Air pollution causes millions of deaths each year.  Three of the nastiest contributors of air pollution are Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulate Matter, and Sulfur Dioxide.

  • Nitrogen Dioxide is a bi-product of mills, factories, and the gasoline-powered engines.
  • Particulate Matter are the bits of soot, dust, pollen, etc. that floats around in the atmosphere. The source: organic and inorganic matter made airborne from construction, mills, factories, etc.
  • Sulfur Dioxide is a bi-product of coal-powered factories or anything powered by gasoline. Manufactures use it in industrial processes including refrigeration, making chemical compounds and even used in bleaching processes.

See anything that keeps appearing in the description above? Yes, industrial emissions are a huge contributor. It may come as no surprise that many larger cities are some of the problem areas — especially those cities with lots of industrial complexes and those with lots of vehicle traffic. How do we know this? Well, we have the ability to test the air, use satellite imagery, and other technology to accurately measure and identify the largest concentrations of air pollution.

For example, in Beijing (home of this year’s Summer Olympics) the topic of air quality has been part of Olympic related news and highlights almost as soon as the  International Olympic Committee awarded Beijing the 2008 games all the way back in 2001. In fact, Beijing is one of the worst places you can be to compete or even be a spectator.  Some people joke about L.A., California being smoggy, but compare that city to Beijing.

According to the World Bank’s 2007 Pollution statistics, it is clear how Beijing stacks up against L.A. when looking at the “big three”. Beijing has:

  • 64% more Nitrogen Dioxide than L.A.
  • 161% more Particulate Matter than L.A.
  • 900% more Sulfur Dioxide than L.A.

That’s 10 times as much Sulfur Dioxide…wow.  Of course, other factors contribute to air quality including VOCs, changes in temperature, lack of wind, etc.

The China Climate, Energy and Pollution Program and local government collaborated to help minimize pollution during the summer games. Have you seen video shots of the roads and traffic? City officials implemented a ban that decreased the amount of vehicle traffic by as much as 50%. They also shut down certain factories for a time to reduce the impact of the “big three”. Heck, they even have a system in place to induce rain by launching rockets containing silver-oxide to provide a catalyst for showers. Although I am not sure that is very safe, but it helps dissipate air pollution and cuts down on its stinky odor. Kudos for the efforts.

Now if countries like China could put that same momentum into implementing green programs and cleaner operating facilities…hmmm.  I am not knocking the green actions already underway, just pondering the point.