Dangers of Smog

Smog is a term created by combining the words smoke and fog; it describes pollutants that are low in the atmosphere which can create a visible haze. Smog typically forms in highly industrialized areas where a large amount of particulates are released into the air, such as large cities. Smog presents dangers to human health and the environment, and governments have increased measures to combat smog in recent years.

Health Impacts

• Smog can have significant negative impacts on human health. According to the EPA, smog can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, irritation in the throat and chest pain. Over time, the effects of smog may decrease lung function. This irritation can make it difficult to exercise in smoggy conditions, since exercise demands heightened lung function. The EPA also states that smog can potentially aggravate the effects of asthma and increase the likelihood of asthma attacks. In serious cases, smog can contribute to inflamed or damaged lungs. It is also possible that there are other negative health effects to smog that are not fully known or understood, but the EPA claims that scientists speculate that smog can exacerbate chronic lung conditions. According to UC Berkeley, smog can have carcinogenic effects, which could increase the chances of developing lung or throat cancer.

Pervasiveness

• Another dangerous quality of smog is its pervasiveness. Since smog exists in the air of large population centers, it is often difficult to avoid its effects. The danger level of smog can be different depending on the time of day and wind conditions, but if you live in a city with smog, it will probably not be possible to avoid it at all times. Many workers commute to a city center in automobiles, yet automobiles are one of the primary causes of pollution in some cities, and city centers often have higher levels of pollution than outlying areas. Staying indoors and avoiding exercise during periods of especially bad air quality may help reduce the negative health impact.

Environmental Effects

• Smog can damage the health of other organisms that breathe it besides humans, including plants. According to UC Berkeley, smog can cause discoloration, damage and loss of leaves which can inhibit photosynthesis. It also states that smog can cause premature plant aging, and that it is likely to cause over $2 billion in damage to the agriculture industry each year. Air pollutants in smog can also change the pH of rainwater, leading to acid rain that can damage plant and animal ecosystems. Similar to the health impacts of smog, some negative environmental impacts are likely to be unknown.