In many areas around the word, smog has reached extraordinary levels. Some governments have quickly reacted with severe measures in response to the problem.
The word smog is a combination of the words smoke and fog. The term was invented by a Glasgow public health official, Des Voeux.
A Sketch of a Smoggy City.Smog causes a smoky dark atmosphere to arise over cities. It decreases visibility, and creates a haze throughout the area.
Numerous studies have monitored smog throughout the world. Some of the world's dirtiest cities have millions of inhabitants, all of whom are threatened by the smog.
Modern Los Angeles suffers severely from smog, as London did in the 19th century. These two areas released certain chemicals into the air and created a foggy atmosphere. In London, where fog levels have now fallen far below those of years ago, people were often unable to see their hands and sometimes could not walk around.
It took a long time for governments to act to control smog. The Clean Air Act of 1970 in the United States limited legal smog levels. The Environmental Protection Agency now measures levels of smog and regulates smog producers.
Despite government action to reduce them, smog levels remain very high in many cities. Even those areas that do successfully reduce smog may be the victims of smog blown in from other locations.
The word smog is a combination of the words smoke and fog. The term was invented by a Glasgow public health official, Des Voeux.
A Sketch of a Smoggy City.Smog causes a smoky dark atmosphere to arise over cities. It decreases visibility, and creates a haze throughout the area.
Numerous studies have monitored smog throughout the world. Some of the world's dirtiest cities have millions of inhabitants, all of whom are threatened by the smog.
Modern Los Angeles suffers severely from smog, as London did in the 19th century. These two areas released certain chemicals into the air and created a foggy atmosphere. In London, where fog levels have now fallen far below those of years ago, people were often unable to see their hands and sometimes could not walk around.
It took a long time for governments to act to control smog. The Clean Air Act of 1970 in the United States limited legal smog levels. The Environmental Protection Agency now measures levels of smog and regulates smog producers.
Despite government action to reduce them, smog levels remain very high in many cities. Even those areas that do successfully reduce smog may be the victims of smog blown in from other locations.
SMOG CAUSES
Smog is caused by many factors. The smog that enters the atmosphere consists of over 100 chemicals, many coming from different sources.
Particulates present in smog include carbon monoxide, dirt, soot, dust, and ozone. To really create the smog effect, sunlight, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides have to mix together.
Major producers of smog include automobiles, fires, waste treatment, oil production, industrial solvents, paints, and coatings.
Car engines, especially diesel engines, as well as gas stations that allow gas to be leaked out are huge contributors to the smog problem. Gas vapor that gets away from gas pumps contributes to the hydrocarbons needed to form smog. Diesel engines emit particles of soot that enter the atmosphere.
Lead is also a major problem, especially when found in gasoline that is combusted in automobiles. Though the US now uses unleaded gas, Third World, nations remain dependent upon cheaper leaded gas.
Today, the smog problems created by cars are becoming increasingly severe. As gas prices decline, consumers are buying cars that use more gas, and hence pollute the atmosphere to a greater extent.
Particulates present in smog include carbon monoxide, dirt, soot, dust, and ozone. To really create the smog effect, sunlight, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides have to mix together.
Major producers of smog include automobiles, fires, waste treatment, oil production, industrial solvents, paints, and coatings.
Car engines, especially diesel engines, as well as gas stations that allow gas to be leaked out are huge contributors to the smog problem. Gas vapor that gets away from gas pumps contributes to the hydrocarbons needed to form smog. Diesel engines emit particles of soot that enter the atmosphere.
Lead is also a major problem, especially when found in gasoline that is combusted in automobiles. Though the US now uses unleaded gas, Third World, nations remain dependent upon cheaper leaded gas.
Today, the smog problems created by cars are becoming increasingly severe. As gas prices decline, consumers are buying cars that use more gas, and hence pollute the atmosphere to a greater extent.
SMOG EFFECTS
When an area becomes covered in smog, the people feel the effects immediately. Unlike other problems, which may be harder to understand and visualize, smog creates immediate problems that everyone will experience.
Smog creates many harmful health effects. It can cause anything from minor pain to deadly diseases such as lung cancer. Smog slowly ruins people's lungs to an extent as great as that of cigarettes.
