air pollution

Cultural  

1. The addition of harmful chemicals to the atmosphere. The most serious air pollution results from the burning of fossil fuels, especially in internal-combustion engines.

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Example Sentences

Residents of Middelburg, in Mpumalanga, present at the report's launch, recounted the effects of air pollution they have experienced, including early-onset asthma in children, skin diseases, and other respiratory flare-ups.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

"Sure, AI data centres consume massive amounts of energy, contribute to air pollution, and drain the water supply from local communities," Forcino said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

As the lake’s water sources diminish because of water use agreements regarding the Colorado River, and as this region gains more industrial activity from proposed lithium extraction, air pollution is likely to only worsen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Local air pollution authorities, possessing little power and even less solid science, singled out oil industries, factories, manufacturers and chemical companies, and they weren’t wrong — just looking through the opposite end of the telescope.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I wondered if there was a big fire somewhere, but in the morning Lori told me that the orange glow came from the air pollution refracting the light off the streets and buildings.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls