Smog pollution: A threat to health and environments

(Dr. Qudsia Nazir)
Smog is a serious environmental problem affecting many urban and agricultural regions. Formed from a mixture of smoke, fog, harmful gases, dust and fine particles, it reduces air quality and visibility and threatens human health, agriculture, transportation and the environment. Understanding its causes and adopting effective preventive measures are essential for a cleaner and healthier future. Smog generally occurs in two major forms: classical smog and photochemical smog. Classical smog is usually linked with the burning of coal and other fossil fuels. It contains smoke, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and fog. This type of smog is more common in cold and humid weather conditions on the other hand photochemical smog is more common in urban areas with heavy traffic and industrial activities. It forms when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight. Photochemical smog can cause eye irritation, breathing problems and damage to plants.

Smog is caused by a combination of human activities and unfavorable weather conditions. The major causes include:1-A large number of vehicles release harmful gases like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.2-Factories and industries release smoke, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.3-After harvesting crops, particularly rice, farmers sometimes burn leftover straw and residues to clear their fields quickly. This practice releases smoke and fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. Rice residue burning can significantly worsen air pollution during the post-harvest season.4-The burning of coal, wood, plastic, garbage and other materials releases harmful gases and particles. Open waste burning is a major environmental concern in many urban and rural areas.5-Construction activities, unpaved roads and poorly managed soil and dust contribute large amounts of particulate matter to the air.
6-During winter, low temperatures and low wind speed can trap pollutants near the ground. Fog and high humidity may further increase the concentration of smog.
Smog can be reduced through preventive actions taken by every individual, farmers, industries and government institutions.1-Regular vehicle inspection of Public transport, carpools and electric vehicles can help to reduce emissions. 2-Industries should install modern emission-control units, such as filters and scrubbers, and strictly follow environmental regulations.3-Farmers should be provided with affordable machinery and practical alternatives for managing rice residues. Rice straw can be incorporated into the soil, converted into compost, used for bioenergy.4-Open burning of municipal and agricultural waste should be discouraged.5-Trees plantation can help to improve environmental quality by trapping dust and absorbing certain air pollutants. Large-scale plantation programs can improve environmental quality by trapping dust, absorbing pollutants, and promoting cleaner. Effective smog control also requires long-term strategies and improved environmental monitoring to identify pollution sources and provide timely public warnings. Farmers need financial support, training and modern machinery, while research institutions should develop cost-effective technologies to convert agricultural waste into useful products. Individuals can help to reduce smog by using public transport, conserving energy and avoiding waste burning. Public awareness through media and educational institutions can further promote environmentally responsible behavior.
The take home massage is smog is a complex environmental problem caused by vehicle and industrial emissions, crop-residue and waste burning, dust, and unfavorable weather conditions. It threatens human health, agriculture, transportation and economic activities. Coordinated efforts to control emissions, improve crop-residue management and enhance environmental awareness can pave the way for a cleaner and healthier future.(The Writer is Principal Scientist of Soil Chemistry Section from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad).