On Wednesday, May 28, 1997 8:31 AM Jim Stewart wrote: >Smog is pollution if > it causes you problems. The point (really finally!) is that saying > 80% of air pollution comes from vegetation suggests that vegetation > causes 80% of our air pollution problems. This is clearly deflecting > attention and action from the source of the problem, which is that > human sources such auto emissions are the major source of the air > pollution problem. Changing the tree species that line the streets > might help, but the problem won't go away until the real source of > the problem is tackled. I agree 100% re the definition of pollution. If the world were antiseptic we would all be dead. The pollen in the air can sometimes be "pollution" if it causes hay fever and difficulty for asthmatics. If there was no pollen there would be no plants. It strikes me that California's concern about tree species is a bit on the retentive side. Where is there any evidence that the organics from trees are a problem. Even photochemical smog from cars is mainly an aesthetic problem except in the worst cases. The particulates are thought to be the real health problem. Next they will be worried about the sulfur that comes from the sea and the thousands of natural toxic pesticides produced by plants (one example of which is allelopathy) Cheers Patrick Moore, Greenspirit 4068 West 32nd Avenue Vancouver, BC, CANADA V6S 1Z6 e-mail pmoore@rogers.wave.ca 604-221-1990 ph. 604-221-1990 fax web http://www.greenspirit.com May the Forest be With You visit http://www.forest.org
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