Substances discharged into the air, especially gases or particles from vehicles, factories, or other sources. Also refers to the act of producing and discharging such substances.
From Latin 'emissio' meaning 'a sending out,' from 'emittere' (to send out). The modern environmental sense developed in the mid-20th century as industrial pollution became a concern.
The word 'emissions' has become almost synonymous with environmental concern, but it originally just meant 'things sent out' - from light emissions in physics to radio emissions in astronomy. It's fascinating how one Latin root now carries the weight of climate change discussions.
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