What is SMOG

By
Prof Dr M Tariq Masood
SMOG
• Smog, or smoke fog, is a type of intense air pollution. The
word "smog" was coined in the early 20th century, and is
a combination of the words smoke and fog to refer to smoky fog
due to its opacity, and odor.
• This kind of visible air pollution is composed of nitrogen oxides,
sulfur oxide, ozone, smoke and other particulates.
• Man-made smog is derived from coal combustion emissions,
vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, forest and agricultural
fires and photochemical reactions of these emissions.
Types of Smog
• The word was then intended to refer to what was sometimes known as
London fog in the middle of nineth century.
• Smog is often categorized as being either summer smog or winter smog.
Summer smog is primarily associated with the photochemical formation
of ozone. During the summer season when the temperatures are warmer
and there is more sunlight present, photochemical smog is the dominant
type of smog formation.
• During the winter months when the temperatures are colder, and
atmospheric inversions are common, there is an increase in coal and
other fossil fuel usage to heat homes and buildings. These combustion
emissions, together with the lack of pollutant dispersion under
inversions, characterize winter smog formation.
Types of Smog
• Smog formation in general relies on both primary and
secondary pollutants.
• Primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source, such as
emissions of sulfur dioxide from coal combustion.
• Secondary pollutants, such as ozone, are formed when primary
pollutants undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
SMOG OR PHOTO CHEMICAL SMOG
• Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants that are formed when
nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react to
sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities. It tends to occur more
often in summer because that is when we have the most sunlight. It
is one of the Primary pollutants.
• Photochemical smog, also known as summer smog, is a type of smog
that is produced when UV light originating from the sun interacts with
the oxides of nitrogen present in the atmosphere.
 PHOTO CHEMICAL SMOG
• This type of smog usually manifests as a brown haze and is most
commonly seen in highly populated cities that are placed in relatively
warm climates. Furthermore, photochemical smog is most
prominently visible during the mornings and afternoons.
• How Smog is formed?
• Photochemical form is formed by a complex series of chemical
reactions involving sunlight, oxides of nitrogen, and volatile organic
compounds that are present in the atmosphere as a result of
air pollution. These reactions often result in the formation of ground-
level ozone and certain airborne particles.
How is Photochemical Smog Formed?
• The formation of photochemical smog is closely related to the
concentration of primary pollutants in the atmosphere. It is also related
to the concentration of secondary pollutants (in some cases).
• Common examples of primary pollutants that contribute to
photochemical smog include oxides of nitrogen such as nitric oxide,
nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide, and most VOCs (volatile organic
compounds). Common examples of secondary pollutants that
contribute to the formation of photochemical smog include aldehydes,
tropospheric ozone, and peroxyacyl nitrates (often abbreviated to PAN).
 PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
• During peak traffic hours in the morning, large amounts of nitrogen
oxides and volatile hydrocarbons are released into the atmosphere.
These pollutants can be traced to automobile emissions and industrial
discharge. Some of these hydrocarbon pollutants rapidly undergo
oxidation by the hydroxyl groups in the atmosphere, resulting in the
formation of peroxy radicals. These peroxy radicals go on to convert
nitric oxide into nitrogen dioxide.
 PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
• Photochemical smog is a brownish-gray haze caused by the action of
solar ultraviolet radiation on the atmosphere polluted with
hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. It contains anthropogenic
air pollutants, mainly ozone, nitric acid, and organic compounds, which
are trapped near the ground by temperature inversion. These pollutants
and also some others can affect human health and cause damage to
plants. Photochemical smog often has an unpleasant odor due to some
of its gaseous components.
• The term smog (not to be confused with photochemical smog) is
commonly used to represent a near-ground haze made of a combination
of smoke and fog rather than ozone, nitric acid, and organic compounds.
 PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
• Photochemical smog appears to be initiated by nitrogen oxides that
are emitted into the air as pollutants mainly from
internal combustion engines (Figure 2.2). Absorbing the visible or
ultraviolet energy of sunlight, it forms nitric oxide (NO) to free atoms
of oxygen (O), which then combine with molecular oxygen (O2) to
form ozone (O3).
• In the presence of hydrocarbons (other than methane), certain other
organic compounds, and sunlight, various chemical reactions take
place to form photochemical smog.
 PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG
• A simplified set of some of the reactions involved in
photochemical smog formation is as follows :
2NO•+O2 → 2NO2•
NO2• → UV‐ANO•+O
O+O2 → O3
NO•+O3 → NO2•+O2
HC+NO•+O2 → NO2•+PAN
Or as a general global reaction :
VOCs +NO → SunlightO3 + HNO3 +
Organics
PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG IN
PAKISTAN
SMOG in PAKISTAN
• Photochemical smog, as found for example in Los Angeles, is a type of air
pollution derived from vehicular emission from internal combustion engines
and industrial fumes. These pollutants react in the atmosphere with sunlight
to form secondary pollutants that also combine with the primary emissions to
form photochemical smog.
• In certain other cities, such as Lahore,Delhi, smog severity is often
aggravated by stubble burning in neighboring agricultural areas since the
1980s.
• The atmospheric pollution levels of LosAngeles, Beijing, Delhi, Lahore,
Mexico City, Tehran and other cities are often increased by an inversion that
traps pollution close to the ground. The developing smog is usually toxic to
humans and can cause severe sickness, a shortened life span, or premature
death.
 SMOG & PHOTOCHEMICAL
SMOG
• The current air quality index for Lahore shows that the air is unhealthy because of severe
air pollution. And as winter is coming, so is smog in Lahore.
• Around 7 million people per year die from air pollution worldwide, according to the World
Health Organization (WHO), 4.2 million of which are due to exposure to ambient air
pollution. In addition, 9 out of 10 people breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits for
pollutants, with low-and middle-income countries suffering the most, including Pakistan.
• Do you know that Lahore ranked first in the list of most polluted cities in the world in 2021
and in 2023- 24 with an air pollution level of 108 µg/m3? Even the present situation of
Lahore’s air is alarming as its PM2.5 concentration is 14.6 times the WHO annual air
quality guideline value.
• One of the major reasons is that it gets surrounded by a thick layer of smog in the winter
season. Furthermore, the city’s air quality has worsened as a result of increasing
urbanization and industrialization.
Causes of Smog in Lahore, Pakistan

