In this weeks Environmental Health News, I read the effects of fertilizer in the quality of air for California. A study done by UC Davis is showing that there is a reduced amount of nitrogen oxide emissions in the air due to excessive amounts of fertilizer. Nitrogen oxide can cause harmful ozone which has a variety of negative effects on the community. The states Central Valley is primarily in charge of growing many of our nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Perhaps the reason farmers feel it is necessary to use more fertilizer is because of global warming. However, the article states nitrous oxide which is a component of nitrogen oxide has 300 times more impact on global warming than a pound of carbon dioxide. This is an alarming amount! It seems to me that it may be hard to figure out which is coming first. If the excessive fertilization is happening due to global warming or because the fertilization itself is becoming a vicious cycle of increased nitrogen oxide. The potential solution they have found is utilizing slow-release fertilizer to reduce the amount of emissions. Like the article states, it is important for the policy makers to create a law surrounding this issue or we could see harmful effects in the long term future.
Reference:
Bienkoswki, B. (2018). Fertilizer is fouling the air in California: Study. Retrieved Februrary 1, 2018 from http://www.ehn.org/california-fertilizer-nitrogen-air-pollution-2530258544.html
Wow, this is a very scary topic. I knew that farmers around California were using an excessive amount of fertilizer but I did not think that it was affecting the quality of air in this state. Although, it does make sense. Fertilizer not only affects the ground but also affects the air as well.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you shared this article, now I can share it with my family and friends too :)
Hi Tina,
ReplyDeleteI agree that issues regarding climate change/global warming should be brought up to policy makers to come up with regulations that can limit the amount of fertilizers being use. It is really worrisome to think that farmers are using increasing amount of fertilizer that is harming our ozone but it may also be a heath issues for us, not just breathing bad air quality but also eating foods that was grown with a large amount of fertilizer.