There are so many pollutants available in atmosphere. The below points will explain the causes how air pollution affects your health. The pollutants including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter from road traffic and sulphur dioxide, from the burning of fossil fuels affect lung growth in children, asthma, heart disease and the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- Breathing polluted air puts you at a higher risk for asthma and other respiratory diseases.
- When exposed to ground ozone for 6 to 7 hours, scientific evidence show that healthy people’s lung function decreased and they suffered from respiratory inflammation.
- Air pollutants are mostly carcinogens and living in a polluted area can put people at risk of Cancer.
- Coughing and wheezing are common symptoms observed on city folks.
- Damages the immune system, endocrine and reproductive systems.
- High levels of particle pollution have been associated with higher incidents of heart problems.
- The burning of fossil fuels and the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are causing the Earth to become warmer. Read about the effects of Global Warming here.
- The toxic chemicals released into the air settle into plants and water sources. Animals eat the contaminated plants and drink the water. The poison then travels up the food chain – to us.
The main pollutants of air pollution that affects you health:
(i). Sulphur dioxide: From the burning of fossil fuels, mostly power stations.
(ii) Nitrogen dioxide: Highest levels found close to road traffic or indoor gas cookers.
(iii) Ozone (ground-level) : Caused by chemical reactions between natural, traffic and industrial pollution in strong sunlight.
(iv) Particulate matter (PM): Solid particles or liquid droplets in the air, primarily from road traffic. When smaller than 2.5 micrometers (that’s 60 times thinner than a human hair), they are known as PM2.5.
(v) Metals : Less of a problem in some countries due to controls on emissions. Iron and steel sectors dominate lead emissions, while disposal of treated wood by burning is source of arsenic.