• In Pakistan, Lahore is the city that has been affected the most by smog in the country
over the last few years. The city is overpopulated and it is an industrialized region
with a huge traffic problem.
• So, the reasons for smog in Lahore are vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, fossil-
fuel-fired power stations, waste-burning, and coal burned by thousands of brick kilns
spread over the region. These are all contributors to the problem.
• These emissions result in:
• Nitrogen oxides come from automobiles, coal power stations, and factories.
• VOCs are emitted by gasoline, paints, and a variety of cleaning solutions.
• So, when sunlight strikes these compounds, they produce airborne particles and
ground-level ozone, causing smog in Punjab. It leads to injurious health issues and
causes detrimental effects on the environment.
Smog
• Dangerous Effects of Smog
• The effects of air pollution on living organisms will not only harm
human and animal health but will also affect the entire environment.
Various geographical conditions, global temperature changes, and
environmental variations all have an impact on human health and the
environment, including animal life.
Human Health Hazards Caused by Smog

• A lot of factors influence the impact of smog on your health and general well-
being. However, let us look at the people who are most vulnerable to the
hazardous effects of smog:
• Individuals with heart disease, coronary artery disease, or congestive heart
failure
• Individuals with lung diseases
• Pregnant women
• Outdoor workers
• Older adults and the elderly
• Children under the age of 14
• Athletes who work out vigorously outdoors
 Diseases Caused by Smog
• Air pollution causes the following diseases in human beings:
• 1. Asthma
Asthma is one of the most frequent disorders brought on by polluted air. It constricts and swells
the airways and creates excess mucus, making breathing difficult. Asthma is a chronic air pollution
disease that leads to severe shortness of breath, making even daily, routine activities difficult.
• 2. Bronchitis
Bronchitis is caused by prolonged exposure to increased levels of air pollution, particularly a
high percentage of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the air, which causes bronchitis. It is an
acute inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes that transport air to and from the lungs.
Bronchitis is characterized by shortness of breath and prolonged, intense coughing with thick
mucus.
• 3. Lung Cancer
Smoking, exposure to cigarette smoke, a family history, or prolonged exposure to toxic air
pollution, mainly smog in Lahore, are the main causes of lung or pulmonary cancer. Common
symptoms include severe chest pain, coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, and weight loss.
Smog
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• COPD is a chronic disorder that causes obstruction in the airways of the lungs,
causing difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a chronic cough. COPD, one of the
most frequent diseases caused by air pollution, causes irreversible damage to
the lungs and can progress to severe symptoms such as bronchitis and
emphysema.
• 5. Birth Defects
• Prenatal and neonatal exposure to harmful air can result in air pollution
disorders and birth abnormalities. Premature birth, low birth weight, persistent
and chronic colds and coughs, various allergies, and even neurological
abnormalities are all serious concerns. As a result, pregnant women are
advised to ensure a steady supply of clean, fresh, and unpolluted air.
• Immune System Disorders
Prenatal and neonatal exposure to polluted air can also weaken immunity, putting the baby
vulnerable to a variety of health problems. Diseases caused by smog in Punjab in newborns can
lead to serious health problems later in life.
• 7. Cardiovascular Issues
Prolonged exposure to particulate matter pollution and toxic chemicals can impair blood vessel
function and promote arterial calcification. The severity of heart disease caused by air pollution is
determined by the type of pollutant and the duration of exposure.
• 8. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious, occasionally fatal disease that affects both children and the elderly and
is mostly brought on by bacteria, fungi, and parasites in polluted air. It is a lung infection that
causes pus to fill the air sacs in one or both lungs, causing difficulty breathing, phlegm-filled
coughs, chills, and fever.
• 9. Leukemia
Smog in Lahore is also causing leukemia in the residents of the city. Leukemia is a cancer of the
blood and bone marrow that causes bruising, joint and bone pain, bleeding, weight loss, fever, and
other symptoms. Exposure to radiation and harmful pollutants in the air, family history, smoking,
and other factors are major causes of leukemia.
• Pakistan
• Since the start of the winter season, heavy smog loaded with
pollutants covered major parts of Punjab, especially the city of
Lahore, causing breathing problems and disrupting normal
traffic. A recent study from 2022 shows that the primary cause
of pollution in Lahore is from traffic-related PM (both exhausts
and non exhaust sources)
• Doctors advised residents to stay indoors and wear facemasks
outside
Precautionary Measures Against Smog

