Smog and our lives

 

With the onset of winter, we see that there is haze and smoke in the air everywhere, due to which educational institutions are closed, people are instructed to wear masks. Children are forbidden to play outside. The same term is heard on television, newspapers and social media that it is smog. Protect yourself from smog and take safety measures. Smog has been declared a scourge.

 The thing to understand is what smog actually is, can it affect health and life, how smog is formed, what science says about it?

“Smog”

"Smog" or "smoke fog" is a type of heavy air pollution. The word smog was chosen in the early twentieth century. The words 'smog' and 'fog' were combined to refer to smoky fog due to haziness and smell.

Dr. Henri Antoine Des Vaux first used the term "smog" in English in 1905 when he presented his paper "Fog and Smoke" at the Public Health Congress meeting in London. He coined the term "smog" by combining the words "smoke" and "fog."

What is smog?

Smog originated in the early 20th century as a combination of smoke and fog. Although smoke contains hundreds of different chemicals, the ones that are visible to us are ash, tar, carbon, and oil. On the other hand, smog, usually referred to as haze, is a mixture of smoke and fog.

In 2011, it was defined as a combination of ground-level ozone and other pollutants. Smog is formed when organic compounds and nitrogen oxides react chemically with sunlight to form ozone. These harmful substances are frequently released into the air by power plants, hairspray, and vehicle exhaust. This indicates that smog is an atmospheric chemical toxin. We are shielded from the sun's harmful UV rays by the ozone layer in the atmosphere, yet ozone is hazardous when it is close to the ground.

Large population centres and metropolitan areas are the primary locations for smog. Smog is a general term for a variety of airborne pollutants that are produced by various mechanisms unique to the atmospheric conditions in the area where they originate.

Types of smog

There are two types of smog.

1.Sulfurous smog

2.Photochemichal smog

1. Sulphurous smog

A sulphur-containing fossil fuel, particularly coal, is the source of the excessive concentration of sulphur oxide in the air, which is known as "London smog" or sulphurus smog. This kind of smog is exacerbated by high moisture and airborne particle concentrations.

2.Photochemichal smog

"Los Angeles smog," sometimes referred to as photochemical smog, is most prevalent in cities with heavy traffic. It doesn't need the use of fog or smoke. This kind of smog is produced by nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon vapours released by cars and other sources. The lower atmosphere then experiences photochemical interactions with the nitrogen oxides and vapours.

When nitrogen oxide combines with hydrocarbon vapours in the presence of sunlight, it produces the extremely poisonous gas ozone, and it also produces some nitrogen dioxide.

When surface ozone concentrations above 70 parts per billion for a minimum of eight hours, they are deemed harmful. Such circumstances are typical in urban areas where photochemical haze is a problem.

The difference between smog and fog.

Smog	Fog
Fog and smoke combine to form smog.	Fog is a natural phenomenon.
Smog is a mixture of harmful, toxic gases.	On the surface of the Earth, fog is a form of cloud that has little water droplets in it.
Artificial rain can temporarily eliminate smog.	The duration of fog in the atmosphere is up to several hours.
Smog is very dangerous for health.	Fog is not dangerous for health.
Smog is yellowish and dark brown in color	Fog is white in color.

 

Smog affects human health.

Human health is severely impacted by smog; breathing in contaminated air poses a major risk to health; and breathing becomes difficult. Serious diseases are becoming more likely. Lung cancer is also brought on by toxic air.

Air pollution, smog exacerbates respiratory conditions like asthma and lung disorders, worsens blood circulation issues, and increases illnesses of the throat, eyes, and nose. In addition, smog is contributing to a rise in skin ailments and problems with the central nervous system.

Rich levels of smog significantly lower UV exposure, which in turn lowers the natural vitamin D production that causes rickets in humans.

Smog effects the environment

Smog is a visible form of environmental  pollution. Not only does pollution harm human health, but it also negatively impacts the ecosystem.

1.   It affects the production of vitamin D and reduces ultraviolet radiation.

2.   As we all know, It is possible for plants to absorb carbon dioxide. Regretfully, plants absorb less carbon dioxide the more harmed and impacted they are by smog or air pollution. It so enters the atmosphere and depletes the ozone layer. Climate change and global warming are accelerated by this.

3.   Forests and crops are damaged due to smog.

4.   It may cause creatures that are unable to adjust to a changing climate to go extinct.

5.   Smog components reduce visibility in the air and on roads, leading to road accidents and flight cancellations.

 

Actions and precautions to be taken to combat smog

 

If we all adjust our behaviour and take measures in our daily lives, we can lessen the consequences of smog, but each of us must contribute in some small way.

·        Avoid driving

 

·        Get into the habit of walking

 

·        Do not burn or dispose of waste in open air

 

·        Refuel automobiles and motorbikes during the cooler hours of the day, at night or early in the morning, this prevents the gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone.

 

·        Use less paints and cleansers with volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

 

·        The government ought to take action against these industries as well as factories that discharge hazardous substances into the atmosphere.

 

·        Avoid vehicles emitting smoke and strict action should be taken against such vehicles.

 

·        Avoid burning wood and tires

 

·         Minimize outdoor activities when smog levels are high

 

·        Encourage government programmes and initiatives aimed at reducing haze and pollution.

 

·        Use air purifiers to maintain a clean environment, especially in bedrooms and living areas.

 

·        Make it a habit to use a mask when going out of the house. By doing this, you can avoid many diseases. N95 or P100 masks can help filter harmful particles when going out in highly polluted areas.