smog is caused due to

"Facilities Development Manual." For industries, the use of renewable energy sources and the manufacturing of environmentally friendly consumer products are fundamental. In some countries, the burning of the agriculture field can also contribute to the smog problem. For instance, to get rid of old crops and waste material generated from farming practices, farmers often burn it since it is a convenient way to do so. Smog is a visible form of air pollution that often appears as a thick haze. The severity of smog is affected by geography and weather. Urban Air Pollution Skyrockets as California Wildfires Burn, The 10 Best Natural Odor Eliminators of 2021, New Study Confirms That Gas Stoves Are Bad for Your Health, What Are Fugitive Emissions? ), Can You Compost Pineapple? Warm temperatures combined with calm winds can cause smog to … These are a few of the factors behind an increasing level of air pollution in the atmosphere. This combination of smoke and fog brought the city to a near standstill and resulted in thousands of deaths. 2020. In the United States, smog affects much of California, from San Francisco to San Diego, the mid-Atlantic seaboard from Washington, DC, to southern Maine, and major cities in the South and Midwest. Summer smog or photochemical is mainly caused due to the formation of Ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere, which is harmful. This results in low production of Vitamin D leading to rickets due to impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the bone marrow. Preventive measures are the best in the very first place. (And Do They Catch Fire? Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The practice was banned as it contributed to the mounting pollution crisis in nearby Delhi and across northern India. Similarly, allergy is hard to prove, but a significant level of air pollution and smog may also increase the probability of allergies. Smog also makes it difficult for people to breathe properly. The smog is expected to continue for few more days. What is Air Quality Index? This also implies a huge increase in consumption and also in emissions. There is no way to get rid of these air pollutants or smog completely out of the atmosphere. These are a few of the factors behind an increasing level of air pollution in the atmosphere. Smog is often caused by heavy traffic, high temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds. The gaseous emissions are the main elements that form smog when acted upon by the sun’s ultraviolet light together with particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. Smog is of two types: photochemical smog – commonly formed in urban areas and originates from elevated levels of hydrocarbon vapors and nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight, and sulfur smog – formed when there is an increased level of sulfur oxides in the atmosphere. (And Ways to Reuse Onion Scraps? Anyone who engages in strenuous outdoor activity—from jogging to manual labor—may suffer smog-related health effects. Sulphurous Smog; It is the mixture of fog , smoke and sulphur dioxide (SO 2) gas. Sulfurous smog, also known as London smog, develops due to high concentration of sulfur oxides in the air. Photochemical smog often has an unpleasant odor due to some of its gaseous components. According to several sources, the term was first coined by Dr. Henry Antoine des Voeux in his paper, “Fog and Smoke,” which he presented at a meeting of the Public Health Congress in July 1905., The type of smog described by Dr. des Voeux was a combination of smoke and sulfur dioxide, which resulted from the heavy use of coal to heat homes and businesses and to run factories in Victorian England., When we talk about smog today, we’re referring to a more complex mixture of various air pollutants—nitrogen oxides and other chemical compounds—that interact with sunlight to form ground-level ozone that hangs like a heavy haze over many cities in industrialized countries.. Emissions from the transportation sector resulting from fossil fuel combustion in cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, and boats are the chief contributors of smog formation. Smog can as well occur due to natural causes like a volcanic eruption and some specific plant life effects. Photochemical reactions: it is the reactions that cause photochemical smog. Smog has serious negative effects on people, plants, and animals. Smog is a common component present in the air of Delhi and highly polluted areas. Smog is a regular problem in Southeast Asia caused by land and forest fires in Indonesia, especially Sumatra and Kalimantan, although the term haze is preferred in describing the problem. He won the Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting. These substances react with moisture, heat, sunlight, and ammonia, among other compounds to form the toxic vapors, particulates, and ground-level ozone that make up smog. Smog was common in industrial areas, and remains a familiar sight in cities today. Smog inhibits the growth of plants and can lead to extensive damage to crops, trees, and vegetation. 