**Author details**

• Modernization of monitoring and data transmission and control of PM;

even non-polluting and more energy efficient;

30 Air Pollution - Monitoring, Quantification and Removal of Gases and Particles

fertilisers and nitrogen content in animal feed;

and effectiveness of measures implemented to improve QA;

• Rationalise and optimise the global transport system to reduce CO<sup>2</sup>

by berthed ships;

ties for the fire set;

**8. Conclusions**

• Creation of significant benefits in the acquisition of new vehicles that are less polluting or

• Promotion of access to shore-based electricity (preferably from renewable energy sources)

• Selection of forest species and practices less vulnerable to storms and fires, greater penal-

• Reduction in the use of nitrogen (N) in agriculture due to the excessive use of nitrogen

• Implement improved monetary assessment of impacts on ecosystems and analyse the costs

Improving global air quality and reducing the atmospheric concentration of PM is essential to achieve greater control of air pollution at source and to minimise its effects in order to preserve human health, the environment, and materials. Legislative measures and other instruments (including Plans and Programs) have been adopted at National and Community levels for several decades. For these measures and instruments to be implemented and enforced, it is necessary to implement the updated air quality policy, making use of the latest scientific knowledge and appropriate management of commitments and synergies between climate and environmental objectives in order to that it cannot only enhance ecological and climatic resilience, but also achieve important socio-economic benefits, including public health.

The control at source of emissions of air pollutants in general and PM in particular can be done through the installation and use of best available non-pollutant techniques and equipment. Also, measures to prevent air pollution include reducing emissions, as switching to cleaner fuels, alternative use of renewable energy sources, and more efficient and cleaner new energy sources (wind, water, solar, and biomass valorisation of agriculture) in response to considerations of the climate or security of supply, the use of less polluting means of transport, leading in particular to a substantial decrease in PM10 and dangerous emissions. In this chapter, a general overview of variables and key factors that identify, relate, and understand the diverse and multidisciplinary variables that contribute to PM concentration in urban environments associated with health impacts were identified and described. The main multidisciplinary aspects, namely meteorology, urban geometry, road traffic, industries, air concentration measurements, and health were also presented and discussed. The main strategic aspects for

decision making related to airborne PM impact on health were also discussed.

emissions.

João Nuno Pinto Miranda Garcia1,2\*, Joana Borrega1 and Luís M. R. Coelho1,2

\*Address all correspondence to: joao.garcia@estsetubal.ips.pt

1 Polytechnic Institute of Setubal (IPS), EST, Setubal, Portugal

2 CINEA-IPS, Centro de Investigação em Energia e Ambiente, Setúbal, Portugal
