Air pollution effects on health & what precautions can we take

Air pollution means, the release of pollutants into the air which are harmful to human health and environment. This can be both man-made and natural. The primary sources of human- made air pollution include, vehicle emissions, fuel oils, by- products of manufacturing and power generation. Natural hazardous substances are released into the air like smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions and gases like methane. 

Air pollution, a bane

Air pollution is stressed high due to the complications listed below,

Traffic- Related Air Pollution (TRAP)- It is the most recognizable form of air pollution, caused from motor vehicle emissions.

Ozone- Smog contains most of the elements of man- made air pollution like ground- level ozone, various form of carbon, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fine particulate matter.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)- they are organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. Many industrial processes, like iron, steel and rubber product manufacturing as well as power generation, produces PAHs.

Air pollution effect on human health

In this article, 3MEDS, the best online pharmacy store in India, explains the ill effects of air pollution on the human health.

Respiratory disease

Air pollution will affect,

·         Lung development

·         Development of emphysema

·         Asthma

·         Other respiratory like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

·         Chronic bronchitis

Cardiovascular disease

Air pollutants will lead to following complications,

·         Impair blood vessel function

·         Calcification in arteries will speed up

·         Increased risk of hemorrhagic strokes

·         Lowered levels of high density lipoprotein

·         Hypertensive disorders, increases a pregnant woman’s risk for dangerous changes in blood pressure

Cancer

Many research studies have proven the effect of air pollutant on cancer like,

·         Increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer

·         Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

·         Lung cancer

Air pollution effects on health may vary depending on several factors like age, geographic living and more.

Women and infants

·         Prenatal exposure to PAHS may lead to brain development effects, slower processing speed, attention- deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and other neurobehavioral problems

·         ADHD- related behavior problems are prominent in children with prenatal exposure to air pollution

·         Prenatal exposure to particulate matter is associated to low birth weight

·         High blood pressure in early life

·         Pregnant women exposed to harmful gases like carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide will have a baby with neural tube defects and lower IQ level

Children

High pollution level can affect children in many ways like,

·         Increase short- term respiratory infections

·         Children at high ozone communities and living near busy roads, are likely to develop asthma

·         Develop bronchitis symptoms

·         Lung damage

Older adults

·         Long- term exposure to TRAP may hasten physical disabilities

·         Air pollution can also be associated with accelerated memory problems and brain declines like Alzheimer’s.

Rural region

·         Several studies indicate that air pollutants can increase asthma symptoms like limitation of activities, more wheezing and more night time walking

·         Acute lung function problems are also observed in rural children with asthma

Genes

·         Specific gene variants play a role in respiratory health which can induce lung inflammation, when exposed to air pollutants.

Preventive methods for healthy living from air pollution

1.      Air quality verification

Make a habit of verifying the air quality index of the area you live in or planning to visit. Consult the Air Quality Index page of your country, to know about the air quality of the area.

2.      Medication ready

If you are a victim of heart or respiratory problems, then it is advisable to carry the respective medications along all the time and everywhere you travel. Consult the doctor on maintaining or controlling the symptoms of air pollution infection. Avail your necessary medications through

3.      Avoid air polluted regions

Limit physical activity and reduce intensity when in a pollutes are like busy and traffic roads, industrialized areas and neighbourhood that operates wood stoves or fireplaces which emit pollutants into the air.

4.      Cease outdoor air pollution

As responsible citizens of the earth, some steps can be taken in reducing outdoor air pollution like,

·         Use public transport

·         When air quality is good, opt to walk or bike

·         Carpool

·         Avoid using wood stoves or fireplaces

5.      Maintain indoor air quality

Control the air quality inside the homes, to avoid harmful effects of it on health. Try to follow necessary steps like,

·         Avoid tobacco smoke or smoke from fireplace and wood stoves

·         Fix water infiltration problems

·         Choose healthy and environment friendly household products

·         Don’t use wood burning appliances

·         Install a carbon monoxide detector

·         Avoid using fuel consuming appliances like gasoline or propane

Ending note

Air pollution is a serious condition that has to be addressed in point of view of both environment and human health. Though air population is caused by both nature and man- made, in reality, human contribution is high in damaging the air quality.