This blog contains Information about How to Prevent Smog. It also contains the reasons why Smog is dangerous. This also explains the Strategies to prevent Smog. This will be a complete guide for you to avoid extreme symptoms of Smog During the Smog season. You will get to know many things about Smog Prevention in this blog.

1. What is Sulfurous Smog and Photochemical Smog?

Sulfurous Smog is a mixture of Atmospheric pollutants with smoke and dust combined. This phenomena has a natural process to form but this can become worst with Anthropogenic Activities. Smog season is very harmful for all types of living things on Earth. While Photochemical Smog is the smog that forms in the presence of Sunlight through oxidation reaction. The Sulfurous smog is visible to the people but Photochemical Smog is not visible most of the time. But it is equally dangerous than the smog.

The Sulfurous Smog forms in colder temperatures when pollutants are suspended in the air with the help of water droplets. While Photochemical Smog forms in Maximum Sunlight and peak Summers. They both are dangerous in many ways.

2. What are the Harmful impacts of Smog Formation?

Some dangerous properties of Smog and Photochemical Smog are explained below:

Reduce Visibility:

Smog reduce visibility at high levels. The reduction in visibility creates the disturbance in travelling from one place to another. People are exposed to severe accidents due to Zero or reduced visibility. It can also be dangerous for the animals who migrate from one place to another in search of food and shelter. They are unable to see properly and in this way they expose themselves in front of different Hazards.

Damage Plants and Crops:

As we know that Smog is a mixture of Atmospheric Pollutants. When smog reacts with plants and crops, it expose the atmospheric pollutants to the leaves of the plants and crops. This can damage the leaves and it also interferes the Photosynthesis process of plants. They cannot make their food and in severe conditions they die. It also contributes in reducing the yield by damaging crops.

Acid Rain Formation:

Acid rain is the condition in which Air Pollutants and Atmospheric Pollutants comes on the Earth with water. It has serious impacts on all the things that are exposed to it. Acid Rain can form due to Smog. Because it uses the same pollutants to form the rain in the atmosphere. So, the rains during Smog periods are mostly acid rains because the pollutants are already suspended in the Environment.

These are few Dangerous Properties of Acid Rain.

3. What are the Major Health Effects of Smog?

Smog and Photochemical smog can trigger many Health Conditions in humans and animals. Following are some of the Major Health Effects of Smog:

Asthma:

Asthma is a serious lung disease. The people who already have Asthma, feel difficulty in breathing and Smog may also trigger the symptoms of Asthma.

Pneumonia:

Pneumonia is an infection that is caused to your lungs due to bacteria, viruses, or fungi. In the Smog season there are more chances of getting Pneumonia due to Extreme Air Pollution and bad Air Quality.

Lung Inflammation:

Lung inflammation is the condition in which lungs are swollen and irritable. People feel difficulty in respiration and lungs do not work properly. This condition can also occur in Smog Season because of breathing problems.

Chest Infections:

Chest Infections includes all the infections related to Chest region including lungs. Smog increases the chances of getting Chest Infection by making the respiratory system and organs sensitive to the Air Quality.

Cardiovascular Diseases:

Cardiovascular Diseases are related to Heart diseases and diseases related to Arteries. Smog can also increase the chances of Heart problems such as Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack in Smog Season.

Smog can make sick people and older people suffer a lot due to shortness of breathe, Chest infections, Congestion etc. This also cause irritation in Eye, nose and throat and disturb breathing. Many animals and humans die during Smog season due to these health effects of Smog. If we do not take precautionary measures for Smog, we can get any of these diseases and health problems.

Ways to Prevent Smog

4. Which gases are involved in the Smog Formation?

Smog prevention is a very crucial step to Save our Environment and to Save the Earth. We need to understand about the Major cause of Smog Formation at first. The major cause that contributes in Smog Formation is Toxic Air pollutants. These are pollutants are listed below:

  • Tropospheric Ozone
  • Particulate Matter
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Sulfur Oxides

These are the Gases that actively participates in the formation of Smog. The question arise How to prevent these Air Pollution from emitting into the Air?. By cracking this question with introducing Sustainable Strategies, we can Prevent these pollutants and eventually the Smog.

5. What are the Causes of Smog Formation?

Following are the Major Causes of Smog Formation:

These are the main sources that contributes in Smog Formation.

