Thanks to our readers

Abstract

We began publication of our international journal, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health (AQAH) in 2008. Now, at its ninth year, we are pleased to announce that AQAHwill be publishing eight issues per year rather than six bimonthly issues, starting with this first issue of volume 9. The appropriateness of starting this journal is ever more evident, as air pollution remains a global problem that is worsening in many of the world’s largest cities, and the threat of climate change mounts. We are pleased to receive your submissions on the important topics covered byAQAH and to advise you that the impact of your work continues to rise. The Impact Factor (Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports®) of AQAH was 1.804 in 2014, a level of citation that is not generally achieved so quickly. Presently, the rate of acceptance of all submitted manuscripts is 54 % and the quality of submissions continues to increase. We are very much encouraged by these achievements in such a short period. As we write this note, we find reasons for concern about the health of the atmosphere. Alarming levels of air pollution have been reported in Beijing, which posted its first Bred alerts^ as PM2.5 concentrations remained at several hundred micrograms per cubicmeter for days. The need for solutions is clear, but gains in air quality will be made slowly. However, we are optimistic after the United Nations reached its historic climate agreement in December, 2015. Global problems need global solutions and this accord signals recognition of the need for collaborative global efforts. The research findings of the AQAH authors have helped to characterize these and other problems and to point to opportunities for beneficial interventions.We congratulate you on your work and look forward to your continuing contributions. The AQAH is a truly international journal of research findings from all five continents. We thank our reviewers, associate editors and members of the editorial board for their tireless efforts to foster the growth of the journal. Most of all, we thank all our authors, reviewers and readers for choosing AQAH as your global forum for the advancement of air quality and health sciences. We count on your continued support of our mission.