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Natural and artificially emitted hydrocarbons in
the presence of oxides of nitrogen undergo photochemical reactions which produce
a cloud of toxic chemicals including ozone and a variety of caustic agents. This
process is powered by sunlight and some of the products, such as ozone, reach a
peak soon after photon flux from the sun reaches a maximum, around midday. The
thermal inversions often associated with some cities can lead to a dangerous
buildup of smog in urban areas. Human deaths have been attributed to
photochemical smog since the Industrial Revolution in cities such as London and
New York.
[Science; v.241; p.1473; 1988.] [Atmospheric Environment. Part A,
General Topics; v.26A; p.625; 1992.]
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