Respiratory problems due to inhaling polluted air

AIR POLLUTION

            

          Air pollution canaggrevate arterial and respiratory problems.Ozone layer and black smoke, 
a major source of PM2.5(Particulate matter,in the 2.5 micron range or smaller). led to an increase in the rates of death from all causes,primarily because of an increase of as much as 5 percent in cardiovascular and respiratory aging.

              Air quality may also have a significant effect on the development of asthma, a disease that affects as many as 20 million Americans.

HOW IS AIR POLLUTION PRODUCES ASTHMA.

                  

                 Small air particles from the polluted air get deep into the lungs.Even though the immune system responds, the particles impair immune system.

                   That impairment allows infections to occur which results in asthma.So, pollution doesn't produce asthma but the lung which in turn leads to asthma.Asthma rates are increasing in intensely urban areas such as inner-city areas.

LUNG DISEASE AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

                  Diseases, pollutants and genetics can affect your respiratory health.The simple cold - which is caused by more than 200 different viruses-inflames the upper respiratory tract, resulting in a cough combined with mucus is a sign of bronchitis, where the membranes lining the bronchial tubes become inflamed.

                    The inflammatory lung disease asthma effects more than 20 million people, making airways constrict when exposed to irritants like dust,pet dander and cigarette smoke.

                     Pneumonia, another inflammation of the lungs, can occur because of bacterial or viral infection.

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

Agricultural activities:

                          Ammonia is a very common by product from agriculture related activities and is one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere.Use of insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural activities has grown lot.They emit harmful chemicals and also cause water pollution.

Indoor air pollution:

                          Household cleaning products,painting supplies emit toxic chemicals in the air and cause air pollution.Whenever somebody paints their houses, a smell comes from it causes irritable and makes impossible to breathe.

Mining operations:

                         Mining is a process that minerals under the earth are extracted using large equipment's.During the process dust and chemicals are released in the air causing heavy air pollution.By this process the health conditions of workers and nearby living people causes more dangerous diseases.

Factories and industries:

                         Industries produces large amount of carbon monoxide,hydro carbons,organic compounds and chemicals into the air thereby exhaust the air.Manufacturing industries can be found at every corner of the earth and they are affected so many areas.In petrol refineries the hydrocarbons and other chemicals released and that pollute the air, also causes land pollution.

            India is most air polluted area compared to china, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh according to study released in this year's world economic forum.
            The World Health Organisation estimates that 2 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution, who may suffer from breathing problems, heart disease, lung infections and even cancer.Fine particles or microscopic dust from coal or wood fires and unfiltered diesel engines are rated as one of  the most lendal  forms or air pollution caused by industry, transport, household heating, cooking and aged coal or oil fired power stations.
            Four reasons for air pollution are emissions from vehicles, thermal power plants, industries and refineries.
            Methane, a green house gas is a key contributor to climate change.
            Vehicle emissions are responsible for 70% of the country's air pollution.  
           Bhopal Gas Tragedy was the greatest industrial disaster in the world that took place at a union carbide pesticide plant in the Indian city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. At midnight on 3rd December 1984, the plant accidentally released Methyl IsoCyanate (MIC) gas,exposing more than 500,000 people to MIC and other chemicals.The official immediate death follows 2,259. The government of Madhyapradesh has confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related of the gas release, other estimate 8,000-10,000 died within 72 hours and 25,000 have since died from gas-related diseases, man-made environmental disaster in history.
           The brilliant white of the famous TajMahal is slowly fading to a sickly yellow.
           
How To Prevent Us From Polluted Air
               

1. Stop smoking or at least follow the "No Smoking" signs.
2. Use unleaded gasoline in your cars.
3. Keep your car properly maintained to keep it in good running condition to avoid smoke emissions.
4. Instead of going by cars, choose a walk or ride by a bicycle whenever possible.With this friendly practice, you will also be healthier and happier by staying fit. 
5. Never use open fires to dispose of wastes.
6. Plant more trees and put indoor plants in your homes. They clean the air, provide oxygen and beautify your surrounding.
7. Have a proper waste disposal system especially for toxic wastes.
8. Take very good care of your pets and their wastes.
9. Do not litter in public places.
10. Industries should use fuel with lower sulphur content.
11. Organic waste should be dumped in places far from residential areas.
12. Use cloth bag and don't burn plastic.
13. Enjoy fresh air from open windows to lessen the use of air conditioning system.
14. Start composting brown leaves in your yard and green scraps from your kitchen.
15. Use masks while travel by polluted area.        

    The air pollution mainly causes bronchitis.we will see about bronchitis in the next post.