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Problems With Smog

Smog is a combination term formed from the words "smoke" and "fog." It generally refers to air pollutants formed as a result of fossil fuels---usually within densely populated urban settings. Smog is also a type of ozone at ground level and is characterized by being dark, hazy, and foglike. High amounts of smog can lead to many problems, most notably with the health of people and the environment.

  1. Immediate Breathing and Lung Problems

    • There are many adverse health side effects from smog exposure. As smog is a chemical within the environment, breathing is primarily affected with significant short-term affects upon the lungs. Shortness of breath, painful breathing and coughing can result from smog exposure. High-risk individuals (due to their potentially compromised immune systems) include small children, seniors and those with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma suffers. People---especially those at high risk---are advised to stay indoors during periods of intense smog.

    Long-Term Health Effects

    • Smog not only has immediate effects, but has the potential to cause long-term problems as well. Children are particularly susceptible and are highly vulnerable to air pollution, which can cause long-term lung issues. People living within areas of high concentrations of ozone are more at risk for lung cancer, according to research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Studies showed that although women did not show an increase, males showed an increase of three times the normal risk of developing lung cancer. The discrepancy between males and females is thought to potentially be due to males spending more time outdoors.

    Environmental Pollution

    • Outside of potential short- and long-term health risks that smog poses, it is also harmful to the environment. One of the central reasons smog exists is due to pollution distributed into the environment through the combustion of fossil fuels. Smog pollutes the atmosphere, as well as all the plants and animals that live within it. Smog pollution dissipates into the atmosphere, where it spreads and contributes to problems of global warming. During rainfall, smog can contribute to phenomenon such as acid rain, where the rain becomes acidic as it falls back to earth due to the chemicals and pollutants in the air.

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