EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this report is to determine and evaluate the health impacts of long-term exposure to PM2.5 in Delhi. Several possible self-protective solutions for people in Delhi will be discussed. Researches are done by critically comparing, summarizing and analyzing the data from academic articles. Delhi pollution control committee is proposed to be our client. The ambient PM2.5 in Delhi is 15 times higher than the WHO guidelines, which is identified as the most significant pollutants threatening the public health. These fine and condensed particles affect the respiratory and cardiovascular health of people in Delhi. Results of studies show that the duration and intensity of the exposure to the PM2.5 determines the likelihood and severity of getting the lung diseases. Series adverse effects from the PM2.5 also give chance to cardiovascular disorders for people in Delhi. The statistical results indicate that the increasing tendency of mortality and morbidity in the recent years is closely related to the high staying-on concentration of PM2.5. The report also proposes the recommendations regarding to the self-protection, including the introduction of 3M masks or new nanofiber masks, the promotion of taking antioxidant-containing drinks or food, the intake of micronutrients and strengthening the air quality monitoring system. Although all strategies are based on the accessibility and cost-effectiveness, there are limitations coming along with the
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
In the past decade, the severe air pollution problem in fast developing countries, particularly in China, has caused highly social and scientific attention. In 2014, 92 % of the world population are exposed over to the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) PM2.5 concentration level of 10 μg/m3 (World Health Organization, 2016). Ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution ranked as the third leading risk factor in India and Nepal, and ranked as the fifth in China (GBD 2015 Risk Factors Collaborators, 2016). In 2012, about 3 million deaths globally were attributed solely to ambient air pollution, and around 87% of it occurred in low- and middle-income countries (World Health Organization, 2016).
From November 1-9, 2016, there was horrible smog that went through Delhi, India. The reason that the smog was so deadly is because in the smog there was a dangerous particle that was roaming in the air. The particle is called PM 2.5. Having PM 2.5 in the air was more than 16 times the limit that the government of India thought was safe (Barry 11). Delhi’s Chief minister called for emergency measures, including a five-day stop on construction, a 10 day closure of a power plant, and a three day closure of about 1,800 schools. Everyone was advised to wash their eyes with running water and to go to a hospital if you are experiencing problems like “breathlessness, giddiness, chest pain, and chest constriction (Barry 11). The way people survived was by wearing masks and by putting purifiers in rooms and staying there. It was very hard for people to get out of the house or to exercise. People couldn’t go out to eat or go to the movies. They can only go places where the air is purified (Barry 11). When it got cold the Delhi’s poor will burn trash and plastic for warmth which adds to the smog(Barry 11). Fireworks will also be set for the Hindu Festival Diwali which would add to the smog as well. There is also normal pollution like cars and construction. People would have to survive the first few days with the smog. “The damage from sustained exposure is the same as smoking more than two packs of cigarettes a day” (Barry 10). People are most likely to identify pollution as their health problems. It was hard for people to work when the government closed everything. There was not a lot of energy in delhi, being the powerplant was down. During the time the smog was in delhi, and when the government was trying to fix it. People could of done their part of helping the environment or even help other people. The article doesn't fully explain how the smog exited Delhi, but I know the air started to
According to a study done in the US (WHO, 2010), persons with lower socioeconomic status had higher levels of PM2.5 exposure than those of a higher status. This was based on the following indicators: Unemployment, education, earnings and poverty. The study revealed that persons with education less than a high school degree had higher exposures than those with a high school degree. This is also true for the unemployed, those in the poverty range as well as those with lower earnings than those of a higher status.
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,
The University of Texas Health Science Center has found that the amount of PM2.5 in the air in Houston, Texas can be linked with a small increase in mortality rate. Houston is largely industrialized which accounts for the emission of pollutants that negatively affect the people and environment. Home to America’s largest petrochemical industry, as well as many ports and forms of transportation, it’s little surprise that the concentration of PM2.5 in the city can be greater than some other cities. Scientists recorded the levels of PM2.5 in Houston over 11 years and found that though the PM2.5 particles’ mass was greater than the national standard on only 17 days out of the 11 years, on those single days, the mortality risk increased by 1.43%.
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
Size of particulates in air pollution also play a major factor in the exacerbation of lung diseases. Studies shown a correlation between air particulate size (10pg/m3) and a 10% to 25 % increase in bronchitis or chronic cough in patients with COPD9.
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.
Air contamination can hurt us when it aggregates at high amounts all around in sufficiently high concentrations. A huge number of Americans live in ranges where urban brown haze, molecule contamination, and poisonous toxins posture genuine wellbeing concerns. Individuals presented to sufficiently high levels of certain air contaminations may encounter: bothering of the eyes,nose, and throat, wheezing, hacking, mid-section snugness, and breathing troubles. Compounding of existing lung and heart issues, for example, asthma. Increased danger of heart disease What's more, long haul introduction to air contamination can bring about malignancy and harm to the invulnerable, neurological, conceptive, and respiratory frameworks. In extraordinary cases,
Epidemiologic studies have indicated that air pollution can induce COPD exacerbations. The increased concentration of dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in particulate matter up to 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter, and black smoke particulate matter can increase respiratory mortality in patients with COPD [113, 114]. Some clinical studies showed that air pollution may account for approximately 6 to 9% of admissions, depending on the time of year [114]. Patients with COPD have also been shown to be at increased risk of death associated with urban particle air pollution [115]. Studies in vitro have shown that diesel exhaust particles stimulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as GM-CSF and IL-8. These cytokines may be involved
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.
Ambient and indoor air pollutants have been a major source of concern all over the world, especially in major cities of developing countries due to increasing need for transportation, industrial development and fuels for household uses by an increasing population of dwellers. These pollutants, which majorly include particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, cause significant morbid conditions ranging in severity from eye irritation to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases with mortality cases at extremes. The growing threat of these pollutants in the face of rapid urbanization therefore calls
“I have been all over India for the past few months, and every area has been different. The two cities that I’ve mainly been in are Pune and Delhi. Pune was polluted, but not anything too alarming. The visibility was fairly normal and the air quality index was in the unhealthy range, but it never reached hazardous. Delhi, however, has been unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” said Rachael Letscher, a Westminster Alumni who has been working in India. “During the really bad week the AQI was over 1000 (it was recorded as 1010 at the American embassy). You couldn't see more than about 50-100 yards in front of you. It was like a giant blanket of grey smoke just covered the city. Everyone had on face masks, and pharmacies were running out of facemasks to sell. It got to the point that our advisor for the semester moved us to a more northern city (Dehradun) to escape the pollution. My friend and I were curious about the effects that the pollution has for people that live in Delhi, and the saddest thing we discovered was that over 50% of school children have unrepairable lung damage as compared to children not growing up in polluted areas. During the week in November where it was the worst, schools were closed because of the smog. Flights were canceled, and it was estimated that breathing the air was equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes a day. Some of the major causes for
The New York Times posted an article on November 7th titled, “Smog Chokes Delhi, Leaving Residents ‘Cowering by Our Air Purifiers’” that detailed the urgency of the issue. Deadly coarse and fine air particles reached concentrations that have been unheard of before, sixteen times the limit that India’s government considers safe. The personal damage sustained physically from daily exposure to these toxins is equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, experts say. In an urban area as densely populated as Delhi, concern for the health of citizens is a top priority. Schools in Delhi cancelled classes for a period of three days to keep children, who are more vulnerable to long-term medical issues, inside. Citizens were worried, upset, and looking for a cause behind early