How Air Pollution and Smog Can Affect Your Health
In addition to the many negative effects of smog, there are also many kinds of smog. Sulphates, nitrates, and ozone at ground level are all types of smog. When it rains, these chemicals become either sulphuric, nitric or carbonic acids and cause acid rain. Breathing these chemicals in while they are in the air can cause cumulative health issues to the respiratory system over time (Andrew E. Dessler 2012). Studies show that ozone damages cells in the lung's airways, causing inflammation and swelling. It also reduces the respiratory system's ability to fight infection and remove foreign particles due to the inflammation not allowing the lungs to function. Ozone may pose a particular health threat to those who already suffer from respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, at the
same time it can permanently damage your brain and heart (Air Awareness). Toxic
compounds, like mercury and lead, poison organ systems and can lead to brain damage and death. Ironically when we pollute the ocean as well, fish ingest levels of mercury and lead, and then people consume them. Smog symptoms during high air pollution days range from eye and nose irritation that can amplify to allergy and respiratory infection, and even Increased cardiac and respiratory deaths, in addition, it can invade the bloodstream and act like cigarette smoke, causing inflammation to make cholesterol more sticky, which leads to an increase risk of heart attacks (Rick Donahue). This in turn,
equals death.
Why Smog Makes the Lorax Angry
In parts of the country where lakes and waterways have been contaminated with mercury from electric power plants, fish are no longer safe to eat because they, too, are contaminated with heavy metal pollutants. Other pollutants, like ozone and particulate matter, cause respiratory and other health problems, particularly in children and the elderly (Cleaner And Greener). Another issue with smog is acid rain, which is caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released by power plants, vehicles, and other sources, which harms plants, animals, and fish, and erodes building surfaces and national monuments. In addition, acidic particles can hurt peoples’ lungs and reduce how far one can see through the air (EPA). Some forms of smog can even have effects on aquatic life, vegetation, and animals (EPA). Possible consequences include melting of polar ice caps, an increase in sea level, and increases in precipitation and severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, heatwaves, floods, and droughts. Indirect effects include increases in infectious disease, weather-related deaths, and food and water shortages. All these effects put stress on ecosystems and agriculture and threaten our planet as a whole (Cleaner And Greener). Smog can weaken plants that are already sensitive and make them more susceptible to disease, habitat stressors, and pests. As a consequence, plants can start dying out and become unable to contribute to the greater ecosystem they inhabit. Low-lying smog can deplete crop yield for important agricultural plants like cotton and soybeans. Smog harms animals as well. Nitrogen oxides in smog can kill fish and algae in water habitats (Fiedler).
How Can We Protect Ourselves Against Smog?
Just by doing simple things a day can help reduce one’s exposure to smog. Using the “AQI” as an index for reporting daily air quality, Indicates how clean or polluted the air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern. Simply being aware of your surroundings can help you, listening to smog forecasts and considering ways to modify daily activities accordingly. Limiting exposure is another good way of protection, on days when ozone levels are high, expose you to a greater likelihood of being harmed by smog if outdoors for longer periods of time. Lastly, changing your environment can make a huge difference, like staying indoors in a smoke-free, air-conditioned environment, while avoiding exercise outdoors, especially from mid-morning to early evening, when smog levels are higher (Tariq).
Smog Around The World
Around the world, many of the worst cities for smog are also the most populous. In China, their smog problem has reached a critical state of emergency and they are even exporting their smog to the US. 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. Because temperature regulates the length of time it takes for smog to form, smog can occur more quickly and be more severe on a hot, sunny day (West). Overall, smog is everywhere and it is unavoidable due to its harmful effects on air quality, and how fast it can travel around the world.
How Can We Get Rid Of Smog or Control it?
Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde developed an electronic vacuum cleaner that can remove smog from urban skies. The concept uses buried coils of copper to create an electrostatic field that attracts smog particles, creating a void of clean air above it. A way of controlling smog is through the use of air quality standards, which are legal limits that identify the maximum pollution levels considered acceptable, such as with The United States Environmental Protection Agency which set state and federal air quality standards, respectively. An air quality standard includes the maximum concentration level and time an air pollutant can be present in the air before it begins to cause health problems. Smog may be controlled by limiting how much air pollution is acceptable, and reduced by cutting back on things like, driving to work and reducing your carbon footprint.
“ Acid Rain can cause severe damage to trees and other forms of vegetation, causing rapid decay, and stripping the trees of their leaves”
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