The paper aims to analyse the main air pollutants considered responsible for most premature deaths and illnesses: particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and ground-level ozone. The research methodology used is based on the analysis and synthesis of information from the scientific literature on air pollution, identification of sources of air pollutants and their implications for human health. The principal research method used in the paper is content analysis. The importance of this publication is to expand and improve the content of the literature in the domain. The contributors point out that air pollution is currently the highest environmental risk affecting human health. Every year, this type of pollution causes around 400,000 premature deaths in the European Union and causes various illnesses: respiratory, strokes and lung diseases, cardiovascular, liver and blood diseases. Emissions of air pollutants are mainly the result of human actions: heating of homes, road transport, the energy sector, industry, agriculture and others in much smaller proportions. The authors' investigation revealed that, in overall terms, air quality has not improved with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In conclusion, the authors highlight the need for environmental policies that contribute to reducing emissions and improving air quality, intending to further safeguard human health and the environment.