Air pollution is the emission of harmful particles such as dusts,  gases,  smokes or bad odor into the atmosphere. It is a major cause of many diseases in Sierra Leone.  The country is presently rated as 17th most vulnerable countries in terms of air pollution. This is because about 95% of the total population uses charcoal or wood as a source of fuel for cooking and other related activities. 

The major sources of air pollution in cities especially the capital Freetown, are exhaust emissions of vehicles, road and building companies, and industrial activities all of which produces harmful gases into the atmosphere. Freetown alone is responsible for the emission of about 60% of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. 

Sierra Leone as compared to many develop countries are not a major contributor of Air pollution but yet still they are amongst the most vulnerable countries to suffer the harmfull effects of air pollution. Most of the harmful emissions comes mainly from domestic sources such as smoke from kitchen, bush fire,  and burning of trashes., dust generated from the ground often in the dry season.  The gases produced are mostly from Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide which are emitted from automobile exhaust pipes.