Smog Basics
What two words make up the word "smog"?
Smoke and fog
What are the 2 main types of smog?
Industrial Smog (aka brown smog) & Photochemical Smog (aka grey smog)
What gas released from cars that leads to smog formation?
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Name one health problem caused by smog.
Respiratory Issues, Eye irritation, Asthma...
What type of energy reduces smog?
Renewable energy like solar, wind, and hydro
What is the main cause of smog in cities?
Vehicle emissions and industrial pollution
What type of smog is caused by burning coal?
Industrial Smog
What does VOC stand for, and how do they contribute to smog?
Volatile Organic Compounds; they react with NOx and sunlight to form smog.
What organ is most affected by smog?
What type of vehicle produces less smog?
Electric Vehicles
What season is photochemical smog most common in?
Summer!
What major city is known for frequent photochemical smog because of it's traffic?
Los Angeles.
What role does sunlight play in photochemical smog?
Triggers the chemical reaction that makes the ozone & smog.
What groups of people would be most affected by Smog?
Elderly, Children, Pregnant women
What do governments use to warn people about smog levels?
The Air Quality Index (AQI)
What country experienced the Great Smog of 1952, killing thousands?
Ol' London
Cold air traps pollutants near the ground, creating temperature inversions.
What is a temperature inversion, and how does it make smog worse?
A layer of warm air traps cooler air and pollutants below, preventing them from dispersing.
How does smog affect crops and plants?
Ozone damages leaves, reducing crop growth and yield.
What action can cities take to reduce vehicle emissions?
can vary
What is the main difference between industrial smog and photochemical smog?
Industrial smog comes from burning coal and contains sulfur dioxide, while photochemical smog forms from vehicle emissions reacting with sunlight.
What secondary pollutant is harmful when it is formed closer to ground level and not in the Stratosphere?
Ozone (O3)
What harmful secondary pollutant is formed when VOCs and NOx mix?
Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs) ----> causes eye irritation
What long-term diseases can smog exposure lead to?
Lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic bronchitis...
What law helped reduce industrial smog in the U.S?
The Clean Air Act