Worldwide Pollution

This dataset provides geolocated information about the following pollutants:

• NO2 : nitrogen dioxide is one of the several nitrogen oxides. It is introduced into the air by natural phenomena like entry from stratosphere, or lighting. At the surface level, however, NO2 forms from cars, trucks and buses emissions, power plants and off-road equipment. Exposure over short periods can aggravate respiratory diseases, like asthma. Longer exposures may contribute to develoment of asthma and respiratory infections. People with asthma, children and the elderly are at greater risk for the health effects of NO2.
• O3 : the ozone molecule is harmful for outdoor air quality (if outside of the ozone layer). At surface level, ozone is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Differently from the good ozone located in the upper atmosphere, ground level ozone can provoke several health problems like chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and airway inflammation. Furthermore it can reduce lung function and worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ozone affects also vegetation and ecosystems. In particular, it damages sensitive vegetation during the growing season.
• CO : carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. Outdoor, it is emitted in the air above all by cars, trucks and other vehicles or machineries that burn fossil fuels. Such items like kerosene and gas space heaters, gas stoves also release CO affecting indoor air quality.
  Breathing air with a high concentration of CO reduces the amount of oxygen that can be transported in the blood stream to critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, which are not likely to occur outdoor, but which are possible in enclosed environments, CO can cause dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and death.
• PM10 : atmospheric particulate matter (PM), also known as atmospheric aerosol particles, are complex mixtures of small solid and liquid matter that get into the air. If inhaled they can cause serious heart and lungs problem. They have been classified as group 1 carcinogen by the International Agengy for Research on Cancer (IARC). PM10 refers to those particules with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.
• PM2.5 : they refer to those particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less.