Scientists have shown that anthropogenic low-volatility organic vapors play a substantial role in the generation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in four Chinese megacities, giving fresh insights into how to effectively address urban air pollution challenges.
Vapors from human activities in Hong Kong and mainland china
FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images
Scientists have shown that anthropogenic low-volatility organic vapors play a substantial role in the generation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in four Chinese megacities, giving fresh insights into how to effectively address urban air pollution challenges, as per ScienceDaily.
Air pollution is the leading cause of death globally, killing around 7 million people each year. Air pollutants can be released directly from a variety of sources, or they can be generated through complicated atmospheric interactions including precursors from both natural (e.g. plants) and human sources.
The pollution controls are efficient in managing primary pollutants, but mitigating secondary pollutants has proven difficult due to huge information gaps in the underlying creation mechanisms.
SOA produces a major portion of particle haze pollution in many metropolitan areas, with serious consequences for the environment and human health.
The lack of information about the origins and related chemical processes of SOA generation is preventing effective haze pollution mitigation methods from being implemented.
The prominent roles of anthropogenic low-volatility organic vapors as essential intermediates linking the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to SOA and haze pollution in urban settings were validated in this collaborative study.
HKUST academics performed a comprehensive field study in Hong Kong, and the mainland and foreign researchers in Beijing, Nanjing, and Shanghai undertook coordinated investigations in three additional Chinese megacities over the same time period.
The collaboration described a large number of highly reactive oxygenated organic molecules (OOMs) in various urban settings for the first time and created a unique categorization system to trace the measured OOMs and generated SOA to various antecedents.
Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a sensation of exhaustion and weakness can all be caused by haze particles, as per HealthPlus.
The effects of haze are exacerbated in persons who already have heart or lung problems. The negative health consequences of a few minutes of haze exposure, on the other hand, are typically transient and do not result in long-term health problems.
The tiny particulate matter (PM) present in the air is the most dangerous aspect of the haze. Particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, is easily breathed into the lungs.
This refers to particles with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 microns.
Long-term exposure to haze and particle matter can cause medical problems including bronchitis and an increased risk of lung cancer.
When the PSI is at harmful levels, it is advised to stay indoors during cloudy conditions.
An N95 mask can assist prevent particulate matter intake if you have to be outside for lengthy periods of time.
Those who are most vulnerable to the smog should remain indoors.
These are persons who already have heart or lung problems, as air pollution is known to aggravate these ailments.
Children and the elderly, who have less lung capacity, should avoid extended exposure to the smog.
