Scientists have long known that pollution and dust from China travels over the Pacific to the western United States. What they haven’t been able to figure out is how much. Until now.
In a paper published in the latest issue of the scholarly journal Environmental Science and Technology and picked up by Chemical & Engineering News, a team of geochemists announced that they have developed a method for tracing fine airborne particulate pollution (also known as PM2.5 because the particles are less than 2.5 microns wide) with origins in East Asia by testing for a specific lead isotope, 208Pb, found in greater concentrations in coal and metal ores from the region.
Of course pollution made in China gets to this side of the Pacific! Anyone who doesn’t consider such a possibility has his/her head in an awkward place. This is yet another reason not to approve any “environmental” treaties that exclude China (or any other place that exudes serious pollution), or reward it with schemes like “cap and trade”. As a geoscientist I’ve warned about this for many years, but was drowned out by folks with leftist political agendas. Maybe now they’ll listen.
so…we should do nothing in the world because china won’t bargain?
magnolia,
I didn’t say do nothing. Don’t try to put words into my computer. I favor holding the Chinese, and anyone else who’s a problem, to account. BTW, producing pollution is distinct from the myth of AGW…the latter is something I don’t intend to debate here, since it is not the topic under consideration.