6. How can we Prevent Smog Formation?

To prevent Smog, means to prevent Air Pollution into the Atmosphere. Following are some of the Sustainable Strategies to Prevent Smog:

i. Use Renewable Energy Sources:

The use of Fossil Fuels in Industrial Activity is Non-sustainable for the Environment. As it adds NOx, SOX, COX etc. into the Environment and Atmosphere. The smog increased its intensity after the Industrial Era. So this shows that, humans have contributed in the Smog Formation at a great level. The best way to get rid of Extreme Smog conditions is to use Renewable Energy in place of Fossil Fuel Burning. The renewable energy sources creates negligible amounts of GHGs that are way better than the effects of Fossil Fuel Burning. This can be a sustainable way to prevent Smog.

ii. Promote Electric Vehicles:

The Transportation is a big source of COX, NOx and SOX production in the Environment. The fossil fuel combustion engines emits dangerous amounts of toxic Air Pollutants into the atmosphere every day. And this emission is increasing every year with increase in Population. We should promote and spread awareness about the Advantages of Electric Vehicles. These Vehicles completely relies on Electrical Energy to drive for miles and hours. This can be a sustainable solution for Smog prevention. Many countries have produced Cost-effective Electric Vehicles for people and they have seen reduction in Air Pollution.

iii. Removal of pollutants before Emission:

The Industrial sector is one of the most significant contributor of Air Pollution that involves in Smog formation. The best way to avoid toxic emissions is to install Scrubbers in the Chimneys of Industries in order to remove the harmful pollutants from the emissions before entering into the Atmosphere. Another Sustainable solution is that, we can remove Nitrogen and Sulfur from fuels before using them for the industrial purposes. This can help a lot in reducing the NOx and SOX emissions into the Environment. Both of these ways are suitable and Sustainable to prevent Smog.

iv. Conservation of Energy and Natural Resources:

If we will use less energy and less Natural Resources, the pollution will be reduced. In the present era, most of the pollution is because of excessive energy consumption and inefficient energy appliances. By conserving energy, we can avoid excessive emissions of toxic Air Pollutants. In the same way over-exploitation of Natural Resources can cause pressure on the Natural Environment and produce Air Pollution, Land Pollution and Water pollution. This contributes in the Smog Formation eventually. So the conservation of Energy and Natural Resources is a Sustainable Solution for Smog Prevention.

v. Use Air Purifiers:

Smog is not just dangerous outside of your house. You should take precautions of smog when you are even in your room or indoor. Smog enters into the houses and pollutes the indoor air of the houses. For fighting this condition, we can use Air purifiers in our homes. These Air Purifiers remove the Toxic Air Pollutants from the air and makes the air clean for breathing and surviving. This can help in avoid health problems related to Smog for you and your Family. Air purifiers are the best and Sustainable option to apply during Smog Season.

vi. Avoid Any type of Burning:

The burning of trash, agricultural wastes, wood and other such materials adds intensity to the Smog during Smog season. We should be aware of the Impacts of burning any materials in the Smog season. The best way to avoid it, is to collect the waste and put it on appropriate locations where it cannot disturb you. During smog season, any kind of burning can cause extreme Environmental Conditions including extreme levels of Smog. By avoiding burning we can deal with the Smog Formation by reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This can be a sustainable step towards preventing Smog.

vii. Reduce Light Pollution:

Light pollution is the pollution that is created from artificial light resources. In normal days, light pollution is toxic for people but unfortunately in Smog season, the impacts of Light Pollution becomes worst. The CO2 emissions and other health effects of Light Pollution may be enhanced during Smog Season. We can contribute in reducing the Light Pollution by using Energy Saving Lights, avoid extra use of lights, be careful about utilization of lights during day time etc. By these little efforts we can reduce the impacts of Light Pollution during Smog season. This will also reduce emissions that are part of Smog Formation. This is a Sustainable Solution towards Smog Prevention.

viii. Plant Trees:

Smog is basically the condition of Extreme Air Pollution that is very bad for health of living organisms. As we all know trees are Natural Cleansers of the Air. Trees absorbs CO2, and other Major Air Pollutants and make it fit for the health of living organisms. The best way to fight with Smog Formation, is to increase the number of trees and greenery around you. Urban Areas have less trees and greenery as compared to the Rural Areas. We should promote the Tree Plantation in the Urban Areas and also establish Sustainable Green Spaces and Green Buildings to improve Air Quality Index of the Urban Locations. This will automatically remove Air Pollutants and help in preventing Smog Formation.