30+ Extraordinary Things You Can Do To Save The Ocean, 3. One such strategy is the Air Quality Index (AQI) or the Clean Air Act, which is used for reporting and monitoring the relative concentrations of common air pollutants and ground-level ozone. Larry West is an award-winning environmental journalist and writer. Photochemical smog is the brown mist like layer that is found above the cities. The word “smog” was coined in the early 20th century as a portmanteau of the words smoke and fog to refer to smoky fog, its opacity, and odour. By choosing renewable energy, it helps in the reduction of emissions from power generating plants that heavily depend on fossil fuel. Smog-forming pollutants come from many sources such as automobile exhaust, power plants, factories, and many consumer products, including paint, hairspray, charcoal starter fluid, chemical solvents, and foam plastic products like a disposable cup., In typical urban areas, at least half of the smog precursors come from cars, buses, trucks, and boats., Major smog occurrences often are linked to heavy motor vehicle traffic, high temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds. Weather and geography affect the location and severity of smog. ). “The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (And Is It Bad For Environment). “Smog—Who Does It Hurt? Mostly, the occurrences of smog are associated with the relationship between weather patterns and heavy motor vehicle traffic, industrial and other consumer product emissions. Once scientists figured out what caused smog, the crackdown began: in 1967, a new state air quality agency, the Air Resources Board, was formed. The name smog is a combination of the words smoke and fog. Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with oxides of nitrogen and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. Particulate Matter Properties and Effects on Health. How Does Nitrogen Oxide Pollution Affect the Environment? Smog is composed of a mixture of air pollutants that can endanger human health. The smoke usually came from burning coal. The higher the AQI value for a specific pollutant, the greater the danger to public health and the environment. Physical activity causes people to breathe faster and more deeply, exposing their lungs to more ozone and other pollutants. In most urban areas, more than 50% of smog is formed as a consequence of vehicular emissions. The components are highly dangerous and can cause deadly diseases like Pneumonia and asthma that directly impact our respiratory system. Smog is a mixture of air pollutants—nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds—that combine with sunlight to form ozone. Vehicles and industries constitute the largest contributors to smog-forming pollutants. Environmental Impact of Acrylic Fabric (And Is It Recyclable? A.It tells about the sound pollution. The use of household products that have high levels of volatile organic compounds should be completely avoided. Thousands of premature deaths in the United States, Europe, and Asian countries are linked to the inhalation of smog particles. On this basis, it may prevent the driver or flight controller from reading important signs or signals, thereby increasing the probability of road accidents or even plane crash. Volcanic eruption discharges high concentrations of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter in the air, the two primary constituents for smog formation. It is a mixture of Fog and smoke. (And Is It Biodegradable? Industries only try to meet our demands. The use of environmentally friendly consumer products such as eco-friendly paints, paper, sprays, solvents and plastics, therefore, provides a basis for addressing smog pollution. R.L., and Vyvyan Howard. On the other hand, ground-level ozone, trapped near the ground by heat inversions or other weather conditions, is what causes the respiratory distress and burning eyes associated with smog., The term "smog" was first used in London during the early 1900s to describe the combination of smoke and fog that often blanketed the city. (And Bread Crumbs? The disposal of packaging also exacerbates significant air pollution and smog problem. ), Can You Recycle Laminated Paper? Reducing and Managing Vehicular and Industrial Emissions, 3. The primary precursors are oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, fumes, sulfur oxides and hydrocarbons. But it also can cause lung cancer and heart attacks as it is a primary factor in creating smog… ), Is PVC Pipe Recyclable? Our excessive consumption is the root cause of the generation of huge amounts of waste. Ozone can be beneficial or harmful, good or bad, depending on its location. When crops and vegetables such as wheat, soybeans, tomatoes, peanuts, cotton and kales are exposed to smog, it interferes with their ability to fight infections, thus increasing susceptibility to diseases. Similarly reuse and recycle will also show you a different perspective of life apart from wasteful material consumption and excessive waste generation so that you can contribute your part for a reduction in smog. Smog is composed of a mixture of air pollutants that can endanger human health. A capable and productive energy management system can go a long way in reducing smog, causing pollutants in the air, such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides. Reduction in consumption means less production of our material things, and reduced use of resources and fossil fuels that lead to less air and smog pollution. Use of Environmentally Friendly Consumer Products, negative effects on people, plants, and animals, environmentally friendly consumer products, Can You Compost Onions? Four groups of people are particularly sensitive to ozone and other air pollutants in smog:. Generally speaking, you will know smog when you see it. Increasing Energy