The effects of particulate matter on health occur at levels of exposure currently being experienced by many people both in urban and rural areas and in developed and developing countries. Outdoor air pollution, mostly associated with particulates ranked sixth in importance among all health risks in South Asia where it contributed to 712,000 deaths in 2010. The size of particles is important as it determines the extent of penetration of particles into the respiratory system. Recent studies have identified fine particles called PM2.5 (particles with a mean aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller) as being especially harmful because they may reach and persist in the alveolar region of the lungs . Fine particles are more dangerous than coarse particles. Apart from the size of the particles, other specific physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that can influence harmful health effects include the presence of metals, PAHs, other organic components, or certain toxins. When particulate matter is combined with other air pollutants, the individual effects of each pollutant is accumulated. In certain cases, especially for combinations of particulate matter with ozone or allergens, effects were shown to be even greater than the sum of the individual effects. When particulate matter interacts with gases, this interaction changes its composition and, therefore, its effects. As PM2.5 can penetrate into the alveolar regions of the lungs these particles may cause
Not to mention that children and teenagers are also more likely to spend more time outdoors during the evening when the particulate levels are the highest because of activities such as sports. The elderly are the second group to be placed in a more at risk status because they are already more susceptible to developing diseases in the heart or lungs. Breathing in the hazardous air can increase those
The Bronx is an incredibly urban and populated area attracting traffic from all over. It is home to waste sites, distribution centers, power plants, and so much more. Though each building gives off a different type of waste, whether it be smog from smokestacks or diesel exhaust from trucks, each of these large sites that exist throughout this small area give off a fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. This matter is essentially what contributes to the difficulty breathing people experience as these tiny particles can become lodged in a person’s lungs over time. Studies have consistently found a strong correlation between PM2.5 and conditions like asthma, lung disease, and heart disease.
Acute, high-level inhalation exposure in humans, can result in irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, kidney dysfunction, and neurological effects such as reversible mood and behavioral changes, impairment of coordination, dizziness, headache, sleepiness, and unconsciousness. The primary effects from long term inhalation exposure at lower levels, are neurological effects, including sensory symptoms such as headaches, impairments in cognitive and motor neurobehavioral functioning and color vision
Childhood, in particular, is a difficult time when it comes to exposure to polluted air as this irritates the lungs causing
In another effort to improve human life New Delhi, India suffers from a similar problem in present day called smog. Cars,power plants and everyday life has put them into a situation where they are forced to wear masks and put air purifiers Into their own homes. The level of air pollution is pm 2.5 in which
It is possible for the negative impacts of air pollution to spread throughout the entire body, damaging a variety of organs and body parts, while diminishing the body’s ability to effectively function. The fine pollutant particulates, through entry into the lungs, can gain access to portions of the cardiovascular system, causing harm to the heart and blood
PM2.5 particles are emitted from carbon fueled vehicles, non renewable energy power plants and construction sites. Several neighborhoods in New York City have many varying rates of asthma and PM2.5 levels, such as Mott Haven, Central Harlem and Midtown East. Mott Haven, the northernmost neighborhood
COPD has been a high important cause of “morbidity, mortality and health care cost world wide” (Mannino&Buist,2007) and expected to rank within the top 5 in 2020 for being a “burden of disease” a study of which the “World health Organisation” had issued (Rabe et al, 2007). It is important to note that one of the biggest risk factor of COPD is “cigarette smoking” (Mannino&Buist, 2007). Further risk factors include environmental pollution, dangerous chemicals at work, old age, the genetic structure, and especially infectious diseases (Mannino&Buist, 2007). In countries where the income are higher the consumption of tobacco is also high about “73%” whereas in comparison to countries in “middle and lower income” there is only “40%” mortality
Senior citizens and young infants are at risk of having breathing problems due to the unclean air. Our society is putting ourselves at risk by doing simple tasks that emit smog and smoke into our ecosystem. According to the World Health Organization, “The health burden of polluting energy sources is now so high, that moving to cleaner and more sustainable choices for energy supply, transport and food systems effectively pays for itself,” (Neira 1). This quote explains that our lungs are at serious risk when it comes to breathing in polluted air. FAQ air pollution Frequently Asked Questions, emphasizes, “Air pollution is caused by both human and natural sources.
Contaminated air in the U.S. threatens Americans’ lives. Over several decades, our air has improved. However, the air is still harmful to everyone. Pollution from factories that use coal are a major cause of air pollution. One of the most dangerous issues with air pollution is dust and soot.
The effects on people’s health is that air pollution can cause stroke, heart diseases, lung cancer or asthma. A mother of two boys said “On poor air quality days when my family has to breathe particles and ozone smog, my kids’ asthma gets worse. They cough and even have asthma attacks.” This proves that the air in China is so
Air pollution causes 65% of the deaths in Asia, 25% deaths in India, and 527,000 deaths a year globally. Air Pollution causes people with Heart Diseases or Lung Diseases to be at higher risk for Asthma attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrest. In addition, Air Pollution in Beijing has causes a new disease called the “Beijing Cough,” in which affects over 500,000 people every year. Air Pollution is the world's largest single environmental health risk and accounts for every 1 out of 8 deaths involved with environmental health risks, and it is even listed in the “World’s Top 10 Killers” chart. Air Pollution causes millions of deaths to innocent people every year together we need to reduce
1. Introduction Air pollutin is a public health concern and it has been since the discovery of fire. Incidents and episodes of air pollution have been recorded throughout the history. Air pollution is divided into two, it is the indoor air pollution and the outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution is produced in households or at offices by pollutants such as tobacco smoke, household products or pesticides.
Exchange of Air The amount and movement of air and expired gases in and out of the lungs are controlled by expansion and recoil of the lungs. The lungs do not actively expand and recoil themselves. Rather they are acted upon to do so in two ways by downward and upward movement of the diaphragm to lengthen and shorten the chest cavity and (2) by elevation and depression of the ribs to increase and decrease the back to front diameter of the chest cavity (figure given below) Normal quiet breathing is accomplished almost entirely by movement of the diaphragm . During inspiration, contraction of the diaphragm creates a negative pressure (vacuum) in the chest cavity and air is drawn into the lungs. During expiration
Particulate matter is a complex combination of fine solid particles and liquid droplets comprising various types of dust, smoke, and soot, gaseous and biological contaminants that are suspended in air. The size of these particles ranges from few nanometers to around 100 micrometers. Mainly, coarser particulate matter PM10 with diameter less than equal to10 micrometers and fine particulate matter PM2.5 with diameters less than equal to 2.5 micrometers are significant. Particulate matter in air comes from both natural sources such as wildfires and dust storms and anthropogenic sources like power and industrial plants, fossil fuel burning, combustion of wood and other biomass fuels and automobiles. In Urban areas, vehicular traffic is one of the major sources of particulate matter pollution.