A comprehensive study of natural and man-made air pollution "What's in the Air" contains scientific information about chemical compounds found in air. Later chapters contain opinions with the highest levels of deduction available in 1998.
Stephen E. Blewett is a Graduate of Stanford University in Chemistry and Meteorology. As an expert in air pollution he wrote several scientific papers. Co-Writer Mary Embree wrote for television shows and became a Freelance Editor before she opened a self-publishing website. Obviously Blewett wrote the scientific theories, while Embree provided the written structure so an average reader understands concepts.
A shorter book with focus on individual topics it is similar to a thesis. Chapters are divided into headers and subtitles. The first part of the book is an explanation of terms and definitions before approaching summary theory explanations.
As a shorter book with double-spacing, it is possible to read the entire book quickly. At the forefront of resolving the Los Angles Smog Issue most conclusions were disproven. Offering historical information about smog the developing context reveals a link to the eventual solution to reduce smog in Los Angeles.
Occasionally it is difficult following thought processes. There is a section mentioning ozone. It makes ozone sound like the worst type of natural occurring air pollutant known to mankind and then goes on to explain government protects ozone. Without a full explanation I wonder Blewett believes the problem is allowing ozone to be too close to the ground or if the author lacks of knowledge of how the ozone diffuses sunlight and deteriorate meteor strikes, which is the common understanding of ozone now.
Overall information is comprehensive and assists in identifying the cause of smog in certain regions along coastlines. A person might want to have an up-to-date perspective on air pollution before reading this book, because while facts in the primary sections remain true, by current standards, theories are largely misleading conjecture.
Everyone should read this book. Issues such as air pollution impact everyone. Everyone should have comprehensive knowledge of pollutions impact on living organisms. These types of books are usually clinical and unreadable. While information is overly scientific "What's in the Air" provides a basic understanding in functional terms to explain air pollution.
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