Tag: photochemical smog

Researchers at York University have discovered why reducing particulate pollution is actually increasing surface ozone pollution in some emerging economies, which is negatively affecting health, the ecosystem and agriculture. The results, published in Nature Geoscience, challenge established methods for tackling air pollution, the researchers say. Surface ozone is the main component of "fog" and is formed by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). It occurs when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react to the presence of sunlight. In the last decade, when countries like China have improved air quality by reducing particulate pollution - which comes from coal, s...