What is photochemical smog?

Photochemical smog is a fog that is not caused by air humidity. It is a form of white smoke that seriously affects people's vision and health.

Mechanism of photochemical fog formation

The surrounding fog is formed by NOx, CnHm gases emitted from motor vehicles, industrial wastes. Under the effect of the sun, these two substances cause chemical reactions to produce ozone (O ₃ ), aldehydes, Nitricperoxyd acids are extremely harmful to human health.

When the concentration of NOx and CnHm in the air is high, the air is not able to accumulate, and the sun shines violently, photochemical smog occurs.

In the stratosphere, O ₃ has the effect of protecting the earth from ultraviolet rays. However, when near the ground, high concentrations will kill plant tissue, affect trees, affect biomes or, reduce agricultural productivity. Especially harmful to human health.

Photochemical smog can be understood as a form of air pollution, affecting organisms and humans.

Typically, ozone near the ground often occurs in polluted cities. because _O3 is formed by engines that release nitrogen oxides and other volatile organic compounds that interact with sunlight.

Thus, photochemical smog can be understood as a form of air pollution that seriously affects living organisms and humans.

The consequences of photochemical smog can be caused

A photochemical fog occurs, causing reduced vision. More harmful is the harmful effect on human health. This phenomenon is a decrease in lung function, causing respiratory diseases, tissue cell death and cancer. Photochemical smog consumes fuel, causing damage to crops.

Human health

Humans living in environments with prolonged photochemical smog can suffer from respiratory diseases. This is also one of the causes to increase the incidence of respiratory disease today.

Lung function is impaired and the lung is severely damaged. Humans are exposed to polluted air, the lungs will have to work much, overload, toxic substances can accumulate. Meanwhile, lung tissue damage, long-term lung aging occurs, causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The risk of bronchitis, persistent cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, bronchial asthma.

Pulmonary edema, spasms, respiratory paralysis due to inhalation of toxic gases. Long-term, bronchial and lung seriously injured, increasing the risk of cancer for humans.

Natural flora

The ecosystem in the natural environment is seriously affected. Low-level ozone will cause damage to plant tissues. Such as:

Destroying leaves, reducing growth and development of the entire flora. Plants lose their ability to defend themselves against pathogens and insects. More hazardous can be destroyed plant life.

Plants sensitive to ozone such as tomatoes, spinach . brown spots on the leaf surface, then turn yellow.

Thus, photochemical smog that lasts for a long time, will increase the concentration of O3 gas, leading to destruction of flora and serious impact on human health. Therefore, it is necessary to have methods to overcome and prevent the effects of this phenomenon.

Measures to overcome photochemical fog

The simplest way to reduce photochemical smog is rain and wind.

Rain is the condensation of harmful substances, washed away from the air to bring fresh air.
The wind blowing photochemical fog goes far, the old air will be renewed. However, other places will have to receive photochemical smog with lower concentrations.

Each person should take measures to prevent and minimize the effects of photochemical smog on the body.

Although it is the simplest way, it is not proactive, depending on the weather. Therefore, to prevent and control the photochemical smog, in the long term, it is necessary to reduce the amount of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides emitted from car engines, industrial production processes. This is a difficult problem to study, with appropriate policies today.

Measures to prevent the photochemical smog on dependence cannot be proactive. Therefore, it is best for people to take measures to prevent and minimize the effects of photochemical smog on the body. Some of the following simple measures may be taken:

Planting trees

Trees help polluted air be fresh and more comfortable. To prevent photochemical smog, plant lots of greenery in your living space.

Avoid going outside when it is hot, hot

Sunlight is the factor that causes NOx, CnHm gas to occur chemical reactions to form ozone, PAN and aldehydes. Therefore, when the weather is hot, it is best not to go out to protect your health. If you must go out, you need to be careful of the sun, wearing thick heat-resistant clothing to reduce the effects of photochemical smog.

Wear a mask when going out

Polluted air, to prevent body influence, it is advisable to wear a mask when going out. This is a good habit to protect your health. Should choose a high dust-proof mask.

Add more vegetables, fruits

Scientific diet, full of nutrients helps strengthen the immune system, better health protection. Eat more fruits and vegetables, limit eating processed foods. Thereby, reducing a portion of harmful emissions released into the environment.

Above is the information on photochemical smog phenomenon. Everybody should pay attention to have better health protection precautions!

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