Kiera Jefferson
The Smog Tasting project, co-founded by Zack Denfeld and Cathrine Kramer of the Centre for Genomic Gastronomy, uses egg whites to harvest, taste, and compare air pollution from different locations worldwide. The project involves creating smog meringues that capture the flavours of the world. The recipe for these meringues is simple: three egg whites per site, whipped with three-quarters of a cup of sugar, then baked for 90 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Martha Stevenson, a senior director at WWF-U.S., described the taste of Mumbai's meringues as metallic with a sharpness around your teeth. The project aims to raise awareness about environmental degradation and its impact on human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Metallic, sharp, gritty, burnt coal, gasoline, chemicals |
| Source of pollution | Low-quality diesel, high number of motor vehicles |
| Location | New Delhi, India |
| Project | Smog Tasting Project |
| Founders | Zack Denfeld, Cathrine Kramer |
| Organisation | Centre for Genomic Gastronomy |
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What You'll Learn
- Smog meringues: an edible way to taste air pollution
- Air pollution in New Delhi: a toxic mix of burnt coal and gasoline
- The impact of pollution on taste and smell perception
- The Smog Tasting project: using egg foams to sample air pollution
- Air pollution in Poland: a result of poor policy and urban planning
Smog meringues: an edible way to taste air pollution
Air pollution is a serious issue that affects cities worldwide. While we typically think of pollution as something that can be seen or smelled, it also has a taste. This taste can vary depending on the specific pollutants present in the air.
In an innovative approach to raising awareness about air pollution, the Centre for Genomic Gastronomy introduced the concept of "smog meringues." This project, known as the Smog Tasting project, utilizes egg whites to harvest, taste, and compare air pollution from different locations. The idea originated in Bengaluru, India, where students whipped smog into egg whites at intersections and smog hotspots.
The Smog Tasting project has expanded to include various methods for sensing, analyzing, and evaluating the unique atmospheric taste of different places, termed "aeroir." This includes guided smog tasting and smelling experiences, smog meditations, and a smog synthesizer that generates the smell and flavor of air pollution.
The meringues created from this process have been described as having a pungent or piquant element. For example, the smog meringues from Mekhri Circle, a busy city junction, had a more pronounced polluted taste than those from Yelahanka, a leafy suburb. Similarly, Martha Stevenson, who tasted meringues from various cities, noted that Mumbai's meringue tasted the most polluted, with a metallic sharpness.
While the idea of tasting air pollution through smog meringues may seem unappealing or even dangerous to some, it provides a unique perspective on the issue. By translating the intangibility of air pollution into something tangible and sensory, people can gain a deeper understanding of environmental degradation in their cities and its impact on their daily lives.
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Air pollution in New Delhi: a toxic mix of burnt coal and gasoline
New Delhi, India's capital city, has been dubbed the ""most polluted capital in the world" for three consecutive years. The air pollution in New Delhi is a toxic mix of burnt coal and gasoline, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) that often exceeds hazardous levels.
The city's air pollution is driven by various factors, including biomass burning practices, stubble burning, and the increased heating requirements during winters. The Badarpur Thermal Power Station, a coal-fired power plant, was a significant contributor to air pollution until its permanent shutdown in 2018. During the crop-burning season, this practice can account for up to 45% of Delhi's pollution. Additionally, road dust, vehicle emissions, domestic fuel burning, and industrial sources also play a role in the city's poor air quality.
The impact of air pollution in New Delhi is severe, with irreversible lung damage reported in 2.2 million children. The high levels of PM2.5 pollution, consisting of small particles from vehicles and industries, pose a particular health risk. The city's authorities have implemented measures such as shutting schools, halting construction, and banning non-essential trucks to mitigate the effects of hazardous air quality temporarily. However, critics argue for long-term solutions that address the root causes of pollution.
The toxic mix of burnt coal and gasoline in New Delhi's air pollution has led to a public health crisis, with residents complaining of headaches and coughing fits. The situation has sparked outrage and calls for action from the residents, who describe the city as "apocalyptic" and a "gas chamber." The Supreme Court of India has also expressed its sentiments, stating that "Delhi has become worse than narak (hell)."
Overall, the air pollution in New Delhi, a toxic blend of burnt coal and gasoline, poses a severe threat to the health and well-being of its residents, highlighting the urgent need for effective long-term solutions.
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The impact of pollution on taste and smell perception
Numerous irritant gases and environmental toxicants found in indoor and outdoor air pollution have been linked to olfactory dysfunction. This can have devastating consequences, particularly for those whose safety depends on these senses, such as warnings of leaking natural gas, airborne pollutants, or spoiled food. For example, an increased number of hazardous events, like burning pots, ingestion of spoiled food, or delayed detection of gas leaks, have been associated with olfactory dysfunction.
Air pollution can also cause acute and chronic alterations in taste perception. People living in polluted cities have reported a bitter taste or thick feeling in their mouths when exposed to heavy air pollution. The specific pollutants in the air can contribute to unique "tasting notes" for different cities. For instance, Los Angeles smog is said to have hints of bleach and cleaning products, while Beijing's air pollution is described as more sulfurous, resembling a "fart smell."
