Note: Intro -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Editors and Contributors -- About the Editors -- Contributors -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- 1.1 Background -- 1.2 Summary of the Chapters -- 1.3 Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 2: Transport Mechanisms, Potential Sources, and Radiative Impacts of Black Carbon Aerosols on the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau Glaciers -- 2.1 Background -- 2.2 Spatial Distribution of BC Mass Concentrations in the Himalayas-TP Atmosphere -- 2.3 Spatial Distribution of BC Aerosol in the Himalayas-TP Cryosphere -- 2.4 Climatic Impacts of BC Particle in the Atmosphere and Cryosphere -- 2.5 Seasonal Characteristics of BC in the Himalayas and TP -- 2.6 Potential Source Regions and Transport Mechanisms of BC -- 2.7 Atmospheric Pollution and Cryospheric Change (APCC) Research Framework -- 2.8 Summary and Future Direction -- References -- Chapter 3: Impact of Urban and Semi-urban Aerosols on the Cloud Microphysical Properties and Precipitation -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Aerosol-Cloud Interaction -- 3.3 Aerosol-Cloud-Radiation Interaction -- 3.4 Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Interaction -- 3.5 Summary and Way Forward -- References -- Chapter 4: Aerosol Characteristics and Its Impact on Regional Climate Over Northern India -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Aerosol Characteristics -- 4.2.1 Physical Characteristics -- 4.2.2 Optical Characteristics -- 4.2.3 Morphological and Chemical Characteristics -- 4.3 Spaceborne Observations -- 4.4 Aerosol Emission Sources -- 4.5 Aerosol Impacts on Regional Climate -- 4.6 Summary and Future Prospects -- References -- Chapter 5: Impacts of Air Pollution on Himalayan Region -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Topography and Economic Significance of the Himalaya -- 5.3 Status of Air Pollution in the Himalayan Region -- 5.3.1 Air Pollutant Level in the Himalayan Region -- 5.3.1.1 Particulate Matter. , 5.3.1.2 Gaseous Pollutants -- 5.3.1.3 Atmospheric Brown Cloud -- 5.3.2 Seasonal Trend of Air Pollutants -- 5.3.3 Diurnal Trend of Air Pollutant -- 5.4 Source of Air Pollution in the Himalayan Region -- 5.4.1 Solid Fuel for Cooking and Heating -- 5.4.2 Forest and Scrub Fires -- 5.4.3 Stubble and Garbage Burning -- 5.4.4 Industrial Growth and Urban Housing -- 5.4.5 Vehicles, Diesel Generators, and Pump Sets -- 5.4.6 Transported Pollution from Surrounding Regions -- 5.5 Effects of Air Pollution in the Himalayan Region -- 5.5.1 Climatic Effect -- 5.5.1.1 Temperature -- 5.5.1.2 Precipitation -- 5.5.1.3 Season Cycle -- 5.5.2 Cryosphere and Hydrosphere -- 5.5.3 Effect on Agro-forestry -- 5.5.4 Human Health Effects -- 5.6 Challenges in Tackling Air Pollution -- 5.6.1 Recognition of Problem -- 5.6.2 High Cost of Clean Fuels -- 5.6.3 Forest Degradation -- 5.6.4 Multilateral Collaboration and Coordination -- 5.6.5 Implementation Gaps and Challenges -- 5.7 Development and Mitigation Strategies -- 5.7.1 Development Strategies -- 5.7.2 Mitigation Strategies -- 5.7.2.1 Clean Energy -- 5.7.2.2 Upgrading Brick Kiln Technology -- 5.7.2.3 Urban and Transport Planning -- 5.7.2.4 Happy Seeder -- 5.7.2.5 Information and Education -- 5.8 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 6: Human-Associated Potential Risk of Metal-Bound Fine Particulate Matter -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.1.1 Particulate Matter (PM) -- 6.1.2 Fine Particulate Air Pollution: A Global Scenario -- 6.1.3 Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Emission