HOW AIR POLLUTION AFFECTING HUMAN HEALTH

Air pollution is most dreadful and adversely affects the human health. Various air pollutants are available in our environment which affects the human health in different ways. Principally the pollutants are produced by power generation, industries and motor vehicles traffic. These pollutants not only affect the peoples living in the vicinity but these pollutants travels to long distance, therefore, also affect those who live far from pollution emitting sources. Pollutants are mainly consisting of Particulate Matters, Ozone, Nitrogen Oxide and Sulphur Dioxide. Particulate Matters in environment causes most serious concern for our health, exposure to Ozone, Nitrogen Oxide and Sulphur Dioxide also causes to serious concern to human health.

Particulate Matter

Particulate Matter is mainly consisting of sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral, dust and water. It is generally available in our environment in the form of complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances. Different sizes of particles are available in our environment, but particulate matter equal and below to 10 microns with high concentration adversely affect to human health.

Heavy exposure of Particulate Matters equal and below to 10 microns contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, as well as it may cause to lung cancer.

Ozone (O₃)

This ozone is available at ground level; this is different from ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. It is formed by reaction of sunlight (photochemical reaction) with the pollutants such as nitrogen oxide from vehicles and industries emissions and volatile organic compound (VOCs) emitted by the vehicles and industry. Highest level of ozone pollution exists in day time and sunny weather conditions.

Excessive ozone in the air may cause breathing problems, develop asthma, reduce lung function and may cause to lung diseases.

Nitrogen Oxide

Emission of Nitrogen Oxide is associated with combustion process (heating, power generation and engines in vehicles)

Long exposure to nitrogen oxide may develop the symptoms of bronchitis in asthmatic children. Reduced lung function growth has been observed with concentrations of nitrogen oxide.

Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur Dioxide is colourless gas having sharp odour. It is produced by burning of fossil fuels that contains sulphur such as coal and oil (power generation and motor vehicles). It is also produced by smelting of mineral ores that contain sulphur.

Irritation of eyes, coughing and mucus secretion may cause due to sulphur dioxide. It may also cause to asthma and chronic bronchitis and makes people more prone infection of respiratory tract.

Conclusion

Power generation from coal and oil, industries and the motor vehicles are most responsible for the pollution.  The concentration of particulate matters equal and below to 10 microns adversely affect the human health. Other pollutants ozone, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide also affect the human health.