digital thoughts

How far the nasty polluted smoke in Mumbai spread? Scientists in US claim that it travels as far as west coast of America!  

A recent study by Texas A&M University researchers says that pollution from India and China is affecting the weather in US, especially the west coast.

“During the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in atmospheric aerosols mostly sulfate and soot from coal burning especially in China and India,” explains Professor Renyi Zhang, who authored the study.

Both countries have seen huge increases in their economies, which mean more large factories and power plants to sustain such growth. All of these emit immense quantities of pollution much of it soot and sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere, which is carried by the prevailing winds over the Pacific Ocean and eventually worldwide, the researchers reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“This pollution directly affects our weather,” explained Zhang. The study is the first large-scale analysis to draw a link between Asian air pollution and the changing Pacific weather patterns.

“The pollution transported from Asia makes storms stronger and deeper and more energetic,” said Zhang, who is professor of atmospheric sciences. 

So, when your vehicle emits too much soot next time, go and fix the problem right away; otherwise you may be responsible for Katrina in California!