Studies on Photochemical Smog Phenomena and Its Effects on Plant Damage in Tokyo

Abstract

Conditions and factors on the emergence of air pollution caused by photochemical reaction and its effects on plants have been intensively studied at the Air Pollution Division of The Tokyo Metropolitan Research Institute for Environmental Protection. As a result so far, Report 1 (July, 1971), Report 2 (March, 1972) and Report 3 (March, 1974) of ?gSurveys and Research on Photochemical Smog in Tokyo" have been made pablic. These reports were written by fellow researchers and compiled by the author, the Director of Air Pollution Division. In this paper, the author summarizes the three reports, which consist of total 1671 pages, and adds some of his interpretations and implications to them, categorizing the content as follows1) Facts about photochemical smog found out in Tokyo and in U.S.A. in the past.2) Comparisons of primary and secondary pollutants concentration between in Tokyo and in Los Angeles.3) Announcements of warning made in emergencies of photochemical smog in Japan.4) Announcements of warning made in emergencies of photochemical smog in Tokyo.5) Human injury suspected to have been caused by photochemical smog.6) Relations between weather conditions and oxidants concentration in Tokyo Metropolitan Area.7) Behavior of atmospheric lower layer and pollutants concentration in Tokyo Metropolitan Area.8) Secondary pollutants and their causing substances.9) Plant damage due to photochemical smog in Tokyo.