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The position of the UK deputy prime minister is clouded in mystery. The title suggests a minster of some seniority, one likely to step in for an absent premier to chair a cabinet meeting or perform at prime minister's questions (PMQs) – but that is merely supposition. No official statement exists to explain the functions the position entails or indeed to confirm that it endures as anything more substantial than a courtesy title. Using archive material and other resources, this article will try to expose this constitutional phantom. To achieve this task, there will be close examination of the first individual to be publicly announced – in February 1942 – as the UK's deputy prime minister, Clement Attlee. Though there will be discussion of some of the tasks Attlee performed in this capacity (tasks which have influenced the development of deputy prime ministership as an institution), the primary purpose of this article is to help lift some of the constitutional smog. In particular, it will illuminate why – in contrast to analogous positions such as the US vice president – the British deputy prime minister is still not regarded as any more likely to succeed a prime minister than any other senior minister. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid urbanization and growing number of factories, human population, and motor vehicles have led to a drastic increase in the concentration of air pollutants. This smog is one of the most important disturbances in city planning. Urban trees play a vital role in the improvement of air quality. The selection of high-potential trees to capture air pollutants provides an attractive route for the mitigation of urban smog. The current study explored the air purification potential of the four most abundant trees, i.e., white mulberry (Morus alba L.), plane tree (Platanus orientalis L.), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), and Tehran pine (Pinus eldarica Ten.)], as phytoremediators grown in three parks located in regions with low, moderate, and high levels of air pollution in Tehran on the mitigation of four urban hazardous gases (O3, NO2, CO, and SO2) and in altering the content of respiratory gases (CO2 and O2). The measurement of gas levels was carried out in September–October, from 1.30 to 1.50 m above the ground. The concentration of gases was measured by an ambient gas assessment device (Aeroqual). Broad-leaf deciduous species had a greater ability to mitigate O3, NO2, CO, CO2, and SO2 concentrations than needle-leaf evergreen species. The lowest levels of O3 and CO were found around P. orientalis (0.035 and 0.044 ppm, respectively), whereas the content of O2 was the highest in the atmosphere of this tree (20.80 ppm). The lowest content of NO2 (0.081 ppm) and SO2 (0.076 ppm) was determined in the vicinity of M. alba and F. excelsior, respectively. Among the studied species, P. orientalis proved to be the best for air phytoremediation, effectively mitigating hazardous gases more than the other species. Conversely, P. eldarica is not recommended for air phytoremediation in urban green spaces. Future research should focus on exploring a wider range of tree species and their potential for air pollution mitigation in diverse urban settings across different seasons and climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is a pressing issue in Delhi, with smog occurrences causing reduced visibility and various respiratory problems. A series of severe SMOG (smoke + fog) episodes between 2013 and 2017 with reduced visibility and exceptionally high PM2.5 concentrations have been reported in Delhi especially around Diwali festival (October–November). The Smog of 2016 is referred as Great Smog of Delhi. This study examined remote sensing data from 2013 to 2017 to investigate smog episodes in Delhi during pre-Diwali, post-Diwali, and Diwali. Satellite-derived parameters viz absorbing aerosol index (AAI), aerosol optical depth (AOD), and ozone monitoring instrument (OMI) along with air pollution data and climatic parameters were used to analyze smog episodes. The results showed that during smog episodes, AOD, AAI and PM2.5 concentrations exceeded permissible limits significantly at all stations across Delhi during the Diwali festival. The ground-based observations at different locations across Delhi and satellite data-derived datasets confirmed the severity of smog episodes. The findings indicate that burning of fire crackers coupled with agriculture stubble burning and subsequent transport of the smoke from North Western states through the Capital had a greater impact on deteriorating air quality in Delhi than local pollution, especially during unfavorable weather conditions associated with high humidity and weaker winds. The outcomes highlight the significance of remotely sensed information in identifying smog episodes and their severity in Delhi. It also underlines the necessity for efficient interventions to control air pollution, particularly amid festivals like Diwali.Article Highlights: Firecrackers during Diwali augmented by crop burning worsen Delhi's air quality significantly. High humidity and weak winds make smog conditions more severe and widespread. Recurrent smog episodes continued to occur despite the implementation of the Crop Residue Management Policy in 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates smog prevention and mitigation policy strategies as well as the role of environmental education to adopt preemptive measures in Pakistan. Inhabitants of South Punjab (Pakistan) suffer from severe air pollution as a result of urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural practices. Existing literature on the effects of smog in metropolitan settings, as well as measures undertaken elsewhere, were evaluated. Specific challenges such as crop residue burning, automobile, industrial pollutants and interior air quality impacting smog levels were emphasized in case studies. Current environmental education programs in the region, as well as factors impacting learning, were also evaluated. The research concluded that environmental education, source reduction through rules, incentives, and community engagement are all necessary to combat pollution. Opportunities to enhance policies aimed at industries such as brick kilns and boost public acceptability of efforts remain. Environmental stewardship may be boosted through improved educational infrastructure and creative teaching practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creation of the first regional air quality control agency in California in Los Angeles County and the role of the Los Angeles Times in its creation.

The Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of the Indian subcontinent during winters experience widespread fog episodes. The low visibility is not only attributed to meteorological conditions but also to the increased pollution levels in the region. The study was carried out for Tier 1 and Tier II cities of the IGP of India, including Kolkata, Amritsar, Patiala, Hisar, Delhi, Patna, and Lucknow. This work analyzes data from 1990 to 2023 (33 years) employing the Mann–Kendall-Theil-Sen slope to determine the trends in fog occurrences and the relation between fog and meteorological parameters using multiple linear regressions. Furthermore, identifying the most relevant fog (visibility)—impacting factors from a set of both meteorological factors and air pollutants using step-wise regression. All cities indicated trend in the number of foggy days except for Kolkata. The multiple regression analysis reveals relatively low associations between fog occurrences and meteorological factors (30 to 59%), although the association was stronger when air pollution levels were considered (60 to 91%). Relative humidity, PM2.5, and PM10 have the most influence on fog formation. The study provides comprehensive insights into fog trends by incorporating meteorological data and air pollution analysis. The findings highlight the significance of acknowledging meteorological and pollution factors to understand and mitigate the impacts of reduced visibility. Hence, this information can guide policymakers, urban planners, and environmental management agencies in developing effective strategies to manage fog-related risks and improve air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assesses the quality and readability of Arabic online information about orthodontic pain. With the increasing reliance on the internet for health information, especially among Arabic speakers, it's critical to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of available content. Our methodology involved a systematic search using the Arabic term for (Orthodontic Pain) in Google, Bing, and Yahoo. This search yielded 193,856 results, from which 74 websites were selected based on predefined criteria, excluding duplicates, scientific papers, and non-Arabic content. Materials and methods: For quality assessment, we used the DISCERN instrument, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and the Health on the Net (HON) code. Readability was evaluated using the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) scores. Results: Results indicated that none of the websites received the HONcode seal. The DISCERN assessment showed median total scores of 14.96 (± 5.65), with low overall quality ratings. In JAMA benchmarks, currency was the most achieved aspect, observed in 45 websites (60.81%), but none met all four criteria simultaneously. Readability scores suggested that the content was generally understandable, with a median FKGL score of 6.98 and a median SMOG score of 3.98, indicating middle school-level readability. Conclusion: This study reveals a significant gap in the quality of Arabic online resources on orthodontic pain, highlighting the need for improved standards and reliability. Most websites failed to meet established quality criteria, underscoring the necessity for more accurate and trustworthy health information for Arabic-speaking patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smog in China has been a major issue in recent years. As the main component of smog, PM 2.5 has received a lot of attention from the public, as the pollution caused by PM 2.5 is believed to have negative impacts in many aspects. Accordingly, modeling PM 2.5 concentrations has become research of interest for the sake of future prediction and control. Based on the data collected from monitoring stations nationwide, we find that PM 2.5 concentrations show both spatial and temporal dependency. In this paper, we adopt a grouped spatial-temporal model to depict the distribution of PM 2.5 , capturing the spatial heterogeneity in the patterns of PM 2.5 concentrations. An estimation method based on the EM algorithm is used since the group label assignment is unknown, and the results are further explained. Finally, an outlier detection procedure based on the grouped spatial-temporal model is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional haze often occurs after the New Year holiday. To explore the characteristics of PM2.5 pollutions under the influence of the New Year's Day effect, this study analyzed the spatiotemporal changes relating to PM2.5 during and around the New Year's Day holiday in China from 2015 to 2022, and used the Weather Research and Forecasting-Community Multiscale Air Quality (WRF-CMAQ) model to study the effects of human activities and meteorological factors on PM2.5 pollutions, as well as the differences in the contributions of different industries to PM2.5 pollutions. The results show that for the entire study period (i.e., before, during, and after the New Year's Day holiday) from 2015 to 2022, the average concentrations of PM2.5 in China decreased by 41.9% overall. In 2019~2022, the New Year's Day effect was significant, meaning that the average concentrations of PM2.5 increased by 18.9~46.8 μg/m3 from before to after the New Year's Day holiday, with its peak occurring (64.3~74.9 μg/m3) after the holiday. In terms of spatial differences, the average concentrations of PM2.5 were higher in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and central China. Moreover, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and its surrounding areas, the Chengdu–Chongqing region, the Fenwei Plain, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River region were greatly affected by the New Year's Day effect. Human activities led to higher increases in PM2.5 in Henan, Hubei, Hebei, and Anhui on 3 and 4 January 2022. If the haze was accompanied by cloudy days or weak precipitation, the accumulation of surface water vapor and atmospheric aerosols further increased the possibility of heavy pollution. It was found that, for the entire study period, PM2.5 generated by residential sources contributed the vast majority (60~100 μg/m3) of PM2.5 concentrations, and that the main industry sources that caused changes in time distributions were industrial and transportation sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the health effects of smog on different age groups in Gujranwala and its associated health effects. To achieve this, primary data was gathered through a questionnaire survey focused on health issues faced by elderly individuals during the smog season. The results of the survey revealed that older adults in Gujranwala are particularly vulnerable to a range of health problems during this period, including coughing, throat infections, irritated eyes, runny noses, shortness of breath, chest