These are some of the Sustainable Strategies that you can apply in reducing your contribution in Smog Formation. Other strategies includes Avoiding Deforestation, etc. These are the preventive measures that are useful against the Smog Formation or helps in reducing the Extreme Effects of the Smog on Humans and Environment. The Authorities and Institutions need to work for Educating and spreading Awareness about Sustainable Strategies to prevent Smog Formation. Campaigns and Seminars should be organized for the Awareness of Smog. We can also use different Technologies in order to reduce and prevent Smog Formation such as Smog Tower etc. We should follow these strategies to avoid extreme impacts of Smog.

7. What are the Best Practices for Smog Prevention at home?

Another crucial thing about Smog is that, it cannot be dealt or treated within days. We need to work on it for years to avoid and prevent its extreme Impacts. We should be aware of the precautions and Sustainable ways to protect ourselves from Smog. Following are some of the Sustainable ways to protect us from Smog:

1) Keep doors and windows close:

In order to protect yourself from Smog, you should close the doors and the windows of your houses. This will prevent Smog from entering your houses and causing adverse effects to the Health of yours and your family.

2) Stay hydrated:

The best way to be safe from smog is to drink a lot of Water during the whole day. This can help in avoiding any respiratory infections, health problems, dizziness etc. You will be safe in this way.

3) Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle:

Schedule a healthy routine including Healthy food, pure water and Exercise etc. A healthy routine will boost your immune system and it will be beneficial for you to fight against Smog.

4) Use Air Purifiers:

As discussed earlier, using Air Purifiers is the best option to keep your indoor Air Quality clean. These Air purifiers will help you and your family breathe properly and avoid extreme effects of Smog.

These are some of the practices to avoid health effects of Smog at home. We should also conserve energy by using Energy Efficient Appliances to avoid unnecessary emissions.

8. How to prevent Health Effects of Smog outdoor?

Now a days we have entered the Smog season and we are exposed to Smog intentionally or unintentionally

1) Wear a Mask:

To protect yourself from Smog, you should wear a mask when you are going on any outdoor location or during walking. This will save you from Respiratory disorder, Lung inflammation, Chest infections etc.

2) Stay Informed:

You should watch news, read articles, or check Air Quality to know the extent of Smog in order to take preventive measures. If you will be unaware, it will be difficult for you to take care properly.

3) Limit Outdoor Activities:

Try to stay at home in Smog Season. Because at home you will feel less discomfort than out of the home. You should not expose you in the smog either it is important for you to go outside.

4) Drive Smart:

Try to travel by sharing vehicles, by walking, or through Public Transport. Because the Air Pollution is the main reason behind Smog Formation. So, we should be aware about Smog Prevention measures for Vehicle Owners.

5) Local Regulations and Standards:

It is the duty of respective Government and Authorities to ensure the Implementation of Local Regulations, vehicle emission standards and ban on Smog Forming activities such as Burning Trash. This will be effective against Smog.

Case Studies on Smog Management:

1: Delhi, India: The city implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) based on air quality and meteorological forecasts. They implemented banning truck entry, restricting construction activities etc.

2: Punjab, Pakistan: The Punjab Environment Protection Council adopted an Air Quality Index (AQI) classification system. It was a good step towards Institutional arrangements and legal frameworks for Smog Prevention.

  • These are few Sustainable ways to avoid extreme impacts of Smog in the Smog Season in your homes al well as outdoor. By following these steps we can prevent the bad impacts of the Smog on our Health. We can also save our family from toxic Air pollutants and Smog, that can cause severe Health impacts to your entire Family. We should take sustainable measures in order to be safe in Smog Season. There is a need of Community efforts for Smog Prevention success.
Prevent Smog

9. Conclusion:

Smog is severe Environmental problem that is taking lives of millions of people every year. Photochemical Smog is equally toxic as the Smog but in different form. The intensity and Impacts of Smog are increasing every year. In order to control Smog, first we need to control the Air pollutant emissions into the Environment. The ways to prevent the Smog formation are Renewable energy use, Avoid Burning things, Removal of Pollutants before Emissions etc. The ways to protect ourselves from Smog are Wearing a mask, Using Air Purifiers, Staying Hydrated etc.

In order to prevent Smog formation we need to work for Years and we should become habitual of taking precautions for the Smog in Smog Season. We need to take it seriously before it get worst and lead the most serious Natural Disasters in the World. Technology can also be a Sustainable and Effective Solution against Smog Formation. The machineries like Smog Tower, low emission vehicles and other Technologies can help us to reduce Smog Pollution and improve Air Quality. We should be very conscious about Smog Prevention.

To learn about more topics, Click the links below:

What is Smog?

Carbon Dioxide CO2

Global Warming

Plant A Tree

Green Energy

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Sustainable Living