The term identifies a compilation of substances present in the Earth’s gaseous envelope that are considered pollutants. This encompasses a broad range of particulate matter, gases, and volatile organic compounds that negatively impact air quality and potentially pose risks to human health, ecosystems, and the climate. Examples include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, and various types of airborne particles.
Such inventories are critical for environmental monitoring and management. They enable the tracking of pollution levels over time, inform the development of effective mitigation strategies, and support the enforcement of air quality regulations. Historically, awareness of these pollutants and the need for comprehensive data have grown alongside industrialization and increasing scientific understanding of their detrimental effects.
