Photo chemical Smog

History

• In 1306, concerns over air pollution were sufficient for Edward I to (briefly) ban coal fires in London
• In December 2005, schools and public offices had to close in Tehran, Iran and 1600 people were taken to hospital, in a severe smog blamed largely on unfiltered car exhaust.

History cont.

• The Great Smog of 1952 darkened the streets of London and killed approximately 4,000 people in the short time of 4 days (a further 8,000 died from its effects in the following weeks and months). Initially a flu epidemic was blamed for the loss of life.

Definition
photo chemical smog- the chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere, which leaves airborne particles and ground-level ozone.

Facts

• About 150 million Americans live in areas that don't meet federal air quality standards.
• Most smog is in sunny and dry areas such as Arizona and California.

what actually happens?

• O3 + NO »»» NO2 + O2 NO + RO2 »»» NO2 + other products
• NO2 + sunlight »»» NO + O
• O + O2 »»» O3
• O + O2 »»» O3

Current California Smog Law

• Most cars are required to have an annual smog check
• repairs are needed for any car that doesn't pass

Exemption list

• diesel powered 1997 year model and older weighing over 14,000 lbs
• gasoline powered 1975 year model or older
• electric vehicles
• natural gas powered with a GVWR over 14,000 lbs
• motorcycles

Main Sources

• The main unnatural sources of these precursors are pollutants released directly into the air by gasoline and diesel-run vehicles, industrial plants and activities, and heating due to human activities.

Effects of Photochemical Smog

• respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis increase.
• 30,000 premature deaths occur each year are caused by the particulate matter.
• Harms the agriculture along with the animals.
• A serious danger to elderly, toddlers, and ill.

Solution to Reduce

• Fixed Law:
• All vehicles must be checked (no exemptions)
• Vehicles must be checked every oil change (approx. 2000 miles)
• when buying a vehicle, it must be checked on checkout

Solution to Reduce

• Must be added in order to complete combustion reaction:
• ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
• Burner
• note: these efforts are in no way harmful to the enviroment.
• individuals' contribution: make sure cars are equipped with the burner and get a regular smog check

Unfuturistic Outlook

• 10 years: carbon emissions go up at an exponential rate.
• 100 years: acidity in soil have made it impossible to plant crops and the burden on hospitals have become too much.
• 1000 years: ground level ozone has increased dramatically and agricultural yield has decreased steadily. Health effects are evident and detrimental.

Societal Views

• Economists: prices of cars will go up slightly (approx. $300 extra)
• Environmentalists: drastic environmental improvement.

Sources

• Cleaning up the Air. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2015, from http://www.arb.ca.gov/knowzone/students/airpollu/airpolpage/cleanup.htm Gow, T., & Pidwirny, M. (1996, October 17). ...Living Landscapes... Retrieved May 16, 2015, from http://dwb4.unl.edu/Chem/CHEM869J/CHEM869JLinks/royal.okanagan.bc.ca/mpidwi... Photochemical Smog. (n.d.). Retrieved May 15, 2015, from https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/... Smog Information. (2011). Retrieved May 15, 2015, from https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/smogfaq Ways to Reduce Air Pollution. (2014, October 28). Retrieved May 15, 2015, from http://epa.gov/oaqps001/peg_caa/reduce.html What is Smog? (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2015, from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/SmogPollution.php