Contrary to popular belief, a new study shows that early morning fog actually cleans air pollution. For years it was believed that it increased air pollution, because of the traffic it causes. A particular type of fog, called radiation fog, which occurs early in the morning. On clear nights, warm air rises from the ground leaving cool air. When the temperature drops, water-droplets form around the pollution particles, and then get evaporated when the sun comes up.
It has been found that classroom air is significantly more polluted than the air outside. Tiny particles, which can be toxic if inhaled deeply into the lungs, have mainly been researched on outdoors because of the amount that vehicle emissions produce. Three elementary school classrooms were studied in Australia and compared to outdoor pollution, and it in each study the pollutants where much higher in the classroom.
Living near the ocean should give clean air, right? It has recently been found that the smoke from ships burning high-sulfur fuel can be accounted for half of the fine particles hazardous to human health. The coast of California now has a law, starting in July, that requires any ship to switch to a cleaner burning fuel if they are to come within 24 miles of the coast. Other international laws requiring this will be in effect, hopefully, in 2015. Some estimates show that ship smoke can be accountable for as many as 60,000 deaths worldwide.
Katrina, I had no idea that ships impacted us so bad. That means that over the years we have slowly dieing while living in the Harbor, I always knew it was bad to live here, just kidding! I find it really interesting that the fog helps air pollution. Are all morning fogs radiation fogs though? Does radiation fog happen any other time other than the morning?
ReplyDeleteHave they tested air pollution in classrooms in America or just in Australia? Living in a coastal town this new law they are trying to employ will have a large impact on us. I'll be interested to see where it goes.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad that the classroom air is more polluted that the outside air. What about classrooms in the United States?
ReplyDeleteFrom personal experience, I can say that cruise ships also are a major polluter, especially around Caribbean islands. Today there are many restrictions (such as how long they have to hold waste in holding tanks and how close to land they can be to disperse the waste). It is very interesting that morning fog can clean the air, I had no idea. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteKatrina I go through everyone's blogs and once I get to yours it puts me in a depression!! 2015 isn't that far away, and 60,000 people are estimated to die? that's so messed up!
ReplyDeleteWow... I never knew that ships were such a big part of the problem. That makes me rethink my career choice and what type of vessel I would like to work on. I definately don't want to work on a ship that emits so much hazardous particles. Great post it gives great insight into the air around us.
ReplyDeleteI guess students in Boothbay should be super concerned with air pollution, considering we go to school almost every day and live near the ocean, two high risk places for air pollution.
ReplyDelete60,000 deaths all because of ships.. who would've guessed? I also found it very interesting, and somewhat disturbing, that the air in classrooms, compared to outside, is more polluted! That's awful!
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog Katrina. Everyone's blog is about ways to switch to alternatives or to recycle, but it's nice to read about the disturbing truth about why we need to change the way we do things. I always figured living on the coast we had fresh, clean air to breathe but it's kind of sad that the occupation (lobstering) our town is revolved around is a cause of global warming. Since radiation fog can't clean pollution over the ocean, is there anything that can?
ReplyDeleteThat is surprising about the ships with pollution but it does make sense. We need someway to clean up our air!
ReplyDeleteIf the smoke from ships on the water is polluting our air here on land and harming our health, I can't imagine the impact it is having on the members of the ship!
ReplyDeleteAir is the most important element of human environment. Man can't live a single moments without air. But we don't think that it is we who pollute this most vital element. Clean air is essential for life. Air is polluted in many ways. Smoke pollutes air. Man makes fires to cook his food.To make bricks burns refuse, melts pitch for road construction and burns wood. All these things produce heavy smoke and this smoke pollutes air. Railway engines, power houses, mills and factories use coal and oil. buses, tucks and cars use petrol and diesel oil. Again all these things create smoke and cause air pollution. The most serious air pollution occurs in big industrial areas where there are many mills and factories. serious air pollution also occurs in big cities where there are many buses, trucks and cars plying the street everyday. Sometimes men in big industrial area become so sick by inhaling polluted air that they cannot be cued. So proper measures and steps should be taken to prevent air pollution.
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