Health Effects
[2023-08-09 16:41:59]
Even healthy people may be affected by the health effects of contaminated air, including respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or during outdoor activities. The risk of actual side effects will depend on the current health condition, the type and concentration of pollutants, and the length of time exposed to contaminated air.
Patients with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
People in these groups may be affected by health if exposed to low levels of air pollution, or they may have a greater health impact.
When volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with the sun's ultraviolet rays, terrestrial ozone is generated. The main sources of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides are mobile sources such as automobiles, trucks, buses, construction machinery and agricultural equipment.
Ozone at the ground level reaches the highest level in the afternoon and evening. In the summer, the highest level is best seen. It is a strong stimulus to shrink the airway and make it act more vigorously to supply oxygen to the respiratory system.
The particulate matter is a complex mixture including soot, smoke, metal, nitrate, sulfate, dust, water, tire rubber and so on. It can be released directly like smoke from a flame or it can be formed in the atmosphere by reaction of gases such as nitrogen oxides.
Particle size is directly related to their potential for health problems. Small particles (called PM 2.5 or fine particle material) are the biggest problem as they bypass the body 's natural defense system and penetrate deep into the lungs and sneak into the bloodstream. Exposure to these particles can affect lungs and heart.
Air pollution can have long-term and short-term effects on health. The elderly and infants were found to be more affected by air pollution. Short-term health effects include eye, nose, throat irritation, headache, allergic reactions and upper respiratory tract infections. Some long-term health effects are lung cancer, brain injury, liver injury, kidney damage, heart disease and respiratory disease. Air pollution can damage crops, animals, forests, and waters. It also helps to destroy the ozone layer and protect the earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Another negative influence due to air pollution is the formation of acid rain. This can damage trees, earth, rivers, and wildlife. Other environmental impacts due to air pollution are haze, eutrophication, global climate change.
Air pollution affects the environment and health. Some of them are as follows. a) Precipitates containing harmful amounts of nitric acid and sulfuric acid can cause acid rain. As these acid rains rise, it will destroy the trees, acidify the solids and water, making the water inappropriate for fish and other wildlife. b) When chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and halons such as refrigerants, blowing agents, extinguishants, solvents, agrochemicals and aerosol propellants are released into the atmosphere, they destroy the ozone layer and thereby increase . Skin cancer, cataract and other ultraviolet rays. c) Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause pulmonary disease, cause inflammation of the heart, and prevent blood from absorbing oxygen. d) Increases in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane disturb the balance of nature and raise the temperature of the earth.
The ability of organic chemicals to affect health is quite different from substances that are highly toxic and have no known health effects. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of health effects will depend on many factors, including exposure level and exposure time. Eye and respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, visual impairment and memory impairment are direct symptoms experienced immediately after exposure to certain organisms. I do not know much about the health effects of organic matter levels commonly found at hom