ABSTRACT
Toxicology is one of the fastest moving scientific fields, and the field of inhalation toxicology continues to grow as the public and the scientific community seek more information on the biological hazards of airborne materials. Air pollution occurs when either chemical or physical agents are present in the air in quantities that can produce significant effects on either man, animals, vegetation, or abiotic materials. In 1972, a new Clean Air Act provided the necessary authority to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards for human health and the environment. On November 15, 1990 new Clean Air Act Amendments were signed into law, substantially expanding the initial statute. The major chemicals that are important in the formation of oxidant air pollution are nitrogen oxides, aldehydes, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons. In determining the relative contribution of Sulfur dioxide emissions to acidic deposition, meteorological variability including differences for rain and the buffering capacity of the soil and water must be considered.