The human body has difficulty defending itself against the harms of smog. Smog can irritate and inflame pulmonary membranes, causing chest pains, coughing, and throat irritation. Other illnesses such as colds and pneumonia can also be brought on by exposure to smog.
People with asthma problems are under an even greater threat. Even minor exposure to smog may cause these people to get asthma attacks.
Mexico City has the world's worst levels of smog. As a result, children and the elderly are advised not to live in the city. The heavy smog levels have had serious health effects in the city, though many poorer people who need city jobs have to live there and suffer from the smog.
Smog is not only a city problem. As smog levels increase, winds are carrying smog away from urban areas and harming people and ecosystems far away.
Agriculture is also hurt by smog. Soybeans, wheat, tomatoes, peanuts, lettuce, and cotton are all subject to infection when exposed to smog.
Smog creates many harmful health effects. It can cause anything from minor pain to deadly diseases such as lung cancer. Smog slowly ruins people's lungs to an extent as great as that of cigarettes.
The human body has difficulty defending itself against the harms of smog. Smog can irritate and inflame pulmonary membranes, causing chest pains, coughing, and throat irritation. Other illnesses such as colds and pneumonia can also be brought on by exposure to smog.
People with asthma problems are under an even greater threat. Even minor exposure to smog may cause these people to get asthma attacks.
Mexico City has the world's worst levels of smog. As a result, children and the elderly are advised not to live in the city. The heavy smog levels have had serious health effects in the city, though many poorer people who need city jobs have to live there and suffer from the smog.
Smog is not only a city problem. As smog levels increase, winds are carrying smog away from urban areas and harming people and ecosystems far away.
Agriculture is also hurt by smog. Soybeans, wheat, tomatoes, peanuts, lettuce, and cotton are all subject to infection when exposed to smog.
SMOG SOLUTIONS
Smog can be decreased by limiting those processes that create it. In the United States, where huge amounts of smog are produced, action is being taken to reduce smog levels.
Governments are combating smog in several ways. Laws are encouraging producers of automobiles to develop cars that produce less smog, and chemical companies are being watched over and restricted from producing certain harmful substances.
In addition to national solutions which often deal with large plants that produce smog, local and individual efforts are underway as well.
Many communities and their governments are attempting to restrict usage of dangerous products such as barbecues, house paint, and kitchen cleaners.
In Denver, Colorado, the second most polluted US city after Los Angeles, several innovative measures have been taken in an attempt to decrease smog. The government has requested that people not drive to work at least one day a week, encouraged use of oxygenated fuels, and experimented with fuels that create less smog.
Not to be outdone, Los Angeles' city council came up with a long list of measures aimed at reducing smog. They decided to require carpooling, offer free bus services, and create many environmentally-friendly regulations for homes.
Research is being done to find less harmful alternatives for many smog-producing processes. Scientists and corporations are testing new fuels from new sources and trying to replace other products that create problems as well.
In the future, many cities and countries will realize that they need to follow the examples set by cities like Denver and Los Angeles. Hopefully, they will not have to acquire those cities' high smog levels before taking action.
Governments are combating smog in several ways. Laws are encouraging producers of automobiles to develop cars that produce less smog, and chemical companies are being watched over and restricted from producing certain harmful substances.
In addition to national solutions which often deal with large plants that produce smog, local and individual efforts are underway as well.
Many communities and their governments are attempting to restrict usage of dangerous products such as barbecues, house paint, and kitchen cleaners.
In Denver, Colorado, the second most polluted US city after Los Angeles, several innovative measures have been taken in an attempt to decrease smog. The government has requested that people not drive to work at least one day a week, encouraged use of oxygenated fuels, and experimented with fuels that create less smog.
Not to be outdone, Los Angeles' city council came up with a long list of measures aimed at reducing smog. They decided to require carpooling, offer free bus services, and create many environmentally-friendly regulations for homes.
Research is being done to find less harmful alternatives for many smog-producing processes. Scientists and corporations are testing new fuels from new sources and trying to replace other products that create problems as well.
In the future, many cities and countries will realize that they need to follow the examples set by cities like Denver and Los Angeles. Hopefully, they will not have to acquire those cities' high smog levels before taking action.
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