Health Advisory Issued For Marianas, Guam As Smog From SE Asian Fires, Chinese Factories Arrives

[hatrack]

The National Weather Service first issued a smog advisory for the Northern Mariana Islands yesterday morning and subsequently added Guam to the list of areas affected by the smog. Even healthy people are advised to stay indoors to reduce exposure to the smog. "Healthy people may experience breathing problems and eye and nose irritations," the release states. "Health risks may increase during high smog and heat levels, particularly to those who play sports or exercise outdoors, cyclists and/or others who are active outside."

This time, the polluted air is primarily made up of smoke from fires in Southeast Asia but may also contain particles from volcanic smog, or vog, from the Anatahan volcano, according to the advisory. Winds are expected to continue bringing the haze into the Marianas through this evening, according to the NWS advisory.

Late last month, industrial pollution from China made its way to the region, swallowing the island for almost a week. After a little less than a week of clear skies, Guam was again blanketed with a haze.

Vog, made of sulfur dioxide gases mixed with other volcanic pollutants, drifted from the Anatahan volcano to Guam, bringing the smell of rotten eggs to the island.

EDIT

http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/NEWS01/703190306/1002

[july302001]

1. ugh

This is terrible. Guam is distant from land. No one can control "vog"...but smog can be controlled...

[hogwyld]

2. I'm in China right now

And the pollution from all of the factories here spewing coal smoke is horrendous!

[july302001]

3. pictures?

If you can take pictures/upload them, that would help spread the word.

I've heard that there are illegal coal plants in China.