Satellite images reveal the disaster of Chinese air pollution

Heavy pollution caused China to be covered by thick haze and authorities had to issue a red alert, the highest warning level for low air quality in Beijing's capital.

Air pollution seen from satellites

According to Live Science, recent satellite imagery shows that the haze of clouds covering northeastern China is so visible from space. The photo was taken by Satellite Suomi NPP of the US Aerospace Agency (NASA) on November 30.

Almost immediately after the photo was published, Chinese authorities issued orange alarms for heavy pollution with the Air Quality Index (AOI) in the range of 201-300. However, on December 7, they had to raise the red alert. This is the first time that China has issued a red alert on air pollution, indicating that the AQI index exceeded 300. Millions of people are advised to stay indoors, restricted driving and a ban on outside cooking. God.

Gray smoke smoke covers Beijing (star marker) in satellite photos.(Photo: NASA).

At the time of the satellite shooting photographs, the density of airborne particulate matter was 666 micrograms per cubic meter of gas, according to the ground sensor at the US Embassy in Beijing. Granular substances are molecules less than 2.5 micrometers suspended in the atmosphere.Most of these particles come from burning fossil fuels such as coal or biochemicals such as wood and agricultural by-products. In particular, coal releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ ) into the air when it burns.

SO ₂ combines with water vapor to form sulfuric acid and sulphate compound. When sulfuric acid reacts with water in the air, it forms acid rain that is harmful to the environment, according to the US Geological Survey. The sulphate molecule also reflects the solar radiation, creating a cooling effect in contrast to the greenhouse effect that absorbs radiation and warms the Earth.

However, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), many sulfate compounds in the air, especially dimethyl sulfate , are dangerous to human health. Molecules smaller than 2.5 micrometers are more noticeable because they are small enough to penetrate people's lungs and lead to serious illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) evaluates safe air quality when particulate density is below 25 micrograms per cubic meter of gas. The high particulate density recorded in China on November 30 is 25 times greater due to the safety recommended by WHO.