Editing Pollution (section)

=== Prior to 19th century ===
[[Air pollution]] has always accompanied civilizations. Pollution started from [[prehistoric times]], when humans created the first [[fire]]s. According to a 1983 article in the journal ''Science,'' "[[soot]]" found on ceilings of prehistoric caves provides ample evidence of the high levels of pollution that was associated with inadequate ventilation of open fires."<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Spengler|first1=John D.|last2=Sexton|first2=K. A.|year=1983|title=Indoor Air Pollution: A Public Health Perspective|journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]]|volume=221|issue=4605|pages=9–17 [p. 9]|bibcode=1983Sci...221....9S|doi=10.1126/science.6857273|pmid=6857273}}</ref>

Metal [[forging]] appears to be a key turning point in the creation of significant air pollution levels outside the home. Core samples of [[List of glaciers in Greenland|glaciers in Greenland]] indicate increases in pollution associated with Greek, Roman, and Chinese metal production.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hong|first=Sungmin|display-authors=etal|year=1996|title=History of Ancient Copper Smelting Pollution During Roman and Medieval Times Recorded in Greenland Ice|journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]]|volume=272|issue=5259|pages=246–249 [p. 248]|bibcode=1996Sci...272..246H|doi=10.1126/science.272.5259.246|s2cid=176767223}}</ref>[[File:DARK CLOUDS OF FACTORY SMOKE OBSCURE CLARK AVENUE BRIDGE - NARA - 550179.jpg|thumb|Air pollution in the US, 1973]]
The burning of coal and wood, and the presence of many horses in concentrated areas made the cities the primary sources of pollution. [[Edward I of England|King Edward I]] of England banned the burning of [[mineral coal]] by proclamation in [[London]] in 1306, after its smoke became a problem;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Sarah Anne |title=The first environmental law was passed in 1306. |url=https://historyfacts.com/world-history/fact/the-first-environmental-law-was-passed-in-1306/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=History Facts |language=en-US}}</ref> the fuel was named [[Seacoal|sea-coal]] at the time, getting its name from the fact that it was delivered form overseas (as opposed to [[charcoal]], which was referred to as "coal").