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bitter pill made of rain, clouds and ozone (The bitter pill in the greenhouse) Burning coal and oil (both important sources of energy generation) sets free pollutants such as sulphur and nitric acid which the rain brings down to the earth again. This is called acid rain. It damages plants, acidifies soil, rivers and lakes. Acid rain is also responsible for the dying of forests and ultimately for the reduction of animal diversity. Today, all of Europe is suffering the effects. Ozone In a distance of 20 to 50 km above the earth's surface an ozone layer surrounds our planet. This layer shields us from the aggressive ultraviolet rays of the sun. Only the visible and life-generating rays of the sun can get through this layer but not the UV-rays. Initially in 1986, scientists discovered during some seasons steadily growing holes in the ozone layer. Through these holes the UV-rays can reach the earth without being filtered. The results of this situation are climate changes, harvest losses and increasing rates of skin cancer due to CFCs which themselves are a result of air pollution and which at the same time are mostly responsible for these effects. American scientists discovered CFCs in the 1970s. CFC is used as a propellant agent for spray cans and the foaming of synthetic materials, as a coolant in refrigerators and freezers and as a solvent. Unfortunately, these substances are stable and build up in the ozone layer which they destroy. The dangers of ozone Ozone in low-lying atmospheric layers can cause stress in human beings, animals and plants. Ozone is an invisible gas. High concen- trations of ozone can have damaging effects. In the summer, high levels of ozone combined with physical activities outdoors may cause the following irritations in humans: o head aches, o vision problems, o fatigue, o coughing. |
Plants
and eco-systems also react to high levels of ozone. Reduced forest harvests can also be related to high concen- trations of ozone. How is ozone generated In hot, sunny weather air pollutants stemming from vehicles, the industry and private households generate ozone. Main sources of ozone generation: o Road traffic with an approximate share of 70 % of nitrogen oxides and approximately 50 % of hydrocarbons o The industry and power stations with approximately 25 % of the nitrogen oxides and approximately 35 % of the hydrocarbons Ozone is the main ingredient of so-called 'summer smog'. The Ozone Law and other legislation The Federal Government supports far-reaching measures such as avoidance of transportation needs, redirection of transportation needs and technical improvements of vehicles. Special clean air regulations as well as other regulations concerning the limitation of halogenated hydrocarbons outputs as well as the introduction of the controlled 3-way-catalyst have already led to decreasing amounts of pollutants. Some of the already introduced or planned measures to reduce ozone suffering are the following: Mandatory checks of exhaust fumes, Introduction of a motor vehicle tax based on levels of emissions Reduction of hydrocarbon gas emissions when filling up cars (suction tubes at petrol stations), Improvement of fuel quality, Development of environmentally friendly paints and enamels, Three-stage plan concerning the drastic lowering of pollutant emissions
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