Tracking Pollution From Space

Reported October 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Every day, we count on information from satellites to guide the GPS in our cars, track approaching hurricanes, or just tell us what the weather will be like tomorrow -- but could satellite data also help protect us from pollution that could be hazardous to our health? That's what researchers are trying to find out.

As long as he’s at the beach -- renting bikes and not cars -- Charlie Shaw doesn’t worry much about air pollution.

"It’s not a thought to me, because 90 percent of the time the wind is coming off the ocean and there’s really not much out there," Shaw told Ivanhoe.

In most major cities though, ground-level ozone and pollution from other sources is something to worry about -- and closely monitor to protect public health.

But what about areas where there is traffic and industry, but no air pollution monitors?

Environmental fluid dynamicist Joseph Fernando, Ph.D., says with growing industry along the Mexican border, air quality is getting worse -- but there hasn’t been a way to monitor it. Now, his engineering research team is using satellite data to improve computer models that help predict pollution levels.

"So we can get information today and start the model today," Dr. Fernando, who works at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., told Ivanhoe.

Instruments on NASA’s aura satellite help researchers predict the height of air pollution particles. On an hour-by-hour basis, unhealthy events show up in red. Because these computer models can predict pollution movement and concentration in specific areas, health warnings can be issued hours in advance.

"If you have prediction tonight, then in the evening you can put out a warning for tomorrow," Dr. Fernando said.

In the years ahead, satellites could be key to understanding ozone worldwide to protect public health -- and help us all breathe easier.

The American Meteorological Society and the American Geophysical Union contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Joe Fernando
Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
Tempe, AZ
(480) 965-2807
j.fernando@asu.edu

American Meteorological Society
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-2425
http://www.ametsoc.org

Peter Weiss
American Geophysical Union
(800) 966-2481
http://www.agu.org
pweiss@agu.org

Whether it’s cancer or macular degeneration, many times patients must face the reality that they will go blind. Now, a new treatment is helping save their sight.

To the average person, 20-20 vision is just fine -- but for athletes to succeed, their vision must be much sharper. That’s why many are turning to sports vision therapy to stay on top of their game.

What if instead of waging war or dropping blocks, gamers set their sights on something like a new HIV vaccine? Sounds strange, but biochemistry might be the new must-play video game.

An intensive care unit (ICU) is home to critically ill patients who often spend day and night in bed hooked up to life support machines and monitors -- but not anymore. Now, a new device is getting patients out of bed faster than ever.

Golfers losing on the course now have a new -- and real -- excuse for a poor game. Experts say foot pain can get in the way of your performance on the course.

Every weekend, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns -- using 800 million gallons of fuel each year. Research shows a standard gas-powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each being driven 12 thousand miles. That's a lot of gas, never mind the sweat and hard work! To address this problem, experts have developed a new type of grass that's cutting mowing needs in half -- and promising to make your neighbors green with envy.

Fall is here -- and that means the beautiful colors of summer will soon start to fade away. One man is trying to extend summer -- or at least one part of it -- by creating a flower that blooms all summer long.

Green building is a growing trend across the country. Eco-friendly homes are being built with recycled wood, solar panels and energy efficient appliances -- but what is healthy for the environment could hide a growing problem in its walls.

Every day, we count on information from satellites to guide the GPS in our cars, track approaching hurricanes, or just tell us what the weather will be like tomorrow -- but could satellite data also help protect us from pollution that could be hazardous to our health? That's what researchers are trying to find out.

This year has been one of the most active tornado seasons of the last 50 years. In the first half of the year alone, 118 people were killed by a tornado touchdown. The unpredictability of tornadoes is worsening as they strike in places once considered unusual. In August, a tornado warning was even issued in New York City -- and touchdowns like these are keeping meteorologists busy.

In most American cities, gridlock is a fact of life -- but don’t blame it all on that daily commute. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected. Natural disasters and other emergencies can create huge traffic jams. In fact, hurricanes Katrina and Gustav both forced 2 million people out of their homes. Now, scientists and engineers may have a solution to evacuation chaos.

The last time man walked on the moon was in 1972. Now, NASA is planning to re-visit the moon by the year 2020 -- but a shocking discovery about Earth's companion may put a hold on those plans.