Smog

Smog is a type of air pollution. The word smog comes from the blend of two words, smoke and fog. Smog can form in any climate where there is a lot of air pollution especially in cities where this is substantial amount of transport and factory pollution. Smog stays for a long period of time in a densely populated city or urban areas such as London, New York, Los Angeles, São Paulo, Mexico City, Houston, Toronto, Athens, Beijing, Hong Kong and Seoul can build up to dangerous levels. effect

Problems with smog before 2008 Olympics, China

This photo was taken early in the morning, just before the morning rush hour in Beijing

LONDONLondon is known for its smog since the roman times. This city is also known for ‘Great smog in London’ which happened in 1952 , where 4,000 people were approximately killed. The current condition in London is better than 1952, but there is still a substantial amount.

MEXICO CITYSince Mexico is located in the highlands the cold air drops into the urban areas trapping all the industrial and transport pollution under it. This has caused Mexico to be one of the most famous smog countries.

LOS ANGELESBeing surrounded by mountains Los Angeles is quite similar to Mexico. One main reason for this smog is because of the millions of vehicles in the city and the lack of public transport and the people’s preference of a private transport.

The Great Smog in London

SOUTHEAST ASIASmog is very common in this part of Asia, usually caused by forest fires in Indonesia. The farmers are often responsible for these fires since they need more land to farm on. This effects other countries like Brunei, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. The southwesterly winds blow the smoke across the Straits of Malacca into these countries.

Left- air on a day after rain. Right- air before the rain

CAUSES•Volcano eruption emits high level of sulfur dioxide• Burning of fossil fuels• Pollution from vehicles and industries• Manufacturing of chemicals

HEALTH HAZARDS• Burning in eyes• An irritated throat • Breathing difficulties• Long term exposure to smog can cause cancer• Death

SOLUTIONS• Smog can be decreased by limiting those processes that create it• Develop cars so that they produce less smog• Restrict usage of dangerous products such as barbecues, house paint, and kitchen cleaners.• Carpooling and offer free public transport

EPA, Air and Radiation, visited on 23rd September, http://www.epa.gov/air/basic.html

Caroline, The Environment, A Global Challenge, copyright 1999 http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/smog.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smog, 23rd September