pain while breathing, wheezing, asthma, heart problems, and respiratory issues. In order to analyze the spatial distribution of these health concerns, spatial and geo-statistical methods were employed utilizing ArcGIS 10.5. By integrating field data and secondary sources, hotspot and cold spot zones were identified. Employing the statistical model within ArcMap 10.5, hotspot analysis was performed to determine areas with elevated air quality index (AQI) values and associated health problems. The application of the inverse distance weighted approach, incorporating the Z value, facilitated a visual representation of areas with heightened and reduced AQI and health-related issues. The study's outcomes underscore the prevalence of health challenges among older adults during the winter months in Gujranwala, particularly linked to smog-induced throat infections, irritated eyes, and runny noses. The research identified zones with escalated AQI values, encompassing regions such as Gujranwala, Chandaqella, Alam Chowk, Khali Shahpur, Sialkot Bypass, and Pindi Bypass. It was established that industrial pollutants and vehicular emissions are the primary contributors to smog in the area. Given the detrimental consequences of pollution on individuals of all age groups, it is imperative to take action to mitigate its impact. This can be achieved through addressing pollution sources, implementing effective emission control measures, and fostering public awareness. By adopting proactive measures, the adverse health effects of pollution can be minimized, thereby fostering a healthier and safer environment for the entire population. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and environmentalists to implement targeted interventions and improve air quality, ultimately safeguarding the health of local populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2013, China launched a landmark program to monitor air quality and disclose real-time data, significantly increasing the public's access to and awareness of pollution information. The program triggered cascading behavioral changes such as stronger avoidance of outdoor pollution exposure and increased spending on protective products. These behavioral responses mitigated the mortality impact of air pollution. Conservative estimates indicate that the program's health benefits outweigh the costs by an order of magnitude. The findings highlight the benefits of improving public access to pollution information in developing countries which often experience severe air pollution but lack pollution data collection and dissemination. (JEL D83, D91, I12, O13, P28, Q51, Q53) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propaganda, more politely called 'information operations' these days, has been a prominent feature of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Both the Russians and Ukrainians have used propaganda to court global public opinion, shape military operations, and secure or destabilize alliances. However, although they have each tried to control the war's narrative through propaganda, they cannot control social media – the enormous, entangled web of technology, actors, and interests that allows billions of users to interact, argue, and influence. This article will explain how the combination of propaganda and social media in the Russo-Ukrainian War has destabilized American civil-intelligence relations and raised political, social, and ethical questions concerning the role of citizens, both individually and collectively, in foreign wars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smog has emerged as a pressing environmental issue in Lahore, Pakistan, exacerbating health problems and threatening agricultural productivity. This is comprehensively examined, the mechanisms contributing to smog formation in Lahore, highlighting the interplay of industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, crop residue burning, and atmospheric conditions. The review further explores the multifaceted impacts of smog on agriculture, highlighting decreased crop yields, soil degradation, and adverse effects on agricultural workers' health and productivity. Moreover, the health ramifications of prolonged exposure to smog are delineated, encompassing respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. The study consolidates current research findings and identifies knowledge gaps, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches to tackle the smog crisis effectively. Strategies for mitigating smog pollution are discussed, encompassing policy interventions, technological innovations, and public awareness campaigns. By providing a comprehensive overview of the complexities surrounding smog formation, agricultural repercussions, and public health implications, these findings underscore the urgency of adopting sustainable practices and implementing stringent regulations to combat smog pollution in Pakistan.

Aims. The goal of this meteorological psychology study is to understand the behavioral implications on the professional lives of medical professionals in one of the most polluted regions of the world with a compromised air quality index. There is a paucity of literature to explore climate ethics as to how behavioral aspects of morals may alter related to climate change. Methods. The study is a cross-sectional correlational quantitative study formulated through purposive sampling. Research took place during the smog season of the world’s most polluted city. The research instruments of Climate anxiety, pain and distress, and cognitive failure were administered to a sample of 211 medical professionals. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and resulted in robust model fitness with indices between .80 and .90. Item loadings for three factors were statistically ideal of greater than. 30. Barron and Kenny’s approach was applied to conduct mediation through path analysis in which climate anxiety significantly mediates between pain distress and cognitive failure (β = .51; p < .0001). Multiple regression results using bootstrap confidence showed that climate anxiety (β = .993; p < .0001), and pain distress result in cognitive failure. The independent sample t-test was carried out to explore if nurses and doctors are different in terms of experiencing climate anxiety, pain distress, and cognitive failure. Results. There is a strong significant association among climate anxiety, pain distress, and cognitive failure with strong to moderate correlation values, p < .001. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and resulted in robust model fitness with indices between .80 and .90. Item loadings for three factors were statistically ideal at .30. 102 Nurses (M = 85.216; SD = 4.94) were more painfully distressed, prone to cognitive failure, and have climate anxiety as compared to 109 doctors (M = 71.211; SD = 9.23).