Efficiency and Conserving Energy, 4. In South Asia, winter months are extremely smoggy. (And Pineapple Skin? In order to get rid of this waste, a significant fraction of it is burned, which leads to the emission of harmful gases into our atmosphere and transforms into the formation of smog. Various human health problems such as emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung infections, and cancers are caused or exacerbated by the effects of smog. What Does "Unhealthy Air Quality for Sensitive Groups" Mean? This is the "good kind" of ozone. The industrial processes employ a large amount of fossil fuels and resources that need to be extracted for the production of materials and goods. “Smog is a type of air pollutant. Smog in Delhi, the capital of India, is solely attributed to Crop Fires. Acid Rain: What Causes It and What Effects Does It Have? Smog is made up of a combination of air pollutants that can compromise human health, harm the environment, and even cause property damage. The reduced visibility due to smog caused two traffic accidents on motorways in Punjab on Friday, leaving 16 people seriously injured. This situation occurs frequently in Salt Lake City, Utah. Other major health problems that are occurred due to smog and ground-level ozone are eye irritation and breathing issues. The emissions from vehicles and industries, as well as the combustion of wood and coal together with the buildup of certain weather conditions, are the main causal agents of smog. Below are the main causes of smog. ), Can You Compost Pasta? Researchers found cases of allergies present more in regions with high concentrations of smog. Sulfurous smog and photochemical smog are two distinct types of smog recognised so far. How Can You Recognize or Detect Smog Where You Live?Â. It is crucial that we accomplish the transition from conventional to renewable energies at the earliest to save our climate, improve air quality and also to get rid of smog. Buy energy-efficient devices instead of energy-intensive ones to lower energy demand and thus also reduce the smog problem. Burning coal also generates significant amounts of smoke, which leads to smoggy environments. This smog and ozone can lead to several serious health issues. Overpopulation & Excessive Consumption, Authorities Say Australia Wildfires That Already Claimed 25 Lives Will Continue to Burn For Months, Terrible Effects of Smog on Humans, Plants and Animals, Trump Administration Now Set To Erase Obama-Era Lightbulb Standards, 2. Major smog occurrences often are linked to heavy motor vehicle traffic, high temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds. This means wearing masks when you go outside or to use other devices that protect you from the contamination with harmful particles. Smog can be caused either by man-made behavior or also due to natural reasons. What You Need to Know About Ozone and Your Health. Great Smog of London, lethal smog that covered the city of London for five days (December 5–9) in 1952, caused by a combination of industrial pollution and high- pressure weather conditions. In China, Harbin, coal-induced smog contributed to the closure of roads, schools, and airports in the autumn of 2013. (And Pasta Sauce? The use of coal as fuel in heating or power-producing plants discharges high concentrations of sulfur oxides in the atmosphere. Moller, D. History, Change and Sustainability in Chemistry of the Climate System. Various human health problems such as emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung infections, and cancers are caused or exacerbated by the effects of smog. b) Aggravation of asthma: Asthma conditions are severely worsened by smog and can trigger asthma attacks. Ozone in the stratosphere, high above the Earth, acts as a barrier that protects human health and the environment from excessive amounts of solar ultraviolet radiation. Respective meteorological departments can help with this by installing monitoring equipment that consistently records the amount of emission and particulate matter in the air. Therefore, industries equally cause harmful gaseous emissions and fumes released into the atmosphere, which leads to the formation of smog. India's Rashtrapati Bhawan is partly visible due to smog as traffic plies on Rajapth. Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air. We can’t solely blame industries for the smog problem; it is our overpopulation and consumption behavior that is responsible for excessive smog in our atmosphere. ), Is Silicone Recyclable? High concentrations of nitrogen oxides will often give the air a brownish tint. A large amount of dirt and dust particles enter the air, especially in areas with a high construction density. Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxide s and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. The world population has been significantly growing over the past decades. Many people in Kathmandu have experienced a kind of eye soar and suffocation due to the pollution. Furthermore, studies suggest that even as low as 5 μg exposure to smog particulate matter can result in risks of very low birth weights at delivery. In other words, the use of renewable energy not only reduces environmental impacts but also trims down the presence of smog, causing pollutants in the air. Founded Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of providing helpful information related to our rapidly depleting environment. In short, the smog episodes in Beijing have been a combination of continued industrial and residential emissions and unfavorable weather patterns. Farmers and plantation owners are usually responsible for the fires, which they use to … It enacted tailpipe emissions standards for cars. ), Can You Compost Bread? Especially since the industrial revolution period, the smog issue has vastly increased since much more material products are produced which in turn is a big contributor for smog. Nepal’s Meteorological Department has said that the smog was caused due to forest fire in some parts of the country, which has blended with the dust and has caused the poor visibility. c) Breathing difficulties and lung damage: Bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema are some of the lung conditions linked to the effects of smog as it damages the lining of the lungs. Respiratory disorders caused due to smog. Increasing energy efficiency and, at the same time, conserving energy leads to reduced gaseous emissions into the atmosphere that often results in the formation of smog. Buy unpackaged food directly from local farmers or organic food stores instead of conventional stores to further improve your ecological footprint since the transportation of goods implies the use of fossil fuels. Winter smog is caused due to a combination of atmospheric inversions due to low temperatures and emissions from combustion. ), Is Plastic Wrap Recyclable? The effects are worsened by high levels of suspended particulate matter in the air and dampness. Read on to find out more. (And Is It Environmentally Friendly? This, in turn, can lead to the formation of smog and related adverse effects. Ulan Bator is not only one of the coldest capitals on earth, it's also the city … “AQI Toolkit for Teachers.” U.S. Air Quality Index. ), Are Oil Heaters Energy-Efficient? For instance, the Los Angeles creosote bush is linked to smog occurrences in the area. The catalytic converter is a vital part of the emission control system, when this item starts to fail it … When temperature inversions occur (that is, when warm air stays near the ground instead of rising) and the wind is calm, smog may remain trapped over a city for days. As traffic and other sources add more pollutants to the air, the smog gets worse. Due to the fact that temperature regulates the amount of time it takes for smog to form, it can be more severe and form faster on hotter, sunnier days. Such chemical particles include benzene, formaldehyde, and butadiene, which are all comprised of cancer-causing carcinogens causing lung cancer. d) Premature deaths because of respiratory and cancer diseases: An old WHO report indicated that cumulative exposure to smog heightens the chances of premature death from cancers and respiratory diseases. Smog is a kind of intense air pollution caused by a mixture of air and various pollutants in the air. The worst effect of the smog, however, was the respiratory distress it caused in humans and animals, including difficulty breathing and the vomiting of … “A Chronology of Global Air Quality.”  Phil Trans R Soc A, 2020, doi:10.1098/rsta.2019.0314. Unhealthy Air Plagues Our National Parks, Just Like It Plagues Our Cities, 10 Unusual Ways Air Pollution Harms Your Health. Find out now how smog is formed and how you can protect yourself. Smog can cause or aggravate health problems such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems as well as eye irritation and reduced resistance to colds and lung infections.. This kind of visible air pollution is composed of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ozone, smoke or particulates among others (less visible pollutants include carbon monoxide, CFCs and radioactive sources). Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Conserve Energy Future is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Elderly people are probably not at increased risk of adverse health effects from smog because of their age. f) The risk of developing rickets: Heavy smog that lasts for prolonged periods blocks UV rays from reaching the earth’s surface. (And Chocolate Cake? Without the reduction in emissions that has happened due to the virus containment measures, these episodes would simply have been even worse. Below are a few causes, effects and solutions to smog pollution. Amazon and the Amazon logo or trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. A true environmentalist by heart ❤️. To varying degrees, the majority of U.S. cities with populations of 250,000 or more have experienced problems with smog and ground-level ozone.. 2020. “Ground-Level Ozone Basics.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ironically, smog is often more severe farther away from the sources of pollution, because the chemical reactions that cause smog take place in the atmosphere while pollutants are drifting on the wind. This is particularly true in Diwali or New Year’s Eve when a large amount of fireworks are used, and big cities get covered with a dense layer of smog. Around tens of thousands of farmers in northern Indian states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh used to blaze their fields of old rice crop stubble to grow wheat.  Weather and … The ozone in smog also inhibits plant growth and can cause widespread damage to crops and forests. e) Birth defects and low birth weights: Smog is highly linked to birth defects and low birth weight. Smog can also occur due to construction activities.

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