Nature & Environment
‘Chemtrails Conspiracy Theory’ Is Not True, A New Study Finds
Megha Kedia
First Posted: Aug 15, 2016 04:43 AM EDT
It seems the long believed controversial "chemtrails conspiracy theory" doesn't hold good as a team of top atmospheric chemists has debunked it completely.
According to the "chemtrails conspiracy theory," the high-flying aircrafts leave behind long-lasting trails, so-called "chemtrails" in the sky which are harmful chemical substances. It is believed that the government deliberately sprays toxic chemicals for sinister purposes as part of its secret large-scale spraying program. In fact, according to a 2011 international survey, around 17 percent of people believed in secret, large-scale spraying programs, reported ScienceAlert.
To find out the truth behind the alleged "chemtrails conspiracy theory," a team of researchers from the University of California, Irvine, the Carnegie Institution for Science and the nonprofit Near Zero organization surveyed 77 of the world's leading atmospheric chemists and geochemists. Out of 77, 76 respondents said they hadn't come across any such evidence of a large-scale spraying program. They referred to the trails left behind by aircraft as condensation trails, or "contrails."
Steven Davis, UCI associate professor of Earth system science and co-author of the study, said, the research team wanted to establish a scientific record on the topic of secret atmospheric spraying programs for the benefit of those in the public who haven't made up their minds. He added that the recent survey found little agreement in the scientific community with claims that the government, the military, airlines and others have colluded to poison the planet from the skies.
The research team said while it's difficult to change each and every person's opinion who already believes in "chemtrails conspiracy theory," they hope that the study, which has been published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, won't be the last word on this issue.
"We don't imagine that we're going to sway the beliefs of hardcore adherents to the chemtrails conspiracy theory with this study," said Davis, reported Mashable. "But we thought it was important to go on the record with fundamental scientific facts to refute claims that the government is deliberately spreading harmful chemicals from aircraft."
What do you think about "chemtrails conspiracy theory"? Let us know in the comments below.
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First Posted: Aug 15, 2016 04:43 AM EDT
It seems the long believed controversial "chemtrails conspiracy theory" doesn't hold good as a team of top atmospheric chemists has debunked it completely.
According to the "chemtrails conspiracy theory," the high-flying aircrafts leave behind long-lasting trails, so-called "chemtrails" in the sky which are harmful chemical substances. It is believed that the government deliberately sprays toxic chemicals for sinister purposes as part of its secret large-scale spraying program. In fact, according to a 2011 international survey, around 17 percent of people believed in secret, large-scale spraying programs, reported ScienceAlert.
To find out the truth behind the alleged "chemtrails conspiracy theory," a team of researchers from the University of California, Irvine, the Carnegie Institution for Science and the nonprofit Near Zero organization surveyed 77 of the world's leading atmospheric chemists and geochemists. Out of 77, 76 respondents said they hadn't come across any such evidence of a large-scale spraying program. They referred to the trails left behind by aircraft as condensation trails, or "contrails."
Steven Davis, UCI associate professor of Earth system science and co-author of the study, said, the research team wanted to establish a scientific record on the topic of secret atmospheric spraying programs for the benefit of those in the public who haven't made up their minds. He added that the recent survey found little agreement in the scientific community with claims that the government, the military, airlines and others have colluded to poison the planet from the skies.
The research team said while it's difficult to change each and every person's opinion who already believes in "chemtrails conspiracy theory," they hope that the study, which has been published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, won't be the last word on this issue.
"We don't imagine that we're going to sway the beliefs of hardcore adherents to the chemtrails conspiracy theory with this study," said Davis, reported Mashable. "But we thought it was important to go on the record with fundamental scientific facts to refute claims that the government is deliberately spreading harmful chemicals from aircraft."
What do you think about "chemtrails conspiracy theory"? Let us know in the comments below.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone