Insights and issues into the impacts of urban pollution

Air pollution is a major risk for many people, as it can cause cardiovascular diseases, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. There has been a plethora of pollution disasters around the world that have diseased populations, infected landscapes, and contaminated resources above and below ground. As a means of introducing the severity of urban pollution around the world, detailed in the following is an array of examples where air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution has been devastating and long- lasting for those affected. This chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. It offers some initial insights into the impacts and issues associated with urban pollution.