Monitoring Air Pollutants Inside Vehicle During Daily Commute

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

“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.

There are various types of air pollution contributors in California such as fire generated pollutants and vehicle traffic, which add particulate matter and carbon monoxide into the air we breathe. According to an article by Union of Concerned Scientists (Cars, trucks, and air pollution, 2014) particulate matter is made up of fine particles soot and metal that can pose serious threats to human health when deep in the lungs. Other pollutants emitted from vehicles are: nitrogen oxide which lowers the body’s defense system against respiratory infections such as pneumonia, carbon monoxide which blocks oxygen from reaching vital organs, sulfur dioxide which is emitted by both power plants and vehicles affect children and asthmatics, and hazardous air pollutants (toxics) which are chemicals that are linked to cancer, birth defects and other illnesses (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2014).

Louis. When living in a hard up income area there is always a tightly packed space between older automobiles, busses, and trucks. This destroyed the ozone, which would bring about cardiovascular problems such as asthma attacks. In the article Gammon states that "In Southern California communities , exposure through air pollution and traffic emissions stunts children's lung growth ,according to USC research " This hints that if a child happens to live nearby or is nearby a polluted area he or she is unprotected and is exposed to having

Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes one to experience difficulty breathing. Coming into contact with polluted air is one way to develop this disease. People must be more conscious of the threat air pollution poses to their lungs. It is their responsibility to keep the environment clean for their own sake. Automobiles are prime contributors to the corruption of oxygen. Steps must be taken away from this method of transportation ascribed to the severity of the repercussions. Traffic and smoke emissions must be controlled to prevent further outbreak of asthma cases.

Have you ever wondered where majority of the air pollution comes from and how it’s caused since half of the population here in the San Joaquin Valley are affected due to the contamination of the air. Many people around the world question themselves of air pollution but don’t know where it comes from. It's noticeable for example pesticides, ozone levels rising, vehicle pollution, toxic waste burning, wildfires, and the list goes on. The San Joaquin Valley for many have been battling for better air quality but instead of getting better it seems to be getting worse. The air quality can contribute to dangerous health issues and environmental effects. We humans aren't the only ones who are suffering from these devastating chemicals being used on a daily basis. Humans in general, Environmental Protection Agency, or California have to find ways or solutions to limit the usage of any type of air pollution being spread all around the world. However, air pollution contributes to several health problems that can either be longer term effect or short term effect. Limiting the usage of ozone into the air will reduce the chance of new born children from suffering major effects that can later turn

For the past few years, the American Lung Association has been releasing its annual reports on the “State of The Air” that lists the most polluted cities in the United States. For instance, in 2014, out of the seven cities ranked to have the worst air quality, six of them are in California. The two major air pollution culprits in California are from the transportation sources such as trucks and cars, or from the stationary sources such as industrial facilities and refineries (Ierodiakonou, et al. 392). However, the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association includes other pollutants in their reports such as Sulphur(IV) oxide, Carbon(II) Oxide gas and Nitrogen(IV) Oxide from chemical industries, which also causes harm to human beings and the environment at large.

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

Global warming is correlated with hot, humid days that can activate asthma symptoms. For patients with chronic lung diseases the onset of an intense heat wave can lead to death. “A study of New York City summers from 1991 to 2004 found that each 1°C above an empirically derived temperature-health effect threshold for the population resulted in a 2.7% to 3.1% increase in same-day hospitalizations for respiratory diseases,” (Bernsetein and Rice pg 3). The elderly with respiratory diseases and people living in urban areas due to amplification of temperature rises are the most prone to the effects of heat waves. (Another result of increase in temperature is the increased likelihood of forest fires releasing particulate matter (PM) and carcinogens, which have also been, linked to increased likelihood of asthma symptoms and hospital visits. PM can carry absorbed toxic compounds deep inside the lung do to their size to weight ratio. The majority of PM in the atmosphere comes from desertification and droughts and these natural events are likely to increase as a result of global warming. Even individuals with healthy functioning lungs were shown to have decreases lung function after exposure to PM and carcinogens. People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are effected most by air pollution because sometimes the pollution can lead to

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is predominantly sourced from vehicle emissions5 and exposure to traffic-related particles is associated with increased risk of asthma in children6.

New York City has a significant air pollution problem that causes death for hundreds of people year round. Researchers at NYU’s medical school have reported that just

Increase in motor vehicles use and increase exposure to traffic emissions has been linked to adverse health effects such as asthma exacerbation, decrease pulmonary function, adverse health outcomes, and childhood cancer. 2 In urban areas, motor vehicles contribute to more than 50 % of the air pollution. 2

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)

The negative effects of automobile emissions pollution were recognized long ago. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare estimated in the late 1950’s that nationwide, cars contribute 48 percent of the carbon monoxide, 4 percent of the sulfur dioxide, 32 percent of the nitrogen oxides, 59 percent of hydrocarbons and 8 percent of the particulate matter in our atmosphere. With all of these figures together, it meant that the automobile was by far the nations largest polluter, being responsible for 43 percent of all air pollution (Patterson 6). These numbers were staggering and brought many people to the opinion that something had to be done.

Nationally, in May 2011, Los Angeles was rated the second most polluted city out of 24 cities (citymayors.com), due to the ozone and air pollution, and many citizens suffer asthma and other health hazardous problems because of the pollution. Also, mnn.com states that LA Long Beach Riverside was “ranked #3 in long term particle pollution, #1 in ozone pollution and #4 in short term particle pollution”. The problem may be arising from the vast usage of cars, coal fired power plants which consumes more energy and electricity etc. According to sciencedaily.com, Dr. Weaver mentions that “Air pollution shortens lifespan, it lands our children and elderly in emergency rooms, and it can make children and teens more vulnerable to lung disease for the rest of their lives.” We need to stop this environmental threat.