Air Pollution in Megacities: Advances in Monitoring and Modelling

This meeting is joint with the Atmospheric Chemistry Special Interest Group

Poor ambient air quality is a global health concern affecting all industrialised nations and virtually all of society. It is characterised by harmful surface levels of particulates, ozone and nitrogen oxides, for which epidemiological evidence links chronic and acute exposure to increased morbidity. Worldwide, ~3 million deaths are attributable to air pollution each year according to the WHO, with ~40,000 premature deaths in the UK alone (Royal College of Physicians). Compounded by population growth and urbanisation, air pollution exposure is prevalent in most megacities, especially in developing nations, where rapid economic expansion has been an additional stressor on pollutant emissions, but where effective monitoring infrastructure is limited. Here, we will discuss advances in the monitoring and modelling of air pollution in megacities and consider challenges ahead.

Please bring any atmospheric chemistry posters for presentation during lunch & wine reception. Best early career poster prize sponsored by Air Monitors