Smog And Haze Phenomenon

Running Head: SMOG AND HAZE PHENOMENON 1

Smog and Haze Phenomenon

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SMOG AND HAZE PHENOMENON 2

Smog and Haze Phenomenon

Smog

A mixture of smoke and fog is referred to as smog. This is fog contaminated by

pollutants from the industries. Smog is produced when stagnant air masses do not disburse.

The pollutants and the atmospheric chemicals such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, get

into the air to form ozone after the photochemical reactions. Ozone, which is colourless and

odourless gas, appears and obscures visibility (Mu & Zhang, 2014).

Formation and Causes of Smog

Smog can be artificial such as those resulting from emission of coal, vehicle exhausts,

emissions from industries, forest fires and burning of wastes from the farms. The ozone

formed may settle near the ground leading to smog which when breathed affects health.

Breathing the ozone causes eye irritation and asthma, and can very seriously affect the

productivity of agricultural areas.

Effects of Smog on Health

When one gets in to contact with ozone content, irritation at the chest and throat can

be experienced resulting in coughing. The high levels of ozone cause irritation of the

respiratory system. This can last for a few hours after exposure to smog. However, the effect

of ozone can be felt even after symptoms disappearance of the irritation. To an asthmatic

individual, this exposure can result in asthma attacks. The effects of ozone on the functioning

of the lungs can complicate deep breathing and eventually cause damage to the lung.

Protection from Smog

To protect yourself and family from exposure to ozone, information about levels of

ozone are very important. It is important to keep checking for risky levels wherever traveling.

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The information on the ozone levels is color-coded for easier identification of the quality of

air in any particular locality.

Haze

This phenomenon also formally called lithometeors is what is formed when very tiny

particles from smoke, dust or droplets of moisture are suspended in the air. This causes

transparent and sometimes reflective dullness on the surface that affects visibility. The wind

carries the particles to the destination where they gather. Through observation, Haze is the

white milky substance in the atmosphere, that when subjected to a bright background will

turn yellow or orange-red. On the other hand, against a dark background, it will appear light

blue. This optical effect is caused by haze particles scattering light.

Formation and Causes of Haze

A haze results after light reflects on the particles, which are airborne and obstructing

visibility in the sky. Sources of haze include particles of smoke from fires, farming during the

dry season, industrial fumes, traffic, and wildfires. The particles suspended forms a cloud-like

low-lying layer of a blanket that compromises visibility. The suspended particles are those

formed during combustion causing dense smoke, which obscures vision.

Effects of Haze on Health

The particles of haze are small in size, and because of this stay suspended longer in

the air as they can be transported easily over considerable distances. This increases the

chances of animals and humans inhaling the particles from the air. Haze can lead to eye

inflammation, nasal and throat irritation and lung tissue inflammation. Symptoms of Haze

include; irritation of the eyes, sneezing or running nose, coughing, dizziness, and feeling of

helplessness. However, in the long-term, exposures increase mortality and the risk of death

through cardiovascular diseases or even abortion in expectant mothers (Wang et al., 2016).

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Protection from Haze

Symptoms of haze can be mild depending on the sensitivity of an individual and can

disappear fast. However, patients with respiratory and heart conditions may experience

serious effects. The surest means to avoid exposure to haze and its effects is to limit contacts

and stay indoors.

SMOG AND HAZE PHENOMENON 5

References

Mu, M., & Zhang, R. (2014). Addressing the issue of fog and haze: A promising perspective

from science and technology. Science China. Earth Sciences, 57(1), 1.meteorological

Wang, Y., Sun, M., Yang, X., & Yuan, X. (2016). Public awareness and willingness to pay

for tackling smog pollution in China: a case study. Journal of Cleaner

Production, 112, 1627-1634.

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