How does NASA track air pollution from space?

Measuring pollution from space. Satellites measure the concentration of particles (aerosols) in the atmosphere by observing how much light reaches the surface of the Earth and how much is reflected off the aerosols. The measurement is called aerosol optical depth or aerosol optical thickness.

How can air pollution be monitored?

Air quality is measured with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The AQI works like a thermometer that runs from 0 to 500 degrees. However, instead of showing changes in the temperature, the AQI is a way of showing changes in the amount of pollution in the air. Air quality is a measure of how clean or polluted the air is.

How does NASA protect the environment?

NASA has been on the path to achieve long-term sustainability goals for many years through numerous efforts in energy conservation, recycling, water management, pollution prevention, design and construction, maintenance and operations, master planning, and electronic stewardship.

What is NASA doing to help with climate change?

NASA is an expert in climate and Earth science. While its role is not to set climate policy or prescribe particular responses or solutions to climate change, its purview does include providing the robust scientific data needed to understand climate change and evaluating the impact of efforts to address it.

Does NASA pollute?

Space launches can have a hefty carbon footprint due to the burning of solid rocket fuels. Rocket engines release trace gases into the upper atmosphere that contribute to ozone depletion, as well as particles of soot.

How NASA is helping the world breathe more easily?

Luckily, many of NASA’s Earth-observing satellites can see what the human eye can’t — including potentially harmful pollutants lingering in the air we breathe. …

What monitoring equipment would you use to monitor air pollution?

An indoor air quality meter is used in confined spaces to prevent mold, to monitor CO2 levels, or to detect gas leaks. Whether portable or fixed, handheld or wall mounted, air quality monitoring equipment is essential for ensuring health and safety.

How does climate change affect air quality?

Climate change might also affect human health by making our air less healthy to breathe. Higher temperatures lead to an increase in allergens and harmful air pollutants. Higher temperatures associated with climate change can also lead to an increase in ozone, a harmful air pollutant.

Has air pollution decreased in the US?

In 2020, about 68 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the United States. In addition, from 1990 to 2017 emissions of air toxics declined by 74 percent, largely driven by federal and state implementation of stationary and mobile source regulations.

When did we start measuring air quality?

And in 1970, a milestone year, Congress passed the Clean Air Act Amendments which led to the establishment of the nation’s air quality standards.