Tag : Smog

Washington: The University of York researchers have discovered why reducing particle pollution is actually increasing surface ozone pollution in some emerging economies, negatively impacting health, ecosystems and agriculture. The findings, published in Nature Geoscience, challenge established methods for tackling air pollution, the researchers say. Surface ozone is the main component of "smog" and is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). This happens when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react in the presence of sunlight. In the last decade, when countries such as China improved air quality by reducing particle pollution - which is emitted from the burning of coal, steel making, vehicles, and fires - the scientific community was surprised to see ozone pollution increase. Now, the study has shed new light on the relationship between these two pollutants. Policymakers have historically considered ozone and particles as separate problems; however, researchers have shown that in some regions they are closely linked. Some short-lived components necessary to make ozone (peroxy radicals) stick to particle pollution, preventing them from going on to form ozone. As the number of particles decreases, the peroxy radicals become available for reactions and ozone increases. The study modeled the effects of reducing particle pollution and found that it could cause an increase in the ozone of 20-30 per cent in some highly populated areas of India and China. If left unmanaged, this would have a significant negative impact on ecosystems and crop yield. The researchers are calling for new strategies that take t ...