Smog is an air pollutant that is created in the atmosphere by the combination of mist and exhaust fumes. Car exhaust fumes and harmful dusts and gases are by-products of economic sectors such as industry, energy and transport.
High humidity and temperature inversion contribute to the formation of smog. It is no secret that smog has a very negative impact on the environment and living organisms. Smog can be combated in many ways, including reducing the use of fossil fuels and using innovative air purification systems.
Fighting Smog: Importance and Opportunities
The atmospheric phenomenon of smog is the excessive accumulation of harmful chemical compounds in the air. This is a real threat to human health and life. The most dangerous component of smog are suspended dusts, i.e. atmospheric aerosols.
The precursors of aerosols are oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, which are emitted as a result of human activity. In the temperate climate zone, we are dealing with the so-called smog’, which is caused by the use of solid fuels in industrial plants and residential buildings.
It is worth being aware that over 70% of cities with the greatest problems with smog. The reason for this is the use of inefficient heating systems and low class boilers. The most important step in the fight against smog is therefore to end the use of traditional cinderella and move towards high quality fuels.
The fight against smog is important for the environment and the health of the society. High concentrations of sulfur oxides, soot or hard falling dusts adversely affect the human respiratory system, contributing to the development of lung and bronchial diseases. Smog can cause or aggravate asthma symptoms, increase the risk of lung cancer and even cause total respiratory failure.
Smog also poses a significant risk to pregnant women and disrupts the cardiovascular system. Every year, tens of thousands of people die prematurely from smog pollution. Therefore, it is worthwhile to keep track of the information about the level of air pollution, invest in a home air purifier, buy an ecological boiler and use high quality fuels.
Air purification systems: Modern technologies
In the fight against smog, anti-smog products are innovative solutions. More and more such products are appearing on the market, revolutionizing traditional methods of eliminating air pollution.
It is worth paying attention to such products as anti-smog awnings for vertical windows, window filter frames or ventilators with anti-smog filters. Home anti-smog devices equipped with a filter made of impregnated activated carbon work well.
The most innovative air purification systems, however, include protective nano-coatings, using the phenomenon of photocatalysis. Their aim is to purify the air of pollutants such as industrial and automotive exhaust fumes. The catalytic action of protective coatings is to initiate the decomposition of organic pollutants and mineralize harmful gases to neutral compounds.
Protective nanocoatings contain titanium dioxide, which under the influence of sunlight decomposes harmful components of smog as a result of photocatalysis. Air purification systems in the form of protective coatings can be applied to almost any surface.
They can be successfully used to cover industrial equipment, car bodies or building facades. Hydrophilic coatings are a highly effective method of fighting smog and an effective way to protect oneself against negative effects of pollution on the body.