apes 7.2 smog

Photochemical smog

is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic hydrocarbons react with heat and sunlight to produce a variety of pollutants

Nitrogen oxide

is produced early in the day.

higher in the summer because ozone is produced by chemical reactions between oxygen and sunlight

Ozone concentrations peak in the afternoon and are

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

such as formaldehyde and gasoline, evaporate or sublimate at room temperature. Trees are a natural source of these

urban areas because of the large number of motor vehicles there.

Photochemical smog often forms in

Decreasing the number of vehicles on the

road decreases NO2 emissions

Fewer vehicles = less gas = fewer VOCs

Carpooling, public transport, biking,

walking, working from home

Photochemical smog can be reduced through

causing respiratory problems and eye irritation.

Photochemical smog can harm human health in several ways, including

Reduces sunlight; limiting

photosynthesis

O3 damages plant stomata and

irritates animal resp. tracts

Env. impacts of smog

Resp. irritant; worsens asthma,

bronchitis, COPD; irritates eyes

Human impacts of smog

Increased health care costs to treat

asthma, bronchitis, COPD

Lost productivity due to sick

workers missing work or dying

Decreased ag. yields due to less

sunlight reaching crops & damage

to plant stomata

Economic impacts of smog

Increased electricity production from

renewable sources that don’t emit NOx

(solar, wind, hydro)

How to reduce smog through energy sources