Pollution is a term that is much talked about and discussed in different forms throughout mass media. Air pollution is one such prominent form that refers to the contamination of the air due to harmful gases entering into the atmosphere. Which may cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. Air pollution has natural and man-made causes, and leads to respiratory diseases and the depletion of the ozone layer. Air pollution is separated into natural and anthropogenic (human-made). Natural causes of air pollution includes forest fires and volcano eruptions as well as the breakdown of organic material by bacteria into the atmosphere. However, anthropogenic causes are of the most concern and are much discussed due to the …show more content…
The different kinds of air pollution and time of exposure can lead to diverse effects which can adversely affect the respiratory system and organs. The effects range from mild upper respiratory irritation to asthma, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. In children, air pollution can lead to acute and chronic respiratory infections. In a study from the Southern California Children’s Health, which observed the long-term effects of air pollution on children. Researchers found that those who grew up in heavily polluted areas face the increased risk of having underdeveloped lungs. Which as time passes may never recover to their full capacity (72). Additionally, short and long term exposure to air pollution has been “linked to premature mortality and reduced life expectancy.” (Kampa, Marilena, and Castanas …show more content…
One such action government-funded research into developing clean, renewable, and environmentally-friendly energy sources in order to replace fossil fuels. In a study by national academies, the U.S. derives 85 percent of its energy from fossil fuels compared to the 7 percent acquired from renewable sources. (2) These sources such as solar and wind will produce little to no carbon emissions. A further action is for State and local officials to enforce strict regulations and an emissions inspection on vehicles and industrial facilities to reduce atmospheric pollutants. Some of the many actions that each individual can take is to replace fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs with LED light fixtures. LED lights are more efficient than fluorescent lights and incandescent bulbs. Also individuals can help reduce air pollution is by turning off electronics appliances when not in use and also making use of public modes of transportation and use of
“Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness often associated with familial, allergenic, socioeconomic, psychological and environmental factors.” (Rhodes 2002) Traffic related air pollution at home and school has been associated with adverse health effects, specifically on the respiratory system, resulting in an increased prevalence of asthma in children. The Southern California Children’s Health Study was designed to look at the chronic effects of air pollution on respiratory health. Previous research has shown an association of asthma with those that live in residential areas in close proximity to major roadways and exposure to traffic pollutants.
The causes of air pollution are burning fossils fuels releases gases and chemicals into the air. Climate changes also increases the production of allergenic air pollutants including mold. ‘There are examples of air pollution such as coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline to produce electricity and power our vehicles.’ “Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a good indicator of how much fossil fuel is burned and how much of other pollutants are emitted as a result.”(How Do We Cause Air Pollution)
Air pollution is the type of pollution that is the most dangerous of them all. The major cause of pollution is by the emissions of smoke from automobiles that especially emit suplur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. These gases can play a role in creating acid rain and smog. Sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide are greenhouse gases which are warming up the planet .Air pollution leads to people getting sick such as getting increasing the risk of lung cancer and other types of cancers, asthma, and allergies, getting headaches, respiratory diseases cardio vascular problems, and neurobehavioral disorders.
A common misconception is that asthma is strictly hereditary and that attacks occur spontaneously. On the contrary, exposure to pollutants in the air can both cause someone to develop asthma as well as aggravate extant asthma. Scientists have discovered “Increasing evidence suggests that long-term exposures to air pollution, especially TRAP (traffic related air pollution) and its surrogate, nitrogen dioxide, can contribute to new-onset asthma in both children and adults. Components of diesel exhaust may also cause asthma, shown by studies finding that children growing up along streets with heavy truck traffic are more likely to develop asthma-related respiratory symptoms” (McConnell). McConnell goes on to clarify, “Recent case–control and cohort studies have found an increased risk of asthma with early-life exposure to local residential traffic-related pollutants.” With this being said, most- if not all- doubt as to whether polluted air causes asthma to develop should be out the window at this point. Although one can be born with asthma or develop it outside of pollution related stimuli, the state of the environment should be the preeminent affair with which everyone gets involved in order to protect their lungs. Most triggers are hard to avoid but things such as our transportation are such permanent aspects of day to day life that making changes so they are not as toxic to our air should be a priority. Air contaminated by automobiles is a reigning peril toward healthy lungs.