Sources and Types -- 6.1.4 Sources of Particulate Matter -- 6.1.4.1 Natural Sources of PM -- 6.1.4.2 Anthropogenic Sources of PM -- 6.1.5 Classification of Particulate Matter -- 6.1.5.1 According to the US Environmental Protection (USEPA) -- Inhalable Coarse Particles -- Fine Particles -- Ultrafine Particles -- 6.1.5.2 According to the ACGIH Classification. , Inhalable Particulate Matter (IPM) -- Thoracic Particulate Matter (TPM) -- Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM) -- 6.1.5.3 According to MODAL Classification -- Coarse Mode -- Nuclei Mode -- Accumulation Mode -- 6.2 Human Exposure to Atmospheric Fine Particles -- 6.2.1 Short-Term Exposure to PM2.5 -- 6.2.2 Long-Term Exposure to PM2.5 -- 6.2.2.1 Asthma -- 6.2.2.2 Pulmonary Emphysema -- 6.2.2.3 Lung Cancer -- 6.2.2.4 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) -- 6.2.2.5 Heart Rate Variability -- 6.2.2.6 Cardiovascular Disease -- 6.2.2.7 Oxidative Stress -- 6.3 Heavy Metals Associated with PM and Their Impacts of Exposure -- 6.3.1 Heavy Metals and Human Health -- 6.3.1.1 Cadmium (Cd) -- 6.3.1.2 Mercury (Hg) -- 6.3.1.3 Lead (Pb) -- 6.3.1.4 Chromium (Cr) -- 6.3.1.5 Arsenic (As) -- 6.4 Summary: Significance, Future Scope, and Recommendations -- References -- Chapter 7: Potential Impacts of Gaseous Air Pollutants on Global Crop Yields Under Climate Change Uncertainties and Urbanization -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Global Food Demand -- 7.3 Impacts of Anthropogenic-Driven Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Urbanization -- 7.3.1 Altered Atmospheric Chemistry -- 7.3.2 Future of Wheat, Rice, and Maize Yields -- 7.4 Summary and Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 8: Impacts of Air Pollutants on Forest Ecosystem and Role in Ecological Imbalance -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Classification of Air Pollutants -- 8.3 Emission Sources of Common Air Pollutants -- 8.4 Uptake of Air Pollutants by Plants -- 8.5 Effect of Air Pollutants on Vegetation and Forests -- 8.6 Role of Air Pollutants in Ecological Imbalance -- 8.7 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 9: Green Technologies to Combat Air Pollution -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.1.1 Scope and Importance of Green Technology -- 9.2 Growing Green: Role of an Individual (Green Lifestyle) -- 9.2.1 Growing Green: Role of Industry. , 9.2.2 Smog-Free Tower (Lungs of the City) -- 9.2.3 Scrubbers -- 9.2.3.1 Wet Scrubber -- 9.2.3.2 Dry Scrubber -- 9.2.3.3 Electrostatic Precipitator -- 9.2.4 Catalytic Converters -- 9.2.5 Photocatalytic Air Purifier -- 9.2.6 Solar Energy -- 9.2.6.1 Working Grounds of Solar Energy -- 9.2.6.2 Solar to Thermal Energy -- 9.2.6.3 Solar to Electricity -- 9.2.7 Hybrid Transportation and Greening the Fleet -- 9.2.8 Fuel Choices -- 9.2.9 Electric Vehicles -- 9.2.10 Green Train and Buses -- 9.2.11 Mobile Wall of Moss -- 9.2.12 Air-Purifying Billboard -- 9.3 Growing Green: Role of Government and Stakeholders -- 9.3.1 Carbon Credits -- 9.3.2 Carbon Sequestration -- 9.3.3 Vertical Forest City -- 9.3.3.1 System Advantages -- 9.3.4 Green Bulletins -- 9.3.5 Best Practices from Europe and Asia -- 9.4 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 10: Urban Mobility Associated Ambient Air Quality and Policies for Environmental Implications -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Urban Mobility and Associated Crisis -- 10.3 Urban Mobility and Air Quality -- 10.4 Transport Policies for Better Health and Environment -- 10.5 Conclusions -- References -- Index.