Environmental pollution has become a grave and much discussed problem today. This is particularly so with regard to air. Air pollution is not one of recent origin. The references in classical and early records to the ill effects of 'noxious air' clearly indicate that the problem of air pollution is a historical one. Air pollution means many things to people. To the motorist and the pilot it means reduction of visibility. To the public health worker it is a source of chronic and acute effects on health of people which lead to increased death rates. To the ecologist it means environmental degradation. Air pollution in urban areas arises from multiple sources, which may vary with location and developmental activities. Anthropogenic activities as rampant industrialization, exploitation and over consumption of natural resources, ever growing population size are major contributors of air pollution. The purpose of this paper is to examine various aspects of air pollution in India and control legislation, along with some landmark judgments regarding air pollution.
