Smog
Smog is a portmanteau word from the eng. Smoke (smoke) and fog (fog). It denotes caused by emissions of air pollution, which occurs in large cities in particular. In common parlance, he describes the presence of air pollutants in harmful and considerate interfering concentrations.
Scientifically called smog greatly increased concentrations of air pollutants over densely populated areas due to particular meteorological conditions (eg temperature inversion ). Generally occurs smog only during low wind weather conditions. Even an unfavorable through the valley or boiler layers topography promotes the formation of smog. Thus, in rural regions where intensive wood is burned, smog occur in unfavorable topography.
- 2.1 Ozone alert
Word origins and history
The term is a portmanteau word and consists of the English words smoke (smoke) and fog ( mist) together. It was coined in the early 20th century in London, as smog there was a frequent occurrence, and at this time also peculiars London ( London idiosyncrasies ) was called. In December 1952, the city of London was hit by a severe smog disaster, which cost up to 12,000 inhabitants life, which is why this event is also called The Great Smog. In the aftermath of this disaster, the Clean Air Act was passed, a number of measures to improve air quality in the city sustainable. Since then, there is this kind of winter smog in London any more.
Formation
The mixture of soot, sulfur dioxide ( SO2), dust ( dry vapor ) and fog can be under the unfavorable conditions of a temperature inversion, hold particular type of fumigation, long over a city and is usually harmful. The smoke comes from various different sources such as thermal power plants, wood furnaces and vehicles with internal combustion engines.
For sulfur dioxide and water, secondary pollutants such as sulfur dioxide ( H2SO3 ) and sulfuric acid form (H2SO4 ). These cause damage to plants, buildings, and irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes in humans. Also, volatile constituents of paints and other solvents and vapors from the chemical industry, fog forms smog.
This type of smog is also called winter smog and London smog. It is reducing smog. In addition to this literal meaning, a distinction is also the summer smog (Los Angeles- type). Also, the transmitted electromagnetic term in the broadest sense refers to a " pollution".
Effect of smog on humans
Kohlenstoffmonoxidkonzentrationen of more than 0.01 % lead to headaches and nausea. High concentrations lead to unconsciousness and death due to lack of oxygen. Nitrogen oxides and ozone irritate the mucous membranes and can lead to chronic respiratory diseases. High concentrations of particulate matter lead to a strain on the cardiovascular system and are increasingly associated with hospital admissions and deaths due to heart disease. Hydrocarbon compounds may be carcinogenic. Stronger physical stress (including sports ) should be avoided in smog alert. Smog is a problem in many cities. At high concentrations of pollutants, some cities have started to issue bans on motor vehicles. The driver itself - as long as the traffic is still running - the ability to protect themselves from these smog substances by incorporating a high-quality cabin air filters ( cabin filters ) in his vehicle and this also regularly renewed - the manufacturers recommend an annual exchange.
However, not every government and administration for economic reasons prepared to recognize the phenomenon of " smog ".
Winter smog in Germany
In the Ruhr came in December 1962 to a serious Smoglage with over 150 deaths (see smog crisis in the Ruhr 1962). Smogalarm stage I was there for the first time initiated on 17 January 1979. Due to a pronounced temperature inversion had six years later, triggered on 18 January 1985, for the western Ruhr, for the first time in the Federal Republic of Germany, smog alert level III, coupled with driving restrictions for private cars and limitations for the industry. Also, West Berlin had in the 1980s, several Smogalarme so on 17 and 18 January 1980 ( stage I), again on 24 January 1980 and 19 December 1981 and 1 to 3 February 1987 ( stage I and ban ). Took place on February 2, 1987 Smogalarm (stage II without ban ) in the Braunschweig / Wolfenbüttel. On February 3, 1987, the Smogalarmstufe I was proclaimed with an eight-hour driving ban in Hamburg. For the last time, the measured values for a trip to the smog early warning in January 1991 in Berlin have been achieved. By better filtering technology in power plants, comprehensive introduction of catalyst technology in motor vehicles and the elimination of the GDR industry, the air quality in Germany has a total of so much improved that all states have abolished their smog regulations in the 1990s.
More recent legislation
After the elimination of smog regulations from the 1980s come now other forms of air pollution in the foreground with the legal regulations. From January 2005, new, strict EU limit values for diesel soot and other dust particles ( 22 BImschV ) were considered. These provisions were extended and intensified in 2010 by the 39th BlmSchV. In severe air pollution therefore even driving bans can be arranged. In Germany also is in talks to reduce emissions from cars and trucks with new Tempo 30 zones, although this could potentially also increase the emissions, since the few drivers off early in the higher gear and many then only a maximum of the 3 could use. transition for the city. After introduction of the truck toll systems with a congestion charge has been raised for cities in Germany.
In early 2005 a number of residents complained of major roads successful in administrative courts to enforce EU Directive. Therefore, the municipalities concerned are developing policies to keep out partikelemittierende vehicles ( older diesel vehicles) from fine dust loaded zones. The most likely scheme for a general ban on diesel vehicles without particle filter, inter alia, in the inner cities of Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt is expected. Critics fear supply problems and massive price increases of retail trade in the inner cities, since they usually have older transport vehicles whose retrofitting would be prohibitively expensive. In addition, older diesel vehicles are still not unequivocally identified as the main cause of the increased PM levels. Thus, excessive concentrations of particulate matter have also been reported from rural areas.
Summer Smog - Los Angeles- type
The other, now more frequent smog kind of photochemical smog (also summer smog, ozone smog or LA smog called ). It is oxidizing smog.
It occurs in the warmer months of the year when the incident UV radiation in conjunction with
- Nitrogen oxides ( NOx) from, for example, car exhaust fumes or power plants,
- Hydrogen peroxide,
- Carbon monoxide,
- Volatile organic compounds ( VOC)
Leads to increased concentrations of photochemical oxidants (ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate, aldehydes, HNO3).
In order to form high ozone concentrations following requirements must be met: the presence of the two precursors NOx and (NM ) VOC, intense solar radiation and several -day-long stable period of good weather, which leads to a storage of ozone in the atmospheric mixing layers.
Ozone alert
In several European countries ( such as France and Switzerland ), there are laws that prescribe when certain ozone concentrations exceeded lower speed limits or even bans. In Germany, this is the responsibility of the states. A uniform national Sommersmoggesetz was valid from 1995 to 1999.
In Germany, for the first time on 26 July 1994 raised for the state of Hesse, such ozone alarm because the concentration of 180 micrograms per cubic meter was exceeded, it was three days Tempo 90 on highways and 80 kph on highways.
Haze
As Haze (English for cooker, extractor bell) is a form of smog called that arises as a result of uncontrolled fires, slash and burn or natural disasters. In particular, the name in connection with recurring air pollution in Southeast Asia is used, which occur in Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand or Indonesia. Background are mostly slash and burn in Sumatra and the Indonesian part of Borneo to the expansion of oil palm plantations.
The levels of pollutants in the air vary depending on weather and location. At high pollution levels eyes and respiratory tract irritation may occur. Particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and small children should then avoid physical exertion outdoors. Asthmatics and allergy sufferers keep best on indoors.
After 1997 occurred from fires to more than 9 million hectares of land Hazes in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, initiated the ASEAN States a program for monitoring and prevention of Hazes, the 2002 in the Environmental Agreements ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution resulted.