The Smog Tasting project, initiated by the Centre for Genomic Gastronomy in 2011, aims to explore the concept of "aeroir" or the atmospheric taste of a place. Through the use of smog meringues, which utilize egg whites to absorb pollutants, people can compare the taste of air pollution from various locations. While some may find the idea of tasting smog off-putting, these artistic endeavours help raise awareness about the environmental degradation and the impact of pollution on our senses.
The effects of pollution on taste and smell perception highlight the importance of addressing air quality issues. By recognizing the tangible impacts of pollution on our senses, we can better understand the urgency of implementing measures to reduce air pollution and protect both our health and the environment.
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The Smog Tasting project: using egg foams to sample air pollution
The Smog Tasting project by the Center for Genomic Gastronomy explores the taste of smog by whipping up egg foams in highly polluted cities, like Bangalore. The project is a combination of scientific study and conceptual art, created by Zackery Denfeld and Cathrine Kramer, with seven other students of the Center for Genomic Gastronomy.
Egg foams are 90% air, so whipping up egg whites allows you to capture the quality of the air in its taste. The structural properties of meringue batter are used to harvest air pollution, and the resulting meringues can be tasted to compare smog from different locations. The egg foams can also be tested for heavy metals and VOCs, compared under a microscope, or baked and served as Trojan horse sweets. The project maps air quality by harvesting air from highly polluted areas.
Smog is formed by a mixture of different pollutants reacting together, and it can be extremely damaging to human health when inhaled over extended periods. The Smog Tasting project makes the largely unconscious process of breathing a conscious act of eating, creating a visceral, thought-provoking interaction with the air all around us. It also draws attention to the fact that air pollution levels are often highest in non-white and low-income neighborhoods, highlighting an insidious form of environmental injustice.
People living in polluted cities have shared their experiences of the impact of poor air quality on their lives. One person from Warsaw, Poland, described how the intensive development of apartment buildings in suburban areas without proper public transportation has pushed people into cars and reduced green spaces, resulting in a net loss of 160,000 trees over the last decade. Another person from Los Angeles recalled how in the 1950s and 1960s, air pollution was so bad that it caused physical pain to take a deep breath. Many people have also reported experiencing skin problems, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and coughs due to air pollution.
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Air pollution in Poland: a result of poor policy and urban planning
Air pollution in Poland is a pressing issue that has garnered significant attention from various organisations and researchers. It is important to delve into the underlying factors contributing to this problem and explore potential solutions. In this regard, the role of policy decisions and urban planning practices cannot be overlooked.
One of the primary sources of air pollution in Poland is vehicle exhaust fumes. In the 1990s, Polish roads witnessed an influx of inexpensive yet highly polluting second-hand vehicles. This trend was exacerbated by insufficient governmental investments in public transport, which led to the closure of bus and train connections between cities. Instead, the focus was on constructing wider roads and providing subsidies for gasoline, making polluting vehicles the most accessible option for daily commutes. The absence of restrictions, such as Low Emission Zones, further aggravated the situation, exposing vulnerable populations to hazardous air quality.
Additionally, urban planning failures have played a part in Poland's air pollution crisis. The lack of well-designed public spaces and efficient transportation networks has likely contributed to a reliance on private vehicles. This has resulted in increased traffic congestion and, consequently, higher levels of vehicle emissions. Moreover, the combustion of solid fuels for residential heating and industrial use has also been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution in Poland, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
To address these issues, a combination of policy interventions and urban planning strategies is necessary. Firstly, implementing stricter emission standards and promoting the use of renewable energy sources can help reduce vehicle emissions. This includes incentivising the purchase of electric or hybrid vehicles and improving public transport infrastructure to encourage a shift away from private car ownership. Secondly, investing in thermos-modernisation of buildings can significantly reduce emissions from residential heating. Proper disposal of hazardous waste and the implementation of pollution control measures in industrial areas are also crucial.
Furthermore, enhancing energy efficiency and promoting emission-free transport are key aspects of tackling Poland's air quality crisis. This includes encouraging the use of clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and providing incentives for the development and adoption of electric vehicles. By addressing these issues through a combination of policy reforms and urban planning initiatives, Poland can significantly improve its air quality and ensure a healthier environment for its citizens.
While the taste of pollution is not something that can be easily described, artists and scientists have attempted to capture this experience through projects like the Smog Tasting project. By using egg whites or meringues to absorb pollutants, they create edible representations of air pollution from different locations. These meringues have been described as having a range of flavours, from pungent and gritty to metallic and sharp, reflecting the varying levels of pollution in different cities.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to say what pollution tastes like as it varies depending on the location. However, people have described the air pollution in New Delhi, India, as "gritty, with notes of burnt coal, laced with the metallic tang of gasoline and a sharp hint of chemicals".
The Smog Tasting project, started by the co-founders of the Centre for Genomic Gastronomy, uses egg whites to harvest, taste, and compare air pollution from different locations worldwide. The recipe for their "smog meringues" involves three egg whites whipped with three-quarters of a cup of sugar, then baked for 90 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
By making people more aware of the pollutants they are breathing in, the Smog Tasting project hopes to encourage people to think more carefully about what they are putting into their bodies.
