Effects of Air Pollution on your
health
[Feb. 28, 2006]
In the news, we hear about air
pollution and its effect on a global scale. With our growing population
becoming ever the more reliant on automobiles, chemicals, and other potentially
hazardous substances, air pollutants can cause major health problems to your
health. Some obvious causes of air pollution would be your car, but there are
many not so obvious products that you may use everyday that are potentially
damaging to your health.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Air pollution and global warming, as
most scientists agree, seem to go hand in hand. The main component of this is
the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Carbon Dioxide is a necessary gas for our
survival. They call it a greenhouse gas because it makes the Earth habitable by
blocking some of the sun's radiation from exiting the atmosphere. Without
carbon dioxide, the whole planet would be covered in ice. Just like anything
else in life, too much of a good thing can be a problem and that is what
scientists have been warning us for years. Carbon dioxide levels have now risen
to 31% of pre-industrial revolution days and the gas emitted from 100-200 years
ago may still be in our atmosphere today. A constant warming cycle can start
melting polar ice caps and cause flooding.
Ozone (O3)
Ozone is the primary ingredient in
smog and forms when hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides react with sunlight. Not
all ozone is bad, in fact, like carbon dioxide, it is quite beneficial in the
upper atmosphere as it keeps harmful ultra-violet light out, a major cause of
skin cancer. It becomes a problem when it hovers in the lower atmosphere where
it can enter the lungs. Ozone inhalation can produce coughing, choking, and
reduced lung capacity. It can also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as
asthma and compromise the body's ability to fight off respiratory infections.
Recovery from short-term exposure to ozone can occur, but longer exposure may
make recovery less certain. Although ozone is not directly related to anything
we may use, it does form when nitrous oxides and volatile organic compounds
react with sunlight.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Nitrogen oxides form when fuels are
burned at high temperatures. Your car and power plants that burn coal, oil, and
natural gas are the major producers. These pollutants can cause lung irritation
and inhibit the body's ability to fight off diseases such as influenza and
pneumonia. They also help to form ozone and particulate matter. Nitrogen
dioxide is decomposed by sunlight into nitrogen monoxide and atomic oxygen,
which in-turn combines immediately with oxygen to form ozone (03). The more
sunlight available, the faster the reaction goes. Therefore, during summer in
areas with high traffic, concentrations will increase.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
An odorless, colorless gas,
inhalation of carbon monoxide blocks the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Due
to its chemical structure, it can easily attach to hemoglobin, the oxygen
carrying pigment in red blood cells. With CO in our bodies, our organs are
essentially poisoned as oxygen fails to reach them. Higher levels of poisoning
result in dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting on
mild exertion.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Miniscule pieces of soot, pollen, and
metals are what give smog a cloudy color. The smaller the pieces of soot, the
more damaging they can be. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs
and eventually be absorbed into the bloodstream where they can remain for long
periods of time. Exposure to particulate matter can cause asthma attacks,
wheezing, and coughing. Research has also shown that exposure to low
concentrations of particulate matter can lead to premature death with the
elderly and people with pre-existing heart disease at greatest risk.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
A by-product of burning diesel gas,
sulfur dioxide can adversely affect young children and asthmatics. The sulfur
dioxide content in the air is directly proportional to the sulfur content in
the fuel. The gas is a colorless, toxic gas that gives off a characteristic bad
odor. The oxidation of sulfur dioxide turns into sulfur trioxide, which is a
starting point for sulfuric acid, the major component of acid rain.
Hazardous Air Pollutants
Also known as toxic air pollutants or
air toxics are pollutants that can cause cancer and other serious health
effects such as birth defects. An example of an air pollutant found in gasoline
is benzene, toluene, and xylenes.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOC's have properties of being a gas
at room temperatures. Often 10 times higher concentrations indoors than
outdoors, these air pollutants can have short and long term effects. These
products all contain VOC's:
·
Paints
·
Lacquers
·
Paint strippers
·
Cleaning supplies
·
Pesticides
·
Building materials
·
Office equipment
·
Glues and adhesives
·
Permanent markers
·
Photographic solutions
Many of the cleaning agents also
contain organic solvents. Eye, nose, and mouth irritation, headaches,
dizziness, fatigue, allergic skin reactions can all be symptoms of inhalation
of these chemicals. If you do use these chemicals, make sure there is plenty of
ventilation and put the caps back on tight when done. Gas can still leak out of
the containers after closing them so if you have old chemicals and don't use
them, then discard them properly. Paint strippers, adhesive removers, and
aerosol spray paints all contain the solvent methylene chloride, which the body
can convert to carbon monoxide, so use extreme care when using these chemicals.
Benzene (C6H6)
Benzene is a known human carcinogen,
so keep exposure to that at a minimum. Benzene is found in tobacco smoke,
stored fuels, and paint supplies. Discard paint supplies and fuels that are not
used.
Formaldehyde (CH20)
Did you just have new carpet
installed in your home or just finished an insulation project? If the answer is
yes, then formaldehyde gas may be leaking from them. A major source of
formaldehyde is building materials. Carpets, insulation foam, and particleboard
all contain formaldehyde. Mobile homes and new homes with pressed-wood
materials can contain significant amounts of formaldehyde. Headaches,
dizziness, nausea, and other eye, respiratory, and skin irritations are all
common symptoms. Environmental experts disagree as to what is a safe limit of
formaldehyde for the general public.
Radon
Indoor radon is the second leading
cause of lung cancer in the United
States and the leading cause among
non-smokers. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless natural radioactive
gas released from the earth. This air pollutant enters the environment through
the soil, through uranium and phosphate mines, and through coal combustion.
Because it is a heavy gas, it tends to collect in basements, entering through
spaces in the soil or fill material around a home's foundation. Detectors are
available that will measure the amount of radon in your home.
Perchloroethylene
This chemical is used most widely in
dry cleaning. When your clothes come back from the dry cleaners, make sure
there is no chemical smell emanating from them. If you do smell something, do
not accept them until they have dried completely. At higher concentrations,
perchloroethylene can range from dizziness and headaches to excessive sweating
and unconsciousness.
Summary
It
helps to be aware of what is inside your household products and how they may be
affecting your health. Environmentalists say to think globally but act locally,
and the first step to following this mantra is knowledge. There are a multitude
of other chemicals that contribute to air pollution. You may often use them day
in and day out, perhaps even in your job. Take precaution when using them and
always use them in a well-ventilated area. If you think you may have a serious
problem in your home that doesn't involve an easy solution, such as radon, it
would be wise to consult an environmental professional.
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