This book contains the 100 papers presented at the Fifth International Conference on Air Pollution, which was held in Bologna, Italy, September 16-18, 1997. The papers were written by scientists working in industry, research organizations, government and academia who are involved with monitoring, simulation and management of air pollution problems. The emphasis was on the development of experimental and computational techniques which can be used as a tool for the solution and understanding of practical air pollution problems, from which it is possible to evaluate proposed emission control techniques and strategies. The previous four international conferences on Air Pollution were very successful. The Conference has been steadily growing from when it first started in Monterrey, Mexico in 1993 to Air Pollution 96 in Toulouse, France which attracted approximately 200 delegates. The books resulting from these meetings have been distributed throughout the world and have become standard references on the topic.

The volume presents advances on monitoring, modeling, management and understanding of air pollution problems. Particular attention is given to new developments in computational and experimental techniques, as well as to health problems. These techniques can be used as a tool for solving and understanding practical air pollution problems, from which it is possible to assess proposed emission control techniques and strategies. Mathematically and computationally based theoretical works and case studies compared to modeling results are presented and discussed. The public and government policy makers now wholly perceive the importance of environmetal issue due to air pollution, specially those generated by modern man-made processes and those which lead to health problems, particularly in large cities. Hence the necessity to use these techniques and their results to try to solve, understand and define efficient control strategies which cannot be achieved without a good an clear knowledge of the air pollution process and a link between the different disciplines involved. Atmospheric pollution derives from the adverse effects on the environment of a variety of substances (contaminants) and particles (aerosols) emitted into the atmosphere by natural and man-made processes. The physical and chemical processes that take place during an air pollution episode are better understood nowadays. The modelling of these processes continues to grow and great success has been achieved in the development of efficient and economical monitoring devices, however, further development is still needed.