Air Pollution

 

Short Note on Air Pollution:

Roughly 7 million people worldwide die each year from air pollution. The World Health Organization defines air pollution as “contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies natural characteristics of the atmosphere.” Air pollution is linked to respiratory, and other diseases and it can be the cause of morbidity and mortality. Pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide have the strongest evidence for public health concerns. Though a high majority of the world’s population breathes polluted air those in low- and middle-income countries have the highest exposure.

Performing household activities such as cooking, space heating, and other activities can be the source of particulate matter pollution that can be found in your home. Poor vent circulation, inefficient stoves, heating water for baths, and brewing beverages can also be the cause of particulate matter pollution that happens inside your homes without your knowledge. According to WHO particulate matter refers to “inhalable particles, composed of sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust or water.” Particulate matter can also be found outside in the air that you breathe every day. It can be made from particles such as smoke, soot, dirt, and dust and can come from woods stoves, fires, motor vehicles, and factories. Particulate matter can “penetrate deep into your lungs passageways and enter your bloodstream causing serious cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory impacts.” A few ways to limit your exposure to particulate matter is to be aware of the air quality in and outside of your home, by visiting AirNow.gov you can stay updated on the air quality in your city. Limiting your exposure to smoke, such as candles and firewood, keeping a clean room, dusting, and using an air purifier are some ways you can limit particulate matter exposure inside your home.

When carbon monoxide diffuses across the alveolar membrane, the area in your body where oxygen enters the bloodstream and carbon dioxide exits the bloodstream, it binds to the hemoglobin in your blood causing the amount of oxyhemoglobin in your blood to decrease. The decrease in oxyhemoglobin in your blood results in tissue hypoxia, a condition in which your body does not get an adequate amount of oxygen. Tissue hypoxia can affect your whole body or even just a section of your body. WHO defines carbon monoxide (CO) as a “colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fuels such as wood, petrol, coal, natural gas and kerosene in simple stoves, open fires, and wick lamps.” CO can be produced by burning fuel such as motor vehicles, fireplaces, and furnaces. CO is odorless and is not visible making it hard for people to know when they are being exposed to it. The CDC states that more than 400 American die each year from unintentional CO poisoning. Symptoms of CO poisoning can be described as “flu-like” with the most common symptoms being headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, and chest pain. Taking steps such as installing a CO detector in your home, making sure your gas appliances are properly ventilated, and getting your gas, oil, or coal-burning appliances serviced each year can help limit your exposure to CO.

The ozone is made up of three oxygen atoms that form into a highly reactive gas that occurs in the Earth’s upper and lower atmosphere. What we breathe every day is referred to as the tropospheric, the ground-level ozone, and is a major component of smog. The highest levels of ozone are found during the summer days when it is sunny out due to a photochemical reaction that occurs with pollutants such as Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). According to WHO NO2 is “soluble in water, reddish-brown in color, and a strong oxidant.” NO2 can come from sources such as vehicles and power generation. Long-term exposure to the ozone can cause problems with breathing, trigger asthma and reduce lung function. When you choose to walk, ride a bike, or carpool with a friend you can help lower high ozone levels. Even choosing to refuel your car when it’s colder out can help reduce the ozone level making the air, we breathe every day healthier.

In-Conclusion:

Stetho Health Systems wants to address the growing concern for air pollution and how individuals worldwide can help lower the number of deaths that happen each year due to it. By being cautious, limiting your exposure to particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and burning less fossil fuel we can globally decrease morbidity, mortality, disease, and infections that are linked to air pollution. Choosing to walk instead of drive, getting a CO detector, limiting your exposure to smoke, and burning fewer fossil fuels can help you decrease your exposure to air pollution. Stetho Health Systems wants to stress the importance of how making a change can positively affect your health and our planet making our planet a healthier place for future generations.