Global air pollution has shifted from North America and Europe to East Asia, where industrial emissions are now concentrated. Satellite data shows major regions affected by haze from industry in Eastern China and biomass burning in Southeast Asia, India, Africa, and South America. Large dust and smoke events can transport pollutants across continents, such as the 1998 Asian dust storm that traveled from China to North America in 6 days and increased particulate levels. Global aerosols are now dominated by smoke and dust rather than industrial sulfates as was previously thought.

1. Global Distribution and Transport of Air Pollution Presented at The Haagen-Smit Symposium: From Los Angeles to Global Air Pollution Lake Arrowhead, April 9-12, 2001 Rudolf Husar CAPITA, Washington University , St. Louis

8. The Asian Dust Event of April 1998 On April 19, 1998 a major dust storm occurred over the Gobi Desert The dust cloud was seen through SeaWiFS, TOMS, GMS, AVHRR satellites The dust transport was followed on-line by an an ad-hoc international group China Mongolia Korea

9. SeaWiFS/TOMS data for April 21 shows dust transport to the Pacific Japan

10. Trans-Pacific Dust Transport The dust cloud traversed the Pacific in 6 days at about 4 km altitude As the dust approached N. America, it subsided to the ground

11. Asian Dust Cloud over N. America On April 27, the dust cloud rolled into North America. The regional average PM10 increased to 65  g/m 3 In Washington State, PM10 exceeded 100  g/m 3 Reg. Avg. PM10 100  g/m 3 Hourly PM10

12. Fine Particle Dust Concentrations (IMPROVE) April 25, 1998 April 29, 1998 May 2, 1998 On April 25, the western U.S. was virtually dust-free. Highest concentration was an April 29. On May 2, the high levels moved (?) to the Colorado Plateau.