Particulate matter (PM) suspended in the air significantly impacts human health. Those of anthropogenic origin are particularly hazardous. Poland is one of the countries where the air quality during the heating season is the worst in Europe. Air quality in small towns and villages far from state monitoring stations is often much worse than in larger cities where they are located. Their residents inhale the air containing smoke produced mainly by coal-fired stoves. In the frame of this project, an air quality monitoring network was built. It comprises low-cost PMS7003 PM sensors and ESP8266 microcontrollers with integrated Wi-Fi communication modules. This article presents research results on the influence of the PM sensor location on their indications. It has been shown that the indications from sensors several dozen meters away from each other can differ by up to tenfold, depending on weather conditions and the source of smoke. Therefore, measurements performed by a network of sensors, even of worse quality, are much more representative than those conducted in one spot. The results also indicated the method of detecting a sudden increase in air pollutants. In the case of smokiness, the difference between the mean and median indications of the PM sensor increases even up to 400 µg/m3 over a 5 min time window. Information from this comparison suggests a sudden deterioration in air quality and can allow for quick intervention to protect people's health. This method can be used in protection systems where fast detection of anomalies is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic vapors from biomass burning are a major source of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Previous smog chamber studies found that the SOA contributors in biomass-burning emissions are mainly volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While intermediate volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) are efficient SOA precursors and contribute a considerable fraction of biomass-burning emissions, their contribution to SOA formation has not been directly observed. Here, by deploying a newly-developed oxidation flow reactor to study SOA formation from wood burning, we find that IVOCs can contribute ∼70% of the formed SOA, i.e. >2 times more than VOCs. This previously missing SOA fraction is interpreted to be due to the high wall losses of semi-volatile oxidation products of IVOCs in smog chambers. The finding in this study reveals that SOA production from biomass burning is much higher than previously thought, and highlights the urgent need for more research on the IVOCs from biomass burning and potentially other emission sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Delhi experienced worst air-quality days and occurrence of severe smog on 03–04 November 2022. Remote sensing data from various platforms, NOAA HYSPLIT and ERA-5 is utilized to monitor the episode of high smog conditions over Delhi during October- November 2022. It has been observed that AOD has increased up to 4 times till 04 November 2022 when compared to before the starting of burning period. Since the anthropogenic source regions are concentrated around Delhi; the adjoining areas have shown increased burning using fire count data from MODIS Aqua. Study revealed that wind pattern with reduced speeds at lower altitudes is favored to sustain smog for an extended period. The study revealed that the smog over Delhi region for an extended period is formed majorly by the transport of particulate matter and CO emission from nearby areas, compounded by the prevailing fog. Air-mass trajectory analysis confirms that atmosphere over Delhi region was influenced by the transported mass of aerosol particles which corroborated well with the areas characterized by the fire counts, indicating a role of residual burning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, Saiga antelope (Saiga t. tatarica) mass die-offs have become more common. The mass die-off of 2015 in central Kazakhstan, recorded 140,000 individual deaths across multiple herds. Previously, research has shown atmospheric humidity, the bacterium Pasteurella multocida serotype B, and resultant haemorrhagic septicaemia, were the primary cause. However, other synergistic factors may have impacted this process. Here we use a multivariate compositional data analysis (CoDA) approach to assess what other factors may have been involved. We show a pollutant linkage mechanism where relative humidity and dewpoint temperature combine with environmental pollutants, potentially toxic elements (e.g., Hg, As), complex carbon compounds (e.g., Acetone, Toluene), and inorganic compounds (e.g., CHx, SO2) which affected the Saiga during the calving season (start and peak) and at the onset of the mass die-off. We suggest a mechanism for this process. Upon arrival at their carving grounds, the Saiga experienced a sudden precipitation event, a spike in temperatures, and resultant high humidity occurs. The infectious bacterium P. multocida serotype B then spreads. Further, environmental pollutants contained within steppe soils are released to the air, forming localised smog events, these synergistically combine, and mass die-off occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smog is a form of extreme air pollution which comprises of gases such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and carbon oxides, and solid particles including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Different types of smog include acidic, photochemical, and Polish. Smog and its constituents are hazardaous to human, animals, and plants. Smog leads to plethora of morbidities such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Smog components alter the activity of various hormones including thyroid, pituitary, gonads and adrenal hormones by altering regulatory genes, oxidation status and the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Furthermore, these toxicants are responsible for the development of metabolic disorders, teratogenicity, insulin resistance, infertility, and carcinogenicity of endocrine glands. Avoiding fossil fuel, using renewable sources of energy, and limiting gaseous discharge from industries can be helpful to avoid endocrine disruption and other toxicities of smog. This review focuses on the toxic implications of smog and its constituents on endocrine system, their toxicodynamics and preventive measures to avoid hazardous health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A smog chamber was designed and comprehensively characterized. • The wall loss of gases and particles are smaller than other chambers. • The chamber can provide high quality data for gas-phase oxidation and SOA formation. Smog chambers provide a potent approach to explore the secondary organic aerosol formation under varied conditions. This study describes the construction and characterization of a new smog chamber facility for studying the formation mechanisms of gas-phase products and secondary organic aerosol from the photooxidation of volatile organic compounds. The chamber is a 5.4 m3 Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) Teflon reactor with the potential to perform photooxidation experiments at controlled temperature and relative humidity. Detailed characterizations were conducted for evaluation of stability of environmental parameters, mixing time, background contamination, light intensity, and wall losses of gases and particles. The photolysis rate of NO 2 (J NO2) ranged from (1.02−3.32) ×10−3 sec−1, comparable to the average J NO2 in ambient environment. The wall loss rates for NO, NO 2 , and O 3 were 0.47 × 10−4, 0.37 × 10−4, and 1.17 × 10−4 min−1, while wall loss of toluene was obsoletely found in a 6 hr test. The particle number wall loss rates are (0.01−2.46) ×10−3 min−1 for 40−350 nm with an average lifetime of more than one day. A series of toluene photooxidation experiments were carried out in absence of NO x under dry conditions. The results of the simulation experiments demonstrated that the chamber is well designed to simulate photolysis progress in the atmosphere. