Several comprehensive publications have been issued recently on the environmental pollution of past times (e.g. Mészáros, 2001). The aim of this study is to give an overview of information on the subject – mainly related to ancient times. Keywords: copper mining, copper pollution of the atmosphere, lead mining, lead pollution of teeth, lead pollution of the atmosphere. Reference t o this paper should be made as follows: Makra, L. and Brimblecombe, P. (2004) 'Selections from the history of environmental pollution, with special attention to air pollution', Int.