heatwaves, floods, and droughts. Indirect effects include increases in infectious disease, weather- 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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