Particles and air pollution, which are referred to by scientists as "aerosols," and which include, for example, soot, dust, and sulfates, have a shorter-lived effect on temperature than greenhouse gases. These particles typically rain out within a week or so because of their size and weight, whereas the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide that accompanies combustion can remain airborne for many decades, potentially even a century. Because carbon dioxide can remain in the atmosphere for such a long period of time, the total level on a global scale can build up substantially over time.

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