pollution are relatively dispersed emissions over large areas with relatively constant source strength over space but can have very large temporal changes in their emissions. This chapter discusses some of the common area sources and the emerging trends in their management practice, with specific focus on anthropogenic emissions. Common area sources of gaseous and particulate air pollution in the past have mainly geological origins, such as volcanoes, dust storms and wildfires. Direct emissions of toxic pollutants can affect the local residents. In addition, the formation of other pollutants as the air is transported can lead to harmful exposures for populations in regions far away from the wildfires. In some parts of the world soil emissions, especially of nitrogen oxides, are a bigger component of air pollution. In many parts of the developing world emissions of polychlorinated biphenyls during disposal of waste electronic components and old equipment containing dielectric fluids are considered to be significant.