• The smog in Punjab, Sindh, and KPK is a serious condition and you need to be very careful
if you do not want to get sick as smog season is coming. So, we have described some of
the precautionary measures for you that you can follow when smog hits Lahore.
• Wear a mask
• Run an air-purifier
• Avoid being outside near high-traffic areas to reduce your exposure.
• Take rest breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water when you’re outside.
• Avoid doing intense outdoor work.
• Avoid driving and smoking to reduce your carbon output.
• If you must drive, drive slowly and use headlights, fog lights, blinkers, and hazards at all
times.
• Close windows and other air inlets when indoors.
• If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have your inhaler with
you at all times. Keep your doctor’s number handy in case your illness worsens.
• It is important to note that pollution affects everyone differently, and some people are
more vulnerable to its detrimental effects.
• On smoggy days, persons with asthma, children, and the elderly should take extra
precautions.
• Bicyclists must cover their faces and wear glasses to protect their eyes.
• Drink plenty of water and constantly wash your hands.
• Avoid crowded areas where you can be caught in traffic if you have breathing problems
and need to travel on foggy days.
• Road junctions can be a hive of exhaust pollutants, so keep your windows closed.
• Avoid airports, seaports, and industrial locations as well.
• If you are walking or cycling to work, choose a route that avoids densely populated or
crowded areas.
• Reduce your emissions as much as possible. Avoid needless car trips in cities, and don’t
leave your engine running for long periods outside your house on cold days or when
stuck in traffic.
Smog
• Due to these harmful emissions, notably transboundary air pollution,
air quality is declining day by day in cities. As a result, Lahore, the
provincial capital of Punjab, is one of the most polluted cities in the
world, and the smog layer will thicken in the upcoming days.
• Therefore, to reduce smog in Lahore, immediate action must be taken
to address this issue. Both public and private institutions should adopt
policies to reduce pollution from sources, particularly the emissions of
particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.
Smog
• This is because natural emissions tend to continue to spread over
much wider areas.
• When it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the NO2 molecule is known
to undergo a complex series of hydrocarbon reactions to produce the
photochemical smog components. These components include a
mixture of ozone, aldehydes, nitric acid, peroxyacyl nitrates
(abbreviation: PANs), and many other secondary pollutants.
• November 3rd 2024
Hazardous 525AQI⁺ US 32°20° 10.8 km/h
Day Pollution level Weather Temper Wind
ature
Very
Friday, Nov 1 unhealthy 212 34°21° 10.8
AQI⁺ US km/h

Saturday, Hazardous 331 33°20° 10.8

Nov 2 AQI⁺ US km/h
Sunday, Nov Hazardous 525 32°20° 10.8
3 AQI⁺ US km/h

Today Hazardous 466 32°20° 10.8

AQI⁺ US km/h
Tuesday, Unhealthy 165 32°20° 7.2
Nov 5 AQI⁺ US km/h
Wednesday, Unhealthy 167 33°20° 10.8
Nov 6 AQI⁺ US km/h
Thursday, Unhealthy 171 33°20° 7.2
Nov 7 AQI⁺ US km/h