Low Level Air Pollution – Harm Health : Air pollution is made up of both gaseous and particulate matter. Each year almost two million people die as a direct result of the air pollution with many more experiencing impaired lung function, developing lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, research, on the effects of low level air pollution, is often an overlooked.

Air pollution is the world’s largest killer & responsible for thousands of people deaths worldwide every year. CO2, SO2, NO2, O3, particulate matter, and PM 2.5 is the major contributors of indoor air pollutions. It is the result of combustion from space heating, industrial and vehicular emission, which causes and exacerbates several diseases such as asthma cancer, pulmonary illnesses. Not only these, but there are also different effects of air pollution on human health.

Low Level Air Pollution – Harm Health Impacts

•   Irritation of eyes, nose, and throat
•   Wheezing, coughing and problem in breathing
•   Worsening of lungs & heart problems
•   Increased risk of heart attack.

Health Effects from Specific Pollutants

Researchers assessed in three components of the air pollution – fine particulate matter, NO2, O3. Each a unit of increase in levels those pollutants was associated with thousands of hospital admissions a year, the study found.

The researchers say that people living alongside major traffic corridors needs to be an aware of the potential adverse effects on their respiratory health.

Air pollution can be harm the heart and lungs by triggering inflammation in the heart and throughout the body, the researchers said.

In terms of specific pollutants, higher risks of heart attack, stroke, and flutter, as well as pneumonia were associated with a long-term exposure to particulate matter.

Long-term exposure to NO2 was associated with an increased risk of stroke

At the age of eight, study participants are undergoing lung function tests. In addition, children who experienced the greater improvements in air quality after the first year of life, either due to a move or changes in local pollution, had better lung function compared to those who air quality did not improve as much.

Researchers are analyzed medical records of more than 63 million Medicare patients from 2000 to 2016. They found that the long-term exposure to low levels of air pollution could increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the irregular heart rhythm.

The Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health

In terms of specific pollutants, higher risks of heart attack, stroke, a-fib and flutter, as well as pneumonia were associated with long-term exposure to particulate matter.

Smoke from factory wastes and other visible & invisible substances produced by humans and incorporated into the atmosphere system causes the air pollution, leading to global warming Effect.

CO2 is one of the most harmful environmental pollutants in the air. In addition of methane from swamps and livestock, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) previously used in refrigeration and the propellant fuels, their use has been banned due to their destructive impact on the ozone layer Effect.

These gases and compounds can be cause significant changes in the climate, increase the rate of smog such as infections of the upper respiratory tract, allergies.

Studies shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air that contains high levels of pollutants permanently.

Air pollution leads to the deaths about to 7 million people worldwide every year.  It contributes into stroke and causes 1.4 million deaths each in year from strokes.

Air pollution is not only harms human health but also causes environmental effects. It can be directly contaminating the surface of water bodies, soil and even kill crops or reduce their yield.

Potential Health Effects

The potential health effects of air pollution range from subtle physiological changes inside the body to florid symptoms such as nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. People suffering from asthma or chronic respiratory diseases will experience an increase in symptoms when exposed to air pollutants. Although individual’s reaction to air pollutant depends on various factors, people of all age groups are affected by poor air quality. Vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly are especially susceptible to the effects of air pollution.https://youtu.be/d9K6JqFBrvA