Air pollution is defined as the presence of harmful substances and concentrated particleshigher than the nationally set levels. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution,the change in the composition of the atmosphere is due to the use of fossil fuelsfor power generation and transport.Air pollution has negative impacts on the environment in which we live. It causes problemshuman and animal health, damages plants, pollutes water, threatens aquatic life, deterioratesvisibility. Also, air pollution is the cause of the formation of acid rain, global warmingand smog.The sources of air pollution are different, such as: transportation, industry, biomass burning,use of radiators and construction sites.People exposed to high levels of certain air pollutants may experienceeye, nose and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, worsening oflung (such as asthma) and heart (increased risk of heart attack).Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause cancer and damage systemsimmunological, neurological, reproductive and respiratory. In extreme cases, it cancause death as well. Figure 8 identifies some of the health effects that cause somefrom air pollutants.Quality parameters were monitored in the cities of Durres, Elbasan, Shkodra and Tiranaair, such as: solid particles (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (CO andCO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic matter (VOC).

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide is one of the nitrogen oxides which is released by the combustion processes at temperaturehigh. This toxic reddish gas has a characteristic, pungent and harsh scent.NO2 is one of the most popular air pollutants. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an integral part of smog and cause acidic rains. Gases penetrate the human body very easily and can cause lung disease, increase the chance of getting viruses, irritation eyes or skin. Monitoring for this parameter was performed in all four cities. The following will find maps of its spread for the city of Tirana and Shkodra. In Tirana, 84 stations were monitored for 21 sub-zones, while in Shkodra 9 were monitored stations for the pilot area. The highest level of concentration was observed at road junctions where cars stay at the traffic light for a long time. Concentrations for nitrogen dioxide i exceed standards 2-3 times (Albanian and EU standards 0.04μg / m3). It is worth noting that lower values ​​are recorded in parks and green spaces, roads with low vehicle flows and spaces near state institutions.