What Does PM Affect Public Health?

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

(Hales & Corvalan 2006) document that indoor air pollution from solid fuel combustion in homes in the third world is attributed to 1.6 million deaths annually.

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).

Inefficient wood stoves and fireplaces can seriously compromise air quality inside homes, as well as contribute to outdoor air pollution problems.

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 can be undoubtedly harmful to pregnancy. Substances such as carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, emissions from solid biomass, and nitroarenes all contribute to air pollution. Studies done in North Carolina, California, and East India all conclude the same thing; air pollutants do affect the health of babies during pregnancy. The most severe affects from these toxins include cancer, short-and-long-term morbidity, and stillbirth. Still damaging, yet less traumatizing effects include low birth weight, small for gestational age, and preterm birth. PM2.5 is particulate matter in the air. One study shows it reduces birth weight by 3.1 g (Gray, 2013). Because most of air

The World Health Organization estimated that more than 800,000 deaths worldwide were due to outdoor air pollution. Air pollution is a growing issue in industrialized areas due to exposure from industrial and traffic sources. Harm to the human body occurs from exposure to and inhalation of particulate matter (PM) (Barnes et al., 2012). PM is liquid or solid particles in the air, that when small enough in size, can be harmful to the human body when inhaled. Two common sizes of particulate matter are PM_10 and PM_2.5. PM_10 are particles that are 2.5 to 10 micrometers in size, and includes dust, mold and pollen just to name a few. PM_2.5 are particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in size, and consists of particles from vehicles, industries, and burning. Smaller particles are able to get into the lungs and potentially cause serious health problems (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2015). These health problems include acute cardiovascular events, changes to blood pressure, coagulation, myocardial perfusion, and chronic respiratory diseases (Barnes et al., 2012).

PM10 is an inhalable particles with the diameters is generally 10 micrometers and smaller. It comes with many types and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Mostly, these particles are emitted from the reactions of sulfur dioxides and nitrogen dioxides, which are emitted from industries, automobiles and power

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.

If the movement of people, food and manufactured goods can have a negative impact on public health, I believe that important changes and steps should be taken to reduce these flows.

In addition I am interested in exposures to PMs emitted from the use of Nano-Enabled Products (NEPs). The large-scale usage of NEPs makes consumer and occupational exposure inevitable. In order to develop regulations to control the usage of these materials, it is imperative to understand the potential exposure routes, the exposure levels, the chemical composition of the emissions, and the mechanism of the nanoparticle – cell interactions.

According to the EPA (n.d.), the air quality index for the Maytown area is currently listed as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” AQI is 101-150, which is not likely to affect the general population. However, for a small number of individuals with sensitivities to air pollutions there may be a moderate health concern for experiencing respiratory symptoms. Corresponding 2008 CDC data lists the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in Lancaster County at 15.0 (µg/m3), which is significantly high. The concern is for long-term damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems and even cancer and birth defects from the exposure. Lancaster County is higher than the US median of 10.7 (µg/m3), (CHSI, 2008).

PM2.5 fine inhalable combustion particles connecting this to serious health problem including cardiovascular disease, aggravation of respiratory and premature deaths. PM10 standard to protection against the effect of dust, pollen, mold, etc. exposure to coarse particles (epa.gov). 1) Primary standard (health-based) and secondary-standard (welfare-based) protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, including the health of at-risk population/pre-existing condition. 2) Secondary standard (welfare-based) protection public welfare (the state of doing well) from adverse effects, including visibility impairment and known or anticipated on the environment.

For individuals living in polluted area, it is necessary to know some basic methods that can help reduce health problems resulted from exposure to pollutants. The authorities has announced several tips to prevent potential health problems caused by smog. The best way to stay isolated from pollutants is either staying indoors or wearing masks outdoor. Accordingly, outdoor activities, especially sports and exercise, are strongly not recommended. While staying indoor, residents could utilize green plants and humidifiers to absorb and precipitate harmful substances. There is also an interesting commercial phenomenon related to smog pollution. Many medical equipment manufacturers have introduced mouth muffles that are advertised having function of filtering out PM 2.5. Meanwhile, a lot of companies have increased the supply of air purifiers in the market responding to the smog crisis. It turns out that this sort of particular merchandises are very popular in the market so that some retailers experienced supply shortage for a while. Also, to improve immune system, people need to obtain more vitamins and nutrients through a variety of diet. In China, it is universally believed that many herbal plants have the function of preventing illness related to virus and toxics. Therefore, many people take this advantage when they are not sick therefore lowering the chance of visiting hospital.

PM 2.5 in AQI, contributes to the poor quality of the air and is the major cause