Air Pollution

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32380, 20 August 1970, Page 14

Air Pollution

Sir, —“P.J.A.” seems to be under the delusion that photosynthetic rate in plants is regulated by the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. To any biologist such an idea is heresy. Photosynthesis is controlled by temperature and light intensity. Thus an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the air will have an inverse effect on plants, sunlight being unable to penetrate the dense layers of L carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide will not be able to stimulate the photosynthetic process; and so plants, and all , animals, will slowly die out. Carbon dioxide certainly has a place in the scheme of things—to speed up the death of all life on earth.—Yours, etc., A.S.N. August 18, 1970.

Sir, —Has Edinburgh any regulations on air pollution? If our city atmosphere continues to deteriorate at the present -rate, will the games visitors enjoy themselves? What types of smoke are not noxious? The clearance of our transport vehicles demonstrates what can be done. How many cars, how many rubbish fires, how many pipes from various works, add their quota all the year? One type of fume is attacked. Others are just as responsible for ill health. Those suffering in the vicinity have the answer in hospital statistics. Eye troubles must be added to the list Mr Densem quoted.— Yours, etc. HUMAN RIGHT TO BREATHE. August 19, 1970.

Sir, —In reply to Annette McCallum, on a very hot day last February there was a “smog” denser than some in winter. The fact has yet to be proved that admixture of household smoke to the concoction of sea and river fog, city fug, dust and “glog” dangerously densifies this occasional feature of the Christchurch scene. The use of household fossil-fuel is dwindling, anyway, in this pressbutton age of domestic chores avoidance, so electrifying to the with-its, without-its, and the old fossils too. But the feature will remain, probably in a colour shade more comforting to those suffering from fumophobia.—Yours, etc., A. B. CEDARIAN. August 19, 1970. Sir,—The greatest single source of air pollution in Christchurch is, without doubt the Heathcote dump, where a fire burns continuously, with great clouds of smoke. One would imagine that a local authority would feel a responsibility to reduce air pollution and certainly not add to it The City Council’s Rowan Avenue dump does not similarly offend.—Yours, etc., SMOG HAPPY. Augus 19, 1970. [This correspondence is now closed.—Ed., “The Press.”]