What meteorological condition is primarily associated with air pollution disasters?

The primary meteorological condition associated with air pollution disasters is a temperature inversion. During a temperature inversion, a layer of warm air traps cooler air at the surface, preventing it from rising. This phenomenon can lead to the accumulation of pollutants in the lower atmosphere because they cannot disperse as they normally would. As a result, cities or regions under a temperature inversion can experience significant increases in smog and harmful air quality, as the trapped pollutants linger and concentrate.

In contrast, increased industrial production can contribute to air pollution but does not directly create the meteorological conditions that exacerbate it. Similarly, the shutdown of a power plant would generally decrease emissions, thus improving air quality rather than worsening it during an air pollution disaster. High winds can disperse pollutants and improve air quality, rather than contributing to the buildup of pollution. Therefore, a temperature inversion is uniquely crucial in understanding how meteorological factors can directly lead to severe air pollution events.