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical analyses have demonstrated that individuals exposed to severe air pollution in utero have worse health outcomes during childhood. However, there is little evidence on the long-term health impacts of air pollution exposure. The objective of this paper is to estimate the effect of in utero exposure to the Great London Smog of 1952 (GLS) on five health outcomes identified through a scoping review to be those most likely affected: respiratory, circulatory, neoplasms, mental health, and nervous system conditions. We use the GLS, an extreme air pollution event in December 1952, as a quasi-natural experiment to estimate the effect of exposure to air pollution in utero on adulthood health. Data from the UK Biobank is analysed for a cohort of participants born from December 1952 to July 1956. Differences in health outcomes between adults exposed and not exposed to the GLS due to their birth dates, born inside and outside London, were explored. Our primary focus is hospitalization events between 1997 and 2020 (corresponding to ages 40 to 69), as recorded in linked administrative data from the National Health Service (NHS). Specifically, the five primary outcomes are binary variables indicating that the individual had at least one hospitalization where the main cause of hospitalization is related to respiratory, circulatory, neoplasms, mental health, or nervous system conditions. The analytical sample comprised 36,281 individuals. A positive effect on adulthood hospitalizations due to respiratory conditions was observed. If exposed to the GLS in utero, the probability of at least one respiratory health-related hospitalization between 1997 and 2020 increased by 2.58 percentage points (95% CI 0.08, 4.30, p = 0.03), a 23% increase relative to the sample mean. Small effects were found for all other outcomes, suggesting that these conditions were not affected by the GLS. We do not find heterogeneous effects by sex or childhood socioeconomic status. This study found that a 5-day pollution exposure event while in utero significantly increased respiratory-related hospitalizations at ages 40 to 69 but had no impact on hospitalizations due to circulatory, neoplasms, mental health, and nervous system conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free-space optical (FSO) communication is a line-of-sight (LOS) communication technology that uses light, typically lasers, to transmit data through the atmosphere. FSO can provide high data transfer rates, but factors like weather conditions can affect its performance. Like fog, smog also degrades the availability and reliability of FSO links, as the particulate matter (PM) present in smog scatters the light beam, causing perceptible attenuation. In this paper, we have investigated the attenuation of an optical signal under laboratory-controlled smog conditions, using both theoretical and experimental approaches. A 6 m long acrylic chamber is used to contain artificial smog and measure the optical attenuation through it. The experimental result shows that smog attenuation is approximately 1.705 times more than fog attenuation. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the effects of smog on optical links and can contribute to the development and optimization of these systems in regions with high levels of smog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the midst of the deteriorating air pollution and collective stress, people pay close attention to risk mitigation measures such as keeping indoor and purchasing anti-smog products. Through impact evaluations, factors regarding health protective behavior can be identified. However, limited research is available regarding probabilistic interdependencies between the factors and protective behavior and largely relies on subjective diagnosis. These concerns have led us to adopt a data-driven static Bayesian network (BN) and Dynamic BN model to help explore multidimensional factors that may influence the public's health protective behavior of buying anti-smog air purifiers and examine the dependencies among network nodes. Using the city-level aggregate data from an online shopping platform, the results shed new light on relationships existing among 11 factors and protective behavior of buying air purifiers. Furthermore, taking into account the dynamic nature of protective behavior, we add time-related factors on the basis of static BN to construct the dynamic BN model. Results indicate that PM2.5 concentration and product price are the two leading factors affecting the consumption behavior for air purifiers. Additionally, media-related factors play an important role in the consumption behavior. This study contributes to the fields of impact evaluation of protective consumption behavior analysis and links environment risk with public consumption by identifying key factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Asian smog is an annually recurring air pollution event that is characterized by high concentrations of air pollutants, low visibility, and severe socio-economic disruptions. It is most frequently observed across the north-western parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Since 2016, it has become so frequent and pervasive that they are colloquially referred to as "the fifth season" in the region. During this season populations residing in this area including cities such as Lahore, Amritsar, Faisalabad, Multan, Delhi etc. are exposed to hazardous levels of air pollution. This study attempts to understand the reasons for the recent increase in the intensity and frequency of intense air pollution episodes by utilizing ground-based and satellite observations. Time-series analysis, seasonal and annual variations in PM2.5 and AOD were carried out. Satellite data of UVAAI, CO, and fire count were used to determine the fire incidences and aerosol characterization. The results indicate that during the last decade, there has been an increase in air pollution sources while crop residue burning, and motor vehicles have greatly contributed to the increased frequency and intensity of such events. The meteorological and topographical data analysis revealed that the IGP provides ample cloud- condensation nuclei and optimumconditions for the accumulations of pollutants, especially in the post-monsoon and winter periods. The Mann-Kendall test was performed to confirm the annual and seasonal trends of PM2.5. The major cities of South Asia such as Lahore, Delhi, Kathmandu, and Dhaka have recently shown a decreasing trend with respect to annual AOD. However, an increase has been observed for the period of post-monsoon especially for cities of Lahore and Delhi. To distinguish potential sources of air pollutants during extreme smog episodes in the region, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was conducted to estimate the most contributing factors to the annual smog episodes. According to the data, the transboundary pollution resulting from open-field agriculture fires has been assigned moderate importance over vehicular emissions. A HYSPLIT trajectory model coupled with ground observations and satellite data shows that the agricultural fires do have a profound impact on the air quality of the region. It highlights the importance of transboundary pollution and cooperation among cities, regions, and countries across the shared airshed of the Indo- Gangetic Plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a resource production factor in environmental governance activities, can green credit help reduce smog pollution? Based on China's provincial panel data from 2006 to 2019, this paper empirically tests the impact of green credit on smog pollution by using an OLS regression model and a spatial Durbin model. The results show that green credit helps to reduce smog pollution overall; Industrial structure upgrading and green technology innovation are two critical paths for green credit to reduce smog pollution. The analysis of period heterogeneity finds that the descending effect of green credit on smog pollution becomes more significant after the transformation of China's economic development stage. The regional heterogeneity analysis finds that the descending effect of green credit on smog pollution is more significant in non-low-carbon pilot provinces and regions with lower economic development levels. In addition, green credit not only helps to reduce local smog pollution but also has a spatial spillover effect of "benefiting thy neighbors" on smog pollution in geographically neighboring areas. This study provides important inspiration for the government to further promote the innovation of green financial instruments and promote the improvement of environmental governance performance, provides decision-making references for different regions to implement differentiated green credit strategies to improve ambient air quality, and provides an experience reference for the development of green finance and environmental governance in emerging market countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we reviewed smog chamber systems and methodologies used