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From: novikoff@tesla.UUCP (Eric A. Novikoff)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers
Subject: Re: Re: No Leaded Gas -- Now What? [trees]
Message-ID: <545@tesla.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 27-Mar-85 11:10:39 EST
Article-I.D.: tesla.545
Posted: Wed Mar 27 11:10:39 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 28-Mar-85 03:17:55 EST
References: <341@ho95b.UUCP> <256@rtech.ARPA>
Reply-To: novikoff@tesla.UUCP (Eric A. Novikoff)
Organization: Cornell University, Electrical Engineering Dept.
Lines: 27
Xref: watmath net.auto:6253 net.consumers:2059
Summary: 

>The pines probably emit turpenes, which are hydrocarbons similar to
>turpentine.  Ozone is ionized oxygen.
>
>I've never heard any evidence that tree emissions are harmful.  On the other
>hand, we know that auto emissions are harmful.  Which would you rather breath:
>the air from the Blue Ridge Mountains, or that from Los Angeles?
>
>A little common sense goes a long way.  If plants and trees really contribute
>more to air pollution than cars and factories do, then why is the air quality
>so much worse in urban than in rural areas?
>-- 
>Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
>aka Swazoo Koolak

Air pollution is just a matter of concentration.  If all the pollution from
cars, power plants, etc. were perfectly mixed into the atmosphere, we would
never notice it.  However, when pollutants get concentrated in a natural basin,
such as Los Angeles, and trapped by a lack of air circulation (the famous
LA inversions) then they become a problem.  The photochemical smog from  trees
is just as bad as that from cars, but usually does not reach such severe
levels as in cities because the geography is different and the sources
not as concentrated.  The Great Smoky Mountains are an exception: I guess
the air circulation there is poor.  (As it is in most mountain valleys.)
Besides, we have CONTROL over the smog level in cities, so why not do
something about it if it is unhealthy?

		-Eric Novikoff