Severe Winter Ozone Pollution Linked to Petrochemical Emissions
ECONOMY & POLICY

Severe Winter Ozone Pollution Linked to Petrochemical Emissions

A recent study has revealed that severe wintertime ozone (O3) pollution, typically associated with warm weather, is being driven by alkene emissions from local petrochemical industries in Lanzhou, China. Researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University discovered alarming O3 levels in the cold winter months of January 2018, with concentrations exceeding 100 parts per billion (ppbv) and peaking at an alarming 121 ppbv. This is contrary to the traditional belief that O3 pollution mainly occurs during hot weather with strong solar radiation.

The team used an advanced photochemical box model to simulate photochemical smog at the urban scale, identifying alkene ozonolysis as the main contributor to O3 formation. Unlike the typical radical sources initiated by sunlight, the alkene reaction occurs without sunlight and produces reactive radicals that accelerate O3 production. Alkenes, particularly trans/cis-2-butene and propene, contributed to nearly 90% of the O3 levels during the pollution episodes.

The study highlights the need for targeted mitigation strategies, suggesting that reducing alkene levels by 28.6% or nitrogen oxides by 27.7% during early afternoon hours could significantly reduce O3 levels. The authors stressed the importance of taking action in industrial regions to reduce these harmful emissions.

Long-term exposure to high O3 levels can damage respiratory tissues, causing inflammation, irritation, and exacerbating asthma symptoms, posing serious health risks to the local population.

A recent study has revealed that severe wintertime ozone (O3) pollution, typically associated with warm weather, is being driven by alkene emissions from local petrochemical industries in Lanzhou, China. Researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University discovered alarming O3 levels in the cold winter months of January 2018, with concentrations exceeding 100 parts per billion (ppbv) and peaking at an alarming 121 ppbv. This is contrary to the traditional belief that O3 pollution mainly occurs during hot weather with strong solar radiation. The team used an advanced photochemical box model to simulate photochemical smog at the urban scale, identifying alkene ozonolysis as the main contributor to O3 formation. Unlike the typical radical sources initiated by sunlight, the alkene reaction occurs without sunlight and produces reactive radicals that accelerate O3 production. Alkenes, particularly trans/cis-2-butene and propene, contributed to nearly 90% of the O3 levels during the pollution episodes. The study highlights the need for targeted mitigation strategies, suggesting that reducing alkene levels by 28.6% or nitrogen oxides by 27.7% during early afternoon hours could significantly reduce O3 levels. The authors stressed the importance of taking action in industrial regions to reduce these harmful emissions. Long-term exposure to high O3 levels can damage respiratory tissues, causing inflammation, irritation, and exacerbating asthma symptoms, posing serious health risks to the local population.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

Schindler named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026

Schindler has been named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026, a global ranking recognising companies for their workplace environments.Compiled by Forbes in partnership with Statista, the ranking is based on independent employee feedback, including whether employees would recommend their organisation to friends and family.The company said the recognition reflected its focus on creating a workplace where employees can develop their expertise and build careers. ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India needs an export-execution mindset: Vishesh Jain

Interview with Vishesh Jain, Founder & CEO, EximpleWhat gaps in India’s global trade ecosystem led you to build Eximple, and what problem did you see businesses struggling with most?Eximple came out of a problem that all three founders had seen from different choke points in the trade ecosystem. India has millions of MSMEs and manufacturers, and many of them can make products that are genuinely competitive on quality. Yet only a small fraction is able to build meaningful international businesses. In our experience, the gap is usually not manufacturing capability; it is the ability to exe..

Next Story
Building Material

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid re..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code