Problem

Oil smoke

Nature:

Smoke produced by burning oil contains soot (carbon black), sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Incidence:

The smoke cloud produced by burning oil wells following the Gulf War produced a steep rise in the numbers of asthma suffers, and complaints such as severe eczema and eye irritation. Sheep and other grazing animals died from hydrocarbon-contaminated grass. The smoke was injected 5000 metres into the atmosphere. Smoke, black rain and black snow were reported over 3,500 kilometres away.

Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Problem Type:
G: Very specific problems
Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST