Air pollution is a major problem faced by people across the globe. A number of causes are related to the contamination of atmosphere. Polluted air leads to numerous health problems, ranging from the mild to the chronic ones. As far as human health is concerned, poor quality of air seriously affects the body's respiratory and cardiovascular system. The severity in diseases may depend upon the degree of exposure to polluted air.
Causes - Combustion of fuel is one of the major causes of air pollution in urban areas. Burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas and gasoline leads to the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases, which deteriorate the quality of air, making it polluted.
- Increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one of the prime causes of air pollution. Power plants, exhaust fumes of automobiles, airplanes and other human activities involving the burning of gasoline and natural gas are related to the emission of this greenhouse gas.
- The chlorofluorocarbons, a class of synthetic chemicals used in refrigerants , have caused hole in Earth's ozone layer. The use of this banned chemicals is related with the increasing levels of air pollution.
- Sulfur dioxide is one of the components of smog, which is related with contamination of the Earth's atmosphere. This synthetic chemical is the prime cause of acid rain.
- Air pollution is partially caused by the particulates formed by a variety of substances, such as dust, pollen and other organic materials.
- Increased road and air traffic is another reason related to the high level of air pollution.
Health Effects of Air Pollution - Asthma is a chronic disease common among children and adults. The shortness of breath, a prime symptom of this disease, can be triggered by pollutants present in the air, such as smog.
- Lung infections can occur when polluted air is inhaled. This can also lead to shortness of breath.
- Air pollution can also lead to lung cancer.
- Air pollution can result in blockage in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
- High level of pollution in the air can also lead to heart failure.
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2 Comments
An important knowledge base report.
Posted 06-01-2013 20:27
Thank you for sharing the information!
It is very important to understand that pollution is directly connected to our health problems.
Toxic gases can be the main reason of lung cancer of course.
And Asthma is not a romantic desease in the movies and dramas.
It is quiet a common desease usually triggered by air pollution.
So, you made a good point ^)
Posted 03-12-2012 17:18