Winter is associated with cozy sweaters, steaming hot food, and unfortunately smog. Smog spreads like a plague throughout our wonderful planet, making us sick and preventing us from really appreciating the winter. Sadly, this problem is only going to get worse, as in 2022, the United States alone generated around 66 million tons of pollution into the atmosphere, and unfortunately, it's only on the rise as countries continue to utilize fossil fuels, burn forests etc. Imagine what this would look like globally! Although I'm sure you are well aware of the harmful consequences of smog on health, have you ever pondered what the science behind smog is, why it's so common, and how to utilize science to stop it? Let's investigate this fascinating aspect of smog.
Smog is formed by mixing air with pollutants and exhaust gases resulting from our own actions. The factors which are responsible for this include industrial factories, an increasing number of vehicles and other activities that include burning fossil fuels. So what are the pollutants that result in this gray and ghastly fog? Let’s find out!
Carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide/trioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are all responsible for the existence of smog. Oxides of nitrogen play a vital role in the formation of smog. Nitrogen dioxide photochemically dissociates and produces nitric oxide and ozone. A series of reactions of volatile organic compounds produce substances that combine with oxides of nitrogen to produce peroxyacytylnitrate (PAN), a major constituent of smog.
Ozone and Particulate Matter (PM2.5) are another powerful combination that contribute to the rampant spread of the suffocating brown haze over cities worldwide. PM2.5 are particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers which means that they can easily be inhaled and thus, can enter our blood. These particles are also emitted through industrial activities like most other pollutants.
It is also important to note that this pollution is more intense during winters, but why? This can be explained by the fact that cool air sinks and warm air rises. In summers, warm air rises and takes the pollutants out of the immediate troposphere. While in winters, the cool air sinks and the pollutants are closer to the surface, making the impacts of pollution severe.
Smog is a serious environmental issue that poses detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. Breathing in smoggy air can lead to respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and aggravated asthma. Prolonged exposure to smog has been linked to more severe health conditions like lung cancer and heart diseases. Additionally, smog contributes to environmental degradation by harming plants and ecosystems, reducing visibility, and impacting climate patterns. It's crucial for us to address this problem collectively through sustainable measures to safeguard our health and preserve the environment.
There are many ways that we can minimize the effects of this modern-day plague but for that we must become the catalyst for change and ensure it takes place on every single level. Perhaps the most popular way professionals encourage individuals to combat smog and air pollution is to urge them to cut down on the use of carbon emitting vehicles like cars; this is also the way most people ignore and hence, end up contributing to a heinously large hidden cost everyday, in the form of carbon emissions that amount to a formidable amount over time and become one of the largest contributors to smog. To solve this issue, people can either carpool, use public transport, use electric vehicles, or find another sustainable mode of transport, in order to cut down on these emissions.
‘Reuse, reduce, recycle’- a phrase many of us have heard before and a phrase that if put into effect could be a significant factor in reducing air pollution and hence reducing smog. This phrase exists on a spectrum and can range from corporations switching to more renewable fuel, something that is essential if we are to move away from the burning of fossil fuels, to individuals reusing and reducing waste so there is less waste to be burnt in a landfill.
Thirdly on a larger scale, aside from corporations switching to more renewable energy, the products themselves need to be modified to minimize harmful chemicals which then contribute to air pollution; this can range from making devices that use energy more efficiently to making more eco friendly products like eco friendly paints. The government should also be encouraged to have smog detectors in places and should be encouraged to put in place legislations that encourage corporations and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint.
Lastly, in places that already have an abysmal air quality index, people need to wear masks in order to protect their health. For some, these changes might be too much to make to their lifestyles but regardless, everyone needs to do their part in combating smog if we are to save our health and our planet from the adverse effects of smog.
In short, smog happens when we burn stuff like gas and oil, creating a mix of yucky air. This dirty air, full of things like carbon monoxide and chemicals, forms a haze over cities. It's worse in winter when the cold air keeps the pollution close to the ground, making it harmful to our health and nature. To fix smog, everyone needs to help. We all need to work together to stop smog, in order to keep our air and planet healthy because in the end we are the ones who will benefit from this cause and we are the ones that need to take action as soon as possible!
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