1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

The 1979 Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution seeks to limit, gradually reduce and prevent air pollution including long-range transboundary air pollution. "Air pollution" is defined as the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the air resulting in deleterious effects of such a nature as to endanger human health, harm living resources and ecosystems and material property and impair or interfere with amenities and other legitimate uses of the environment. "Long-range transboundary air pollution" is defined as air pollution whose physical origin is situated wholly or in part within the area under the national jurisdiction of one State and which has adverse effects in the area under the jurisdiction of another State at such a distance that it is not generally possible to distinguish the contribution of individual emission sources or groups of sources. The Convention has been extended by eight protocols that specify measures to reduce states' emissions of air pollutants.