in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation studies. Many important chambers across the world have been reviewed, including 18 American, 24 European, and 8 Asian chambers. The characteristics of the chambers (location, reactor size, wall materials, and light sources), measurement systems (popular equipment and working principles), and methodologies (SOA yield calculation and wall-loss correction) are summarized. This review discussed key experimental parameters such as surface-to-volume ratio (S/V), temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, and wall effect that influence the results of the experiment, and how the methodologies have evolved for more accurate simulation of atmospheric processes. In addition, this review identifies the sources of uncertainties in finding SOA yields that are originated from experimental systems and methodologies used in previous studies. The intensity of the installed artificial lights (photolysis rate of NO2 varied from 0.1/min to 0.40/min), SOA density assumption (varied from 1 g/cm3 to 1.45 g/cm3), wall-loss management, and background contaminants were identified as important sources of uncertainty. The methodologies developed in previous studies to minimize those uncertainties are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population and industrialization growth is the major reason for the indoor air quality depletion. So, air quality control in sensitive area is needed to avoid air pollution-based hazards. Small economical air pollutant controlling equipment may be helpful in indoor air quality control. Present work covers the performance study of lab scale air purifier tower, 37 × 37 × 140 cm3 (LSAPT) for the removal of PM2.5, PM10 and TVOC from the polluted air in a control volume (75 m3). LSAPT follow 3 step pollutants removal procedure in which coarse particles are separated by prefilter and the fine particles are separated with the help of negative ioniser and activated carbon beds. More than 99 % of percentage of PM2.5, PM10 and TVOC removal are achieved within 100 s for initial pollutants loading of PM2.5: 1000 μg/m3 & PM10: 1000 μg/m3 and TVOC: 7.2 mg/m3 respectively. The assessment study suggests the proposed lab scale air purifier tower can be used continuously up to 10–15 days without much variation in pollutants removal efficacy. Approximately 7700 ₹ (92.40 US$) is used as installation cost and 30 ₹/hr (0.36 US$/hr) is used as consumable energy cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The goal of this meteorological psychology study is to understand the behavioral implications on the professional lives of medical professionals in one of the most polluted regions of the world with a compromised air quality index. There is a paucity of literature to explore climate ethics as to how behavioral aspects of morals may alter related to climate change. Methods. The study is a cross-sectional correlational quantitative study formulated through purposive sampling. Research took place during the smog season of the world’s most polluted city. The research instruments of Climate anxiety, pain and distress, and cognitive failure were administered to a sample of 211 medical professionals. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and resulted in robust model fitness with indices between. 80 and. 90. Item loadings for three factors were statistically ideal of greater than. 30. Barron and Kenny’s approach was applied to conduct mediation through path analysis in which climate anxiety significantly mediates between pain distress and cognitive failure (β =.51; p <. 0001). Multiple regression results using bootstrap confidence showed that climate anxiety (β =.993; p <.0001), and pain distress result in cognitive failure. The independent sample t-test was carried out to explore if nurses and doctors are different in terms of experiencing climate anxiety, pain distress, and cognitive failure. Results. There is a strong significant association among climate anxiety, pain distress, and cognitive failure with strong to moderate correlation values, p <. 001. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and resulted in robust model fitness with indices between .80 and .90. Item loadings for three factors were statistically ideal at. 30. 102 Nurses (M = 85.216; SD = 4.94) were more painfully distressed, prone to cognitive failure, and have climate anxiety as compared to 109 doctors (M = 71.211; SD = 9.23). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Chinese provincial data from 2008 to 2022, this study constructs a spatial panel data model to empirically analyze the impact of smog pollution on family financial burden, and public health's moderating effect on this relationship and the regional heterogeneity of this moderating effect. The results show that after controlling the economic development, human capital, environmental regulation, and other provincial variables, smog pollution significantly positively (negatively) affects family financial burden (public health). Furthermore, public health partially mediates the relationship between smog pollution and family financial burden. Thus, the impact of smog pollution on family financial burden can be partially realized through public health. Regionally, the impact of smog pollution on family financial burden in central and western China is higher than that in eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changing state of the environment leads to impacts on human well-being and ecosystem health, which then produces human responses to remedy these impacts, such as social controls, redirecting investments, and/or policies and political interventions to influence human activity. These responses have an impact on the state of the environment, either directly or indirectly, through the driving forces or the pressures. The article focuses on the conditions of air in the cities which directly affects human health. As a case study, the activities of the non-governmental organization - Polish Smog Alert (PSA, Pol. Polski Alarm Smogowy) were focused on. Efficiently operating non-governmental organizations in a democratic state allow for optimal realization of the interests of all citizens. The main objective was to examine the effectiveness of the Polish Smog Alert as an organization working for the environment - mainly clean air. The conducted analysis concerned the fulfillment by PSA of the four basic functions that a non-governmental organization should perform: educational - influencing the shape of civic awareness and attitudes regarding environmental issues; integration - impact on partnership relations between entities that can jointly implement the goal of improving air quality in cities; mobilization - a set of substantive content and instruments inspiring citizens, public authorities and other groups and organizations to be active in the field of ensuring clean air; programing - direct impact on the process of shaping state policy. The main research method was the analysis of content posted on the organization's website and in its social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the asymmetry between the air protection policies of the central government and local authorities in Poland, using the city of Kraków as a case study. Methodology: The study employs a comparative method to contrast the Polish state's coal policy with the air protection efforts of the Kraków local government. A systems analysis approach is used to identify the causes and effects of the divergent policies. Results: The analysis reveals a lack of alignment between the central government's focus on maintaining coal extraction and the local government's efforts to reduce air pollution. Kraków authorities have taken significant measures to improve air quality, but face challenges due to insufficient support from the central government and neighboring municipalities. Theoretical contribution: The paper highlights the importance of policy symmetry and coordination between different levels of government in addressing complex environmental issues like air pollution. It contributes to understanding multi-level governance dynamics in the context of air protection. Practical implications: The findings underscore the need for a collaborative model of air protection policy that engages central authorities, local governments, private sector entities, and civil society. Establishing air protection councils at the voivodship, county and municipal levels is proposed as a mechanism to facilitate this coordination. Integrating air quality considerations into local governments' management control systems is also recommended.

