What is Photochemical Smog?

What is Meant by Photochemical Smog?

Photochemical smog refers to a type of air pollution formed by the interaction of sunlight with pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in the production of secondary pollutants like ozone and particulate matter.

What is the Major Cause of Photochemical Smog?

The major cause of photochemical smog is the interaction of sunlight with pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from vehicular exhaust, industrial processes, and other sources.

What is the Definition of Smog?

Smog is a type of air pollution characterized by a mixture of smoke and fog, often exacerbated by industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust.

What are 2 Main Causes of Smog?

The two main causes of smog are vehicular emissions and industrial activities releasing pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.

What is the Difference Between Photochemical Smog and Smog?

Photochemical smog is a type of smog formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight, while smog refers more broadly to a mixture of pollutants, often including both traditional smog and photochemical smog.

What is the Formula for Photochemical Smog?

The formula for photochemical smog is NOx​ + VOCs + sunlight.



What is Photochemical Smog?

Photochemical Smog is related to the pollution of air and emerges when sunlight interacts with contaminants, mostly from industrial and vehicular emissions. Photochemical smog contains pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and sunlight. They can cause respiratory issues and eye discomfort. Its appearance in the atmosphere is hazy and brownish-grey. In this article, we will study the composition, formation, causes and effects of the photochemical Smog in detail.

Table of Content

  • What is Photochemical Smog?
  • Photochemical Smog Components
  • Formation of Photochemical Smog
  • Causes of Photochemical Smog
  • Photochemical Smog Effects
  • Conclusion – What is Photochemical Smog?
  • FAQs on What is Photochemical Smog?

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What is Photochemical Smog?

When sunlight interacts with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds released by industry, transportation, and the burning of fossil fuels, photochemical smog is created. This reaction produces hazardous substances including peroxy acyl nitrates and ground-level ozone, which cause a brownish haze in places with significant amounts of direct sunlight and stagnant air, especially metropolitan centers. This haze presents a serious worldwide environmental and public health concern as it negatively affects ecosystems, air quality, visibility, and human health....

Photochemical Smog Components

A complicated combination of contaminants floating in the atmosphere is known as photochemical smog. Its composition changes according on location, climate, and pollution sources, among other variables. Particulate particles, ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the prevalent constituents....

Formation of Photochemical Smog

When NOx and VOCs are released into the environment from a variety of sources, photochemical smog starts to develop. Ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), two secondary pollutants, are created when sunlight interacts with these pollutants and sets off a sequence of chemical reactions....

Causes of Photochemical Smog

Photochemical smog is formed by a confluence of human activity, meteorological circumstances, and geographic elements, underscoring the complicated interactions of air pollution in urban and industrialized areas....

Photochemical Smog Effects

Photochemical smog affects ecosystems, human health, and air quality, and it poses serious hazards to the environment....

Conclusion – What is Photochemical Smog?

In conclusion, photochemical smog is a serious environmental and public health issue that becomes worse by the complicated relationships between weather patterns, human activity, and geographic variables. Smog is made up of a variety of pollutants that are harmful to ecosystems, human health, and air quality. These pollutants include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There are several detrimental health impacts that can result from photochemical smog exposure, such as heart disease, respiratory issues, and other conditions....

FAQs on What is Photochemical Smog?

What is Meant by Photochemical Smog?...

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