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Air Pollution
Air is an essential component for the survival of all living creatures. When harmful substances are introduced into the atmosphere they affect human beings, other living organisms, the climate, and materials on the surface of the earth. The atmosphere is majorly comprised of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and noble gases which support life (Ghorani-Azam et al., 2016). Air pollution arises when there are high levels of solids, liquids, and gases, produced in higher than usual concentrations, in the atmosphere that have a negative effect on life and the environment. The following paper will address air pollution, its causes, major pollutants, adverse effects of indoor pollutants and air pollution, and control of air pollution. Human activities are implicated in air pollution that negatively lowers the quality of the environment and results in the development of diseases.
Causes of Air Pollution
Pollutants may either be introduced into the atmosphere (primary) or formed within the atmosphere itself (secondary). On the other hand, primary air pollution arises from human activities in transportation, industrial processes, and fuel combustion while secondary air pollution comes from the ozone itself. Babadjouni et al. (2017), stipulate that automobiles, including cars, trains, and airplanes, are responsible for the greatest contribution to air pollution due to the increase in production and usage of automobiles all around the globe. These automobiles use fuel that undergoes combustion to emit lead, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Industries contribute to air pollution when waste gases are released into the air. Pollution also arises from domestic uses such as heat sources which produce smoke, dust, Sulphur, and nitrogen oxides (Babadjouni et al., 2017). Cigarette smoking is also another cause of air pollution through the release of toxic pollutants and cigarette butts littered after smoking. Tobacco smoke is considered the number one risk factor for the development of lung cancer (Zhou, 2019). Pollen from plants is implicated in air pollution as it reduces the quality of air and aggravates respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Major Air Pollutants and Their Effects
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that is produced from combustion. The gas causes harm to the body by causing reduced oxygen delivery to organs. Carbon monoxide competes with oxygen to irreversibly bind to hemoglobin which can lead to death in a severe form of its inhalations (Baralis et al., 2016). There have been reports of many poisoning due to the gas.
Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is emitted through the combustion of Sulphur containing products which are released into the air and mixed with water to form sulphuric acid. To a study by Glencross et al. (2020), Sulphur dioxide enters the lungs causing irritation and in turn leading to the development of inflammatory lung diseases such as bronchitis and asthma. It can also cause irritation of the eyes and subsequent eye conditions and blurred vision.
Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has a greater impact on health than is caused by the oxidation of nitrogen oxide. NO2 has an odor and is highly corrosive and acid which negatively affects health and the environment (Wang et al., 2021). The greatest source of this gas is from the power plants and from indoor gas stoves. Exposure to NO2 damages the respiratory tract through inflammation to causes chronic lung diseases such as asthma.
Particulate Matter
Particulate matter is a mixture of both organic and inorganic matter suspended air that may form particles of various sizes. The complex mixture includes aerosols, combustion particles, dust, dirt, soot, and metal vapors (Wang et al., 2021). Particulate matter contains microscopic elements which can be inhaled into the respiratory system and bloodstream to cause adverse health outcomes.
Ground Level Ozone
Pollution occurs when the pollutants such as nitrogen oxide are exposed to sunlight. High amounts of these gases cause respiratory health problems in human beings. The mixture of all components of pollution and fog is called smog. According to Ghorani-Azam et al. (2016), smog is responsible for causing low visibility, decreasing ultraviolet radiation, and the development asthma related complications, COPD, heart diseases, stroke, and lung cancer. Smog has negative effects on plants and vegetation on the earths surface and even worse, it is one of the causes of global warming.
Adverse Effects of Indoor Pollutants
Indoor air pollution occurs from gas stoves, smoky cooking fuels, mosquito coils, aerosols with volatile substances, smoking, and pesticides. The effect of the pollution causes irritation to the eyes and other mucous membranes, especially in the respiratory tract, leading to inflammatory respiratory diseases (Glencross et al., 2020; Hamanaka & Mutlu, 2018). Other people may cough and develop chest tightness, bronchitis, pneumonia, and experience exacerbation of asthmatic symptoms. Prolonged exposure to indoor pollutants results in the development of chronic respiratory diseases which may decrease lung growth and impair lung function.
Adverse Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution
Outdoor air pollution commonly arises from combustion processes, smoke from outdoor fires, and pollutants such as ozone. It has been reported to cause about four million annual deaths worldwide (Ghorani-Azam et al., 2016). Respiratory complications after inflammation of the airways result in high mortality rates. Heavy metal poisoning causes delayed development of nervous systems in children due to the toxicities (Babadjouni et al., 2017). Air pollution also causes social and economic problems due to the destruction of plants and animal life. Pollution also causes corrosion of metals and buildings, reducing their value and aesthetics.
Control of Air Pollution
In attempts to reduce air pollution, the sources of air pollution should be eliminated. The simplest control of air pollution at home is the use of clean fuels in cooking and increasing ventilation in homes. Mass education plays an important role in creating awareness among all members of the public about air pollution, its adverse effects, and its control (Baralis et al., 2016). Appropriate policies to reduce air pollution should be put in place to regulate pollution levels from industries, transport sectors, and municipal waste management. Alternatives such as electricity and natural gases could have a significant impact on reducing pollution.
References
Babadjouni, R. M., Hodis, D. M., Radwanski, R., Durazo, R., Patel, A., Liu, Q., & Mack, W. J. (2017). Clinical effects of air pollution on the central nervous system: A review. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 43, 16-24. Web.
Baralis, E., Cerquitelli, T., Chiusano, S., Garza, P., & Kavoosifar, M. R. (2016). Analyzing air pollution on the urban environment. In 2016 39th International Convention on Information and Communication Technology, Electronics and Microelectronics (MIPRO) (pp. 1464-1469). IEEE.
Ghorani-Azam, A., Riahi-Zanjani, B., & Balali-Mood, M. (2016). Effects of air pollution on human health and practical measures for prevention in Iran. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 21, 65. Web.
Glencross, D. A., Ho, T. R., Camina, N., Hawrylowicz, C. M., & Pfeffer, P. E. (2020). Air pollution and its effects on the immune system. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 151, 56-68. Web.
Hamanaka, R. B., & Mutlu, G. M. (2018). Particulate matter air pollution: Effects on the cardiovascular system. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9, 680. Web.
Wang, J., Zhang, Y., Li, B., Zhao, Z., Huang, C., Zhang, X., Deng, Q., Lu, C., Qian, H., Yang, X., Sun, Y., Sundell, J., & Norbäck, D. (2021). Asthma and allergic rhinitis among young parents in China in relation to outdoor air pollution, climate and home environment. Science of the Total Environment, 751, 141734. Web.
Zhou G. (2019). Tobacco, air pollution, environmental carcinogenesis, and thoughts on conquering strategies of lung cancer. Cancer Biology & Medicine, 16(4), 700713. Web.
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