Chapter 2
Literature Review
Literature Review
A study done (1994) on short term effects of Air pollution daily mortality in Athens has indicated a positive association of Sulphur dioxide. Since 1983 the pollution profile in Athens has gradually changed but the levels of smoke, SO2 and carbon monoxide remain relatively high.1
Troposphere Air pollution (1997) has impacts on scales ranging from local to global reactive intermediates in the oxidation of mixtures of volatile organic compounds and oxides of Nitrogen play central roles.2
Further Epidemiological studies have shown a clear association between cardiovascular morbidity, decreased lung function, increased hospital admissions, mortality and Airborne concentrations of photochemical and particulate pollutants.3
An epidemiological Study (2001) was done about Air pollution as a risk factor for low birth weight. 4
A study was undertaken (2002) to examine and determine whether Air pollution may be a consequence of alterations in blood, secondary to pulmonary inflammation caused by actionof the fine particles on alveolar cells.5
The Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) was an international multiplatform field campaign to measure long scale transport of air pollution from south to south east Asia towards Indian ocean during dry monsoon season in 1999. A high pollution levels were observed over the entire northern Indian ocean, its shown that agricultural burning and especially biofuel use enhance carbonmonoxide concentrations.6
It
Pollution continues to pose an enormous threat to residents of urban cities worldwide. In the August 2008 Monthly Update, it is stated that approximately 800,000 deaths each year can be attributed to outdoor air pollution, making pollution the single most harmful environmental hazard to human health in urban areas (Kallman). The fact that pollution kills hundreds of thousands of people each year alone portrays just how dangerous living in these conditions can be. Kallman writes about a study which proves an increase in upper respiratory diseases, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, and low birth weights when exposed to air pollutants (August 2008: Monthly Update). These can be very serious diseases and complications which, when contracted, can lead to death or very serious illnesses. There
"On high pollution days we may detect extra cases of stroke, other myocardial infarctions, heart attacks, for instance, and also PM (particulate matter) air pollution has been linked to premature mortality," she said.
Air pollution situation is created by the release of pollutants into the air .These substances are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. When air becomes contaminated or polluted, it becomes hazard to humankind and other living species on the earth. The use of energy and different forms of gaseous emissions is the reason for air pollution. According to John Walke, director of the Clean Air Project, part of the Climate and Clean Air program at NRDC. “Burning fossil fuels releases gases and chemicals into the air.” Air pollutants are identified as an indicator of air quality are nitrogen oxides (NO2), sulphur oxides (SO2), carbon monoxides (CO), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM10) and lead (Pb). SO2, NO2, CO and PM10. These are well recognized as sources emitted from the combustion of fuels used in power and desalination plants (Brunekreef, B., & Holgate, S. T.,2002).
Did you know many upper respiratory diseases such as asthma and others diseases like cataracts and skin cancer are aggravated by air pollution. The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) states that “the following air pollutants are common triggers of asthma, ground level ozone, sulfur dioxide, fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxide.” Air pollution is the presence in or introduction into the air of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.
Air pollution is the dispersion of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials into the atmosphere, causing diseases, allergies and death to humans, damage to other living organisms such as animals and food crops or the natural or built environments (Brunekreef & Holgate, 2002; Nowak, Crane, & Stevens, 2006). Polluted air directly or indirectly may cause or be attributed to an increase in fatality or serious unwellness and decline humans state of health (Kampa & Castanas, 2008). For example, in Canada, the Ontario Medical Association has attributed 9500 premature deaths per year and evaluates increased costs of health care ($506.64 M) and missed productivity ($374.18) as a result of air pollution (Rowe, 2011). Thus, employment
The primary health issues that come with the impact of air pollution are asthma, cardiovascular illnesses and premature mortality. These health issues are due to pollution and the poor air quality such as ozone. Thus, human health becomes a concern and issue. The individuals who are usually more vulnerable to such illnesses are the children and elderly. For example, there’s approximately 162,438 children under the age of and 258,586 adults aged 65 years and older in Riverside county that are prone to environmental health illnesses (cdph). According to UCLA institute of the Environment and Sustainability,
Poor air quality is associated with some health issues from the short-term problems to severe
These pollutants are characterized as air toxics, which include lead, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and a variety of other chemicals. The impact of air pollution could be very serious to both the heath condition of the population, which could by extension affects the economy of the impacted community. However, this impact is directly related to the amount of pollution in the air. Health consequences from air pollution could range from eye irritation, brain and nerve damage, runny nose, cancer, heart and
Apparently, Ozone is a lung-searing gas, which brings irritations in the airways causing respiratory problems (Kim, et al. 137). In California, both ozone and particulate matters have increased the heart and respiratory diseases such as asthma, lung diseases, bronchitis and heart problems for both children and adults. Nevertheless, some of this other harmful gas such as Carbon(II) Oxide, Nitrogen(IV) Oxide, and Sulphur(IV) oxide has also brought about cardiovascular
Air pollution has been recognized as a major threat to environmental health, and the effects that it can have on the population are extremely varied. In the environmental aspects, air
Evidence suggests a role for particles and other traffic-related components in particular (Chiu et al, 2014). Exposure to environmental toxicants, such as air pollution starting in utero, couple potentially alter course of lung growth and affect both the structure and function of the respiratory system. Studies link prenatal air pollution exposure, including fine particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, with wheeze, respiratory tract infections, and reduced lung function in
Moreover, acute health effects were observed at levels common in many us cites such as Los Angeles, as well as, below current U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Overall these studies shown respiratory effect increase parallel with pollution levels, with a near linear dose-response
Starting in the year 2004, the air pollution has reached an alarming level in the city o Toronto. Dr Barbara Yaffe, the acting medical officer of health of Toronto Public health, has released a report in July 2004 saying that the “air pollution [in the city] has contributed to over 1700 premature deaths and 6000 hospitalization admission in Toronto each year” (Yaffe, 2004, p.i). According to this report, pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide have increased within the air of the city; these pollutants are tiny particles that are 2.5 micron in diameter or less and can affect people’s respiratory system and cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems such as “asthma, bronchitis in children, adult chronic bronchitis, and heart problem” (TPH, 2007, figure 1). Although it
Some of these studies, analysed the association between traffic pollution and the rate of asthma hospitalisation, concluding that traffic-related pollution was one factor that affects asthma (Pereira et al., 2010; Puig-barbera & Bellido-blasco, 2009; Sahsuvaroglu et al., 2009). However, the study of M??lter et al., (2015) suggests a negative association between traffic-related pollution and asthma is
Air, is one of the most substantial source to mankind and our planet. While it exists, so does everything else along. However, in today’s epidemic, there has been certain factors that have increased in understanding whether the air we breathe today is healthy or not? Is it doing more harm than we thought? In other words, the health risks against air pollution have risen in the past few decades; all from what you may ask? Well, it could be for various factors and evaluations; either environmental or materialistic. Pollution is a major public health crisis in the world. (Friis, 2012). This is one of the conflicts that contribute to various aspects of an individual’s life, whether they may realize it or not. In this paper will include the sources that cause pollution with the effects it cause as well as policies on the regulation of air pollution.