Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health

Introduction

Air pollution refers to the presence of toxic chemicals or pollutants in our atmosphere at elevated levels than what has been dictated as safe by world organizations. It is a phenomenon of deviation from natural conditions of concentrations of various components of the atmosphere. These changes usually occur gradually, however, are irreversible.

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Air pollution disaster

Air pollution is a worldwide problem. Although it is believed that low- to middle-income companies are affected by it more than rich nations owing to greater industrial operations, all nations suffer from the aftermaths of air pollution. According to a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 99% of the global population inhales polluted air that does not qualify the WHO guidelines of permissible limits.

Considering rapid industrialization and increasing population load, the issue of air pollution is rising at an alarming rate. WHO predicts air pollution to be a cause of nearly 7 million untimely deaths per annum.

Causes of air pollution

Air pollution is caused by both natural and manmade activities. Natural activities that cause air pollution are

• Biological decay is a widespread activity and produces methane and sulfur dioxide which are potent greenhouse gases.

• Volcanic eruptions emit massive volumes of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and chlorine gases along with massive heat. Further, volcanic ash can reach various places along with the wind and cause health troubles to infants, the sick, and the elderly.

• Dust Storms are common in arid and semi-arid regions and arise due to the blowing of loose sand and dirt in contact with strong winds.

• Wildfires are caused by lightning or excessively hot weather that releases particulate matter like smoke and ash, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

• Molds, pollens, and allergens are released from weeds, trees, and grasses. They are also found in our home. For example, damp areas such as unvented bathrooms, humidifiers, cooling coils, etc. can house molds.

However, the major source of air pollution remains the anthropogenic (man-made) sources like

• The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation, industrial uses, and transportation release an excessive amount of nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere. This disturbs the natural balance and contributes to smog and acid rain. It also releases several other gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, unburnt hydrocarbons, volatile organic carbons, etc which are harmful to living organisms at elevated concentrations. They also generate a large amount of particulate matter.

• Use of refrigerants, aerosol sprays, solvents, paint, and varnish which release chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere. CFCs are themselves non-toxic, however, they are broken down into ozone-deteriorating compounds in the presence of UV rays in the upper stratosphere.

• Construction and demolition activities produce dust, diesel engine exhaust, toxic vapours from thinners, paints, plastics, etc. They are a major source of indoor pollution. They constitute PM10, PAHs, VOCs, metals such as asbestos, and gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide.

Effect of air pollution

Various air pollutants affect our environment and lives in the following manner −

• Dust storm causes loss of soil along with nutrient-rich particles and organic matter. This leads to reduced agricultural productivity. They also result in damage to young crops through the abrasion effect. They reduce visibility thus affecting transportation.

• Ash from volcanoes can cause eye irritation and respiratory disorders. It is capable of disrupting the working of wastewater treatment plants through clogging. It is harmful to grazing livestock.

• Wildfires disrupt power, water, gas supplies, transportation, and communication. They result in the loss of agricultural crops, loss of wild flora and fauna as well as human lives. Wildfires are difficult to control as once started they spread rapidly over the whole forest area.

• The burning of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases and thus enhances global warming and acid rains. Abnormal climate change is a direct result of increasing greenhouse gases which leads to rising ambient temperature, followed by rising sea level, and an imbalance between droughts and floods. It also emits soot (particulate matter) which decreases the atmospheric reflectivity and causes respiratory diseases.

• Chlorofluorocarbons are a major danger to the ozone layer as they react with UV rays and destroy the ozone layer, which acts as a protective shield for our environment. This leads to the entry of harmful radiations to the earth's surface causing melting of polar ice and skin diseases in living organisms.

Impact on human health

Biological pollutants are relatively less harmful and can cause mild allergic reactions like

• Pneumonitis
• Asthma
• Allergic rhinitis

However, long-term exposure may become a serious issue. Symptoms of health issues caused by biological contaminants include watery eyes, sneezing, shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, fever, lethargy, and upset stomach.

However, all other pollutants possess more danger to human beings than biological pollutants. Air pollution is associated with the manifestation and progression of following diseases like asthma, lymphoma, lung and/or breast cancer, psychological complication, ventricular hypertrophy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, digestive disorders, stroke and heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), retinopathy, autism, abnormal blood pressure, fetal growth, neurobehavioral issues, and low birth weight.

Conclusion

Air Pollution is a phenomenon where toxic components or pollutants get mixed up with atmospheric components and degrade the quality of life. Along with mild to serious diseases, it leads to a significant number of deaths annually. It is caused by both natural and manmade activities. While we cannot control natural phenomena that lead to air contamination, we can surely manage and contain manmade pollution.

FAQs

Q1. What is the unit of air pollution?

Ans. Air pollution is measured in terms of the concentration of a particular contaminant in the atmosphere. The S.I. unit of measuring the concentration of toxic components is micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) or parts per million (ppm).

Q2. What do you understand by the term Air Quality Index?

Ans. Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of air quality. A smaller value of AQI indicates cleaner air. It ranges from 0 to 500 degrees. It is measured on the basis of the concentration of six major pollutants namely particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead.

Q3. How is particulate matter classified?

Ans. Particulate matter is classified as PM 2.5 and PM10 based on the size of the pollutant. Particles that are smaller than 10 microns but larger than 2.5 microns fall under the PM10 category for e.g., pollen, molds, dust, etc. Particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns in size are categorized as PM2.5 for e.g. organic compounds, metals, etc.

Q4. What is a chronic disease?

Ans. Chronic disease refers to a health condition prevailing for a long period of time without being treated. It is more difficult to treat chronic diseases than acute ones.