Understanding Smog | Impact of Smog Across the US | The Solution | How Smog-Reducing Granules Work | The Impact

Today's homeowners are increasingly mindful of their environmental footprint, valuing both the aesthetic appeal of their homes and the importance of making choices which positively impact their communities and contribute to environmental sustainability. Atlas Roofing's smog-reducing technology by 3M is at the forefront of shingle innovation, offering roofing contractors an opportunity to meet this growing demand of their customers. By incorporating these advanced materials into your offerings, you empower homeowners with the choice to contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment, proving that the right roofing choice can make a significant difference.

Smog Decoded: Understanding the Invisible Threat

The term "smog" might conjure images of a simple mix of smoke and fog, but the reality is far more complex and harmful. Today's smog is the result of sunlight acting upon nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This interaction creates a ground-level ozone layer detrimental to our air quality. This isn't just an aesthetic issue; it's a health and environmental crisis that demands innovative solutions aligned with eco-friendly building materials and green construction practices.

The Widespread Challenge of Smog Across America

It's a startling fact: according to reports from the American Lung Association, nearly 36% of Americans, 119.6 million people, reside in areas plagued by failing air quality grades. This challenge isn't confined to densely populated urban centers; smog impacts communities nationwide, emphasizing the need for a unified effort towards improving our air quality.

2024 us air quality charts

Data: First Street Foundation; Note: Maximum count of days with unhealthy air quality from anywhere within each county; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

A Revolutionary Solution: 3M™ Smog-Reducing Granules

At the heart of community efforts to combat this issue, Atlas has partnered with 3M™ to offer a groundbreaking solution: Smog-Reducing Granules. These ceramic-coated granules are designed to integrate into asphalt shingles, transforming them into a powerful tool against smog.

How It Works: Harnessing Sunlight

3M™ granules ingeniously use the same smog-causing sunlight to convert NOx gasses into substances beneficial for plants, effectively turning roofs into large-scale air purifiers.

  1. Sunlight energizes the surface of the photocatalytic coating on the granule
  2. The photocatalytic coating releases energy above the granule
  3. The energy released breaks apart water molecules in the air
  4. The broken water molecules attach to carbon gases (NO and NO2)
  5. The gases are converted to NO3 (non-harmful) and fall back on the surface of the roof as plant usable salts
  6. When water runs off the roof as a nitrate, it acts as a fertilizer for the plants and grass at the base of the home

Today, contractors can find this technology in Pinnacle® Sun, Pinnacle® Impact and StormMaster® Shake designer roof shingles, available in a wide variety of contemporary colors that homeowners will love.

The Impact: Paving the Way for Healthier Communities

By incorporating 3M™ Smog-Reducing Granules into Atlas' asphalt designer shingles, contractors aren't just installing roofs; they're laying the ground works for a cleaner future. Let's work together to clear the air, one roof at a time, by adopting and promoting smog-reducing roofing solutions.