The rapid urbanization and growing number of factories, human population, and motor vehicles have led to a drastic increase in the concentration of air pollutants. This smog is one of the most important disturbances in city planning. Urban trees play a vital role in the improvement of air quality. The selection of high-potential trees to capture air pollutants provides an attractive route for the mitigation of urban smog. The current study explored the air purification potential of the four most abundant trees, i.e., white mulberry (Morus alba L.), plane tree (Platanus orientalis L.), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), and Tehran pine (Pinus eldarica Ten.)], as phytoremediators grown in three parks located in regions with low, moderate, and high levels of air pollution in Tehran on the mitigation of four urban hazardous gases (O3, NO2, CO, and SO2) and in altering the content of respiratory gases (CO2 and O2). The measurement of gas levels was carried out in September–October, from 1.30 to 1.50 m above the ground. The concentration of gases was measured by an ambient gas assessment device (Aeroqual). Broad-leaf deciduous species had a greater ability to mitigate O3, NO2, CO, CO2, and SO2 concentrations than needle-leaf evergreen species. The lowest levels of O3 and CO were found around P. orientalis (0.035 and 0.044 ppm, respectively), whereas the content of O2 was the highest in the atmosphere of this tree (20.80 ppm). The lowest content of NO2 (0.081 ppm) and SO2 (0.076 ppm) was determined in the vicinity of M. alba and F. excelsior, respectively. Among the studied species, P. orientalis proved to be the best for air phytoremediation, effectively mitigating hazardous gases more than the other species. Conversely, P. eldarica is not recommended for air phytoremediation in urban green spaces. Future research should focus on exploring a wider range of tree species and their potential for air pollution mitigation in diverse urban settings across different seasons and climatic conditions.

Open data portals have been implemented in numerous countries to provide accessible, usable, and reproducible data. This study aims to assess the readability of datasets from Open Data Pakistan. Using the URL (https://opendata.com.pk/) in an online readability checking tool, six well-known readability formulas were employed, including Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease, Flesch Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Score, Smog Index, Coleman Liau Index, and Automated Readability Index. The average score of each formula was calculated to analyze the standard readability of the open data portal. Additionally, the website was explored to evaluate the overall status of open datasets, showcases, and features like "Connect" on Open Data Pakistan. The findings indicated that the Open Data Pakistan website has a reading difficulty, scoring an average of 47.4 out of 100, making it challenging for the general public to read. However, the overall analysis suggested that the readability status of open data in Pakistan is satisfactory. These results offer insights into improving the readability of open data for enhanced citizen participation and informed decision-making. Moreover, the study has implications for policymakers and stakeholders regarding the readability of Open Data Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of considering readability in open data publication policies and guidelines, with a recommendation to decrease the percentage of open data portals categorized as hard to read. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating concern about anthropogenic influences on climate necessitates a comparative analysis of the impacts of various human activities, such as the greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas usage relative to other fossil fuels. Crucial in this context is the assessment of methane emissions vis-à-vis carbon dioxide emissions and their respective environmental impacts. Air pollution, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and industrialization, has led to a deterioration in air quality, resulting in the release of harmful pollutants. This degradation poses a significant threat to human health, with the World Health Organization (2016) reporting that over 85% of urban dwellers are exposed to pollution levels exceeding recommended limits. Addressing this, the proposed study introduces a smart air pollution monitoring system using an MQ2 sensor. This sensor detects airborne contaminants and outputs voltage pulses, which are then translated into parts per million to quantify air quality in specific areas. Furthermore, the paper presents the design and implementation of an innovative Internet of Things (IoT)-dependent structure incorporating anti-smog towers. These towers create a virtual greenhouse effect, which is posited as beneficial in mitigating the deleterious effects of atmospheric pollutants on human health. The objective of this study is to explore technological innovations and observational methods employed in smart smog towers for improving air quality. The research delves into the potential of such IoT-based systems in creating safer urban environments, underscoring the importance of technological advancements in environmental sensing and pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of poor air quality in urban areas has a negative impact on the health of residents. This is especially important during periods of smog. In Poland, as in other countries, the problem of poor air quality, especially during the winter season, is associated with a high concentration of particulate pollutants in ambient air (PM10, PM2.5). Sources of particulate emissions, in addition to solid-fuel boilers, include means of transportation, especially those equipped with diesel engines. In turn, during periods of strong sunshine (spring and summer), the problem of photochemical smog, whose precursors are nitrogen oxides NOX, arises in urban areas. Their main sources of emissions are internal combustion engines. Therefore, to improve air quality in urban areas, changes are being made in the transport sector, among which is upgrading the fleet of urban transport vehicles to low- or zero-emission vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly. In