Smog can have various origins and types. Learn the difference between photochemical and sulfurous smog and the main methods to fight them. Smog is a phenomenon induced by a mixture of factors and can therefore be quite unpredictable. Even though knowledge of the problem has increased over the past few decades, it is not uncommon to mistake it for regular fog. The polluting particles cannot always be detected by our senses, as they can be odorless and colorless.
In fact, its implications can be severe, ranging from respiratory problems to heart diseases. According to WHO statistics, more than 6. This demonstrates the scale of the problem and explains why steps towards improving air quality should be treated as a priority by governments. Educating and encouraging citizens to take personal measures is also necessary. Knowing the differences between types of air pollution is crucial for cities to adjust strategies in the fight against smog.
Depending on its origins and characteristics, smog can be either sulfurous or photochemical. Alternative names for these are London smog and Los Angeles smog respectively.
London smog usually appears in colder months. Therefore, cities located close to the equator or in the subtropical sphere are not affected by it.
This type of air pollution emerges as a result of burning coal, the accumulation of particulate matter from industrial activity and a drop in temperature. Fine particulate matter PM 2. These particles arise from vehicle and industrial emissions, road dust, tire wear, construction, wood-burning and agriculture. Fuel combustion and chemical reactions lead to the formation of PM 2. This causes incessant cough, asthma and may even lead to lung cancer. The levels were the highest between Nov 7 and 9, especially at ITO, as it experiences heavy vehicular traffic and is a transit point for intercity travel.
PM 10 dust particles have greater aerodynamic diameter and mostly originate from road dust. Just as in the case of PM 2.
Sulfur oxide is formed by combustion of sulfur-containing fuels in vehicles, gensets or thermal power plants, which use low-quality furnace oil.
Sulfur oxide is converted to H2SO4 or sulfuric acid, when deposited in the nasal linings and leads to severe allergic reactions and may even cause cancer. NOx is generally formed from high temperature oxidation of diatomic atmospheric oxygen in combustion engines or furnaces.
They destroy the ozone layer and cause lung damage, leading to diseases such as emphysema and asthma. Not only outdoor, but also indoor air quality is a great concern since people consider their homes a safe refuge and become carefree. Sources of indoor pollution are VOCs and soot from open air stoves or kerosene stoves; mold and spores from damp places, especially the washroom area, dead skin and insect particles as well as pollen from planted flowers or dust accumulated in blankets and mattresses.
This problem is so common that it has been given a special name: Sick Building Syndrome. Architects are trying to mitigate it by better ventilation, materials and design.
Exposure to such indoor air pollutants may cause allergy, asthma, cardiovascular disease, memory loss, cancer and can be harmful to fetal development. A silver lining, even in this extremely precarious situation, is that Delhi is not new to facing problem of worsening air quality. However, owing to its geography, demographics and industrial areas, Delhi has become experienced in ad-hoc and long-term mitigation strategies.
Action to tackle a problem can be of two types, preventive and punitive. The Supreme Court has been at the vanguard of this fight. Back in , it had directed all the hot mix plants, emitting noxious fumes, to be relocated out of Delhi.
Catalytic converters were introduced in cars in to reduce toxicity in pollutants released by vehicle exhausts. Petroleum coke and furnace oil were banned in in Delhi, however, industrial units in NCR kept using them. At that time, it seemed like a very expensive undertaking.
The SC went a step further by banning registration of all diesel SUVs over cc and mandating that all commercial taxis also be converted to CNG by It was not only the judiciary, which is trying to reduce the pressure of air pollution on the city, but the executives, too, are taking preventative actions.
Delhi government had introduced emission control norms for the first time in Since then, the standards have got stricter in the form of pollution control certificates PUC , which must be renewed every three months. Delhi government phased out lead petrol, reduced the amount of benzene in fuel, and introduced low-sulfur diesel to provide vehicles with cleaner fuel. Mitigation measures also involved major infrastructure investments.
The most prominent among them, which also tackles traffic congestion, is the creation of mass rapid transport schemes like Delhi Metro, which has taken lakhs of vehicles off the road. In fact, had phase three of the metro been constructed on time, instead of being delayed for , it could have taken off 1. An air ambiance fund has been created to fund mitigation initiatives from money collected from diesel sales. Recently, despite pressures from certain sections of society, the court, executive and civil society came together to ban even bursting of crackers in Delhi on Diwali to help reduce the famous after Diwali smog.
To spread awareness on the dangers of pollution and its mitigation methods, the Delhi Pollution Control Board conducts routine awareness programs and workshops. Punitive measures include those taken after or during the crisis. Smog formed in this way is known as photochemical smog. Los Angeles is safe to visit. Just ask the 35 million tourists who come here every year. It has a reputation for being somewhat dangerous, yes, but it is also known for being a clean and safe holiday destination.
What is the difference between London smog and LA smog? Category: science chemistry. The London - smog mostly occurring in the winter months consists of a mixture of gaseous and solid aerosoles as well as of natural fog.
The Los Angeles - smog , which is relatively dry, is formed only during sunny sommerdays by photo chemical process. Why is smog bad? Why is smog harmful? What are the main causes of smog? How can we control smog? Everyone can do their part to reduce smog by changing a few behaviors, such as:.
Drive less. How Photochemical smog is formed? What is photochemical smog and its effects? Short Term Effects of Air Pollution. How is smog measured? What are the components of smog? What areas of LA are dangerous? Why is California air quality so bad? What city has the worst air quality? Top 10 Most Ozone-Polluted Cities.
Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif. How bad is smog in LA? How bad is San Bernardino?
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