This is the 8228th most frequent German word.
jahrelang
"Jahrelang" means "for years" in English.
Here, 'jahrelang' is used as an adverb to describe the duration of time for which the subject worked. It indicates a prolonged period of several years.
Er hat jahrelang für diese Firma gearbeitet.
He worked for this company for years.
In this usage, 'jahrelang' expresses the extended duration of the city's experience with pollution, emphasizing the lengthy temporal aspect.
Die Stadt hat jahrelang unter Verschmutzung gelitten.
The city has suffered from pollution for years.
'Jahrelang' in this sentence highlights the extended period of anticipation and waiting experienced by the subject prior to the described event.