addition, measures that reduce the harmfulness of the transportation sector to air quality include the introduction of clean transportation zones, as well as park-and-ride (P&R) systems. The purpose of this article is to present the results in terms of PM10, PM2.5, and NOx emission reductions, implemented over a period of two years (2021–2022) in the area of the Rzeszow agglomeration, related to the modernization of the suburban bus fleet and the implementation of a P&R system for passenger cars. The results of the study were compared with the value of estimated emissions from coal-fired boilers used for residential heating and hot water, which also contribute to smog. Thanks to the implementation of the project, i.e., the replacement of 52 old buses with new buses of the Euro VI emission class and the construction of new P&R spaces, the total average annual reduction in emissions amounted to approximately 703.6 kg of PM10, approximately 692.7 kg of PM2.5, and a reduction of approximately 10.4 tons of NOX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines smog-related challenges in Pakistan, emphasizing its sources, health, economic, and environmental impacts, and proposed solutions. Smog, primarily from vehicular and industrial emissions, poses health risks and socio-economic consequences. Lahore's severe smog episodes signify a larger national concern. Addressing smog demands a holistic approach integrating regulatory, technological, social, and behavioral interventions. Discussed preventive measures involve public awareness campaigns, real-time air quality monitoring using digital tools, promoting cleaner behaviors, and strict emission control policies. Initiatives like the Billion Tree Tsunami aim to reduce smog severity through expanded green plantation. Challenges include inadequate policy enforcement, the need for public transport encouragement, and reduction of private vehicle reliance. Addressing industrial emissions and transitioning to renewable energy are vital. Theoretical implications stress adopting technology and behavior models for community engagement and policy formation. Practical implications involve integrating digital tools like IoT sensors for improved air quality monitoring. The study emphasizes collaborative efforts between authorities and citizens to effectively combat smog. It underscores the necessity for future strategies involving innovative technology, expanded infrastructure, and knowledge-sharing for a cleaner environment, especially in cities like Lahore, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smog is a form of extreme air pollution which comprises of gases such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and carbon oxides, and solid particles including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Different types of smog include acidic, photochemical, and Polish. Smog and its constituents are hazardaous to human, animals, and plants. Smog leads to plethora of morbidities such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Smog components alter the activity of various hormones including thyroid, pituitary, gonads and adrenal hormones by altering regulatory genes, oxidation status and the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Furthermore, these toxicants are responsible for the development of metabolic disorders, teratogenicity, insulin resistance, infertility, and carcinogenicity of endocrine glands. Avoiding fossil fuel, using renewable sources of energy, and limiting gaseous discharge from industries can be helpful to avoid endocrine disruption and other toxicities of smog. This review focuses on the toxic implications of smog and its constituents on endocrine system, their toxicodynamics and preventive measures to avoid hazardous health effects.

South Asian smog is an annually recurring air pollution event that is characterized by high concentrations of air pollutants, low visibility, and severe socio-economic disruptions. It is most frequently observed across the north-western parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Since 2016, it has become so frequent and pervasive that they are colloquially referred to as “the fifth season” in the region. During this season populations residing in this area including cities such as Lahore, Amritsar, Faisalabad, Multan, Delhi etc. are exposed to hazardous levels of air pollution. This study attempts to understand the reasons for the recent increase in the intensity and frequency of intense air pollution episodes by utilizing ground-based and satellite observations. Time-series analysis, seasonal and annual variations in PM2.5 and AOD were carried out. Satellite data of UVAAI, CO, and fire count were used to determine the fire incidences and aerosol characterization. The results indicate that during the last decade, there has been an increase in air pollution sources while crop residue burning, and motor vehicles have greatly contributed to the increased frequency and intensity of such events. The meteorological and topographical data analysis revealed that the IGP provides ample cloud-condensation nuclei and optimum conditions for the accumulations of pollutants, especially in the post-monsoon and winter periods. The Mann-Kendall test was performed to confirm the annual and seasonal trends of PM2.5. The major cities of South Asia such as Lahore, Delhi, Kathmandu, and Dhaka have recently shown a decreasing trend with respect to annual AOD. However, an increase has been observed for the period of post-monsoon especially for cities of Lahore and Delhi. To distinguish potential sources of air pollutants during extreme smog episodes in the region, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was conducted to estimate the most contributing factors to the annual smog episodes. According to the data, the transboundary pollution resulting from open-field agriculture fires has been assigned moderate importance over vehicular emissions. A HYSPLIT trajectory model coupled with ground observations and satellite data shows that the agricultural fires do have a profound impact on the air quality of the region. It highlights the importance of transboundary pollution and cooperation among cities, regions, and countries across the shared airshed of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.