Other main causes of air pollution are burning of fossil fuels, agricultural activities, exhaust from
What is air pollution? The online webster dictionary says,”Air pollution is the contamination of air by smoke and harmful gases, mainly oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen.” Air pollution is caused by both human and natural events. Natural events include fires, volcanic activity, erosion of the wind and many other things as well. Human events include manufacturing activities such as factories and workshops as well as burning fossil fuels and chemicals used for farming and household activities. There are many substances, minerals, and chemicals. Sometimes the air could
Breathing disorders have been well studied for several decades and findings have directly linked outdoor air pollution to asthma specifically. In 2014 Michael Guarnieri published an article that defined the specific mechanisms, particulate matter, gasses and TRAP entitled “Outdoor air pollution and asthma.” (Guarnieri & Balmes, 2014, para. 1)
Asthma is a serious chronic lung disease that appears rising because of increasing air pollution. The incidence of asthma has increased in children and adults over the last decades. Asthma causes breathing problems as the muscles tighten around the airways, because of this lungs get less air and reduce its function. The inner lining of the airways becomes inflamed and swollen. Attacks can be described by feeling chest pain, coughing and wheezing. However, air pollution causes asthma is under investigation, but it definitely can trigger. The impact of air pollution is severe when high levels of both indoor and outdoor pollution combines together. The airborne particles, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and ozone cause various respiratory irritations
Today, air quality is something that plays a major role in all of our lives. The types of chemicals or substances that are present in our air can be very alarming depending on where you live or who you are. Air pollution can cause various health effects to children and one major issue is asthma. In the past, researchers have indicated that heavy traffic leads to asthma if a child lives close to traffic. Also, other studies have looked at heavy traffic near schools and found that the prevalence of respiratory symptoms has increased. The studies mentioned did not provide strong associations or highly sound data, which lead to the Southern California Children’s Health Study (CHS). McConnell et al. (2010) wanted to investigate air pollution and
Air pollution is the result of many human activities- burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry all contribute to polluting the air we breathe. Human actions are damaging the Earth’s atmosphere; but pollution not only harms the environment, it also damages our health. According to the World Health Organization, 1.2 million deaths each year are caused by air pollution. Because of the risks associated with air pollution, we should all be aware of the pollutants and polluters in our communities.
There are many kinds of air pollution. The ones I want to talk about are the ozone, acid rain, carbon monoxide and toxic air contaminants. Ozone is formed when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide react in sunlight.
Air pollution is a type of pollution that occurs when harmful substances, including particulates and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. There is a lot of chemicals that get released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned; the effects that these chemicals have on our bodies when inhaled can be very detrimental to our health and well being. A few things that can occur when we breathe in polluted air are; firstly, you are put at a higher risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. Second, exposure to higher levels of particle pollution have been shown to correspond to higher risks of heart complications. Third, immune system, endocrine, and reproductive system damage; which can lead to future health complications. Four, when living in an area with lots of air pollution you are being put at higher risks for cancer. The pollutants in the air mostly contain of carcinogens; “any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer.” Five, contact with the air pollution can lead to neurobehavioral problems and premature death. These are a few of the main effects that air pollution has on humans.
Air pollution has many different categories and each is harmful in their own way. Almost every kind of air pollution is caused by these simple things, Energy use, fossil fuels, technology, and vehicles.
Air pollution is everywhere in today’s society from vehicles power plants, industries, and even forest fires. These pollutants are either manmade or from natural sources. No matter where they come from one thing they have in common is that these different kinds of pollutants are harmful to people’s health. Air pollutants affect the body’s organ systems causing damage, especially to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Air pollution contributes to the higher risk of developing or worsening respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The article asks the impact that air pollution has on infant health. The authors used data from New Jersey in the 1990s as the focus case to explore the answer to the question. This question is important because air