What's in This Article: Polluted air causes an increase in respiratory diseases in humans. For example; It is known that lead prevents t...
Polluted air causes an increase in respiratory diseases in humans. For example; It is known that lead prevents the development and maturation of blood cells, accumulates in blood and urine and negatively affects health, and carbon monoxide (CO) combines with hemoglobin in the blood and disrupts oxygen transport. However, sulfur dioxide (SO2) has sharp, suffocating and irritating effects on the upper respiratory tract. In particular, smoke penetrates from the lungs to the alveoli and has a negative effect. Additionally, sulfur dioxide and ozone are harmful to plants; In particular, ozone causes crop losses and damages forests.
It has been determined that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 5% as a result of fossil fuels used in industry, industry and heating, as well as the destruction of forests and land change. It is predicted that this may lead to global warming.
Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health
There has been evidence showing the effects of air pollution on human health since the 1950s. In the late 1980s and 1990s, new epidemiological studies showed the effects of air pollution on health. These studies were first conducted in the USA and European countries, and later similar studies in many other countries showed that health was negatively affected. In these studies, the relationship between health indicators such as deaths and hospital admissions and the concentration of pollutants in the air was sought, and it was determined that both increased or decreased together. While examining the effects of air pollution, it has been observed that outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution have different effects on human health.
Outdoor Air Pollution: Outdoor air pollution; It causes discharge from the back of the nose, cough, sneezing, sinusitis, breathing difficulties, chronic cough, voice problems (especially chronic hoarseness and laryngitis) and headache. Asthma patients are particularly at risk. This pollution can also cause a phenomenon called Acid Rain, which ends life in lakes and rivers, destroys forests, and destroys seeds. Outdoor air pollution is mostly caused by burning oil, gasoline and coal. More than 50% is made by automobile exhausts. This rate is still valid despite anti-pollution devices and unleaded gasoline in automobiles. Pollution is increasing. Because an average of 19 million new vehicles enter the traffic every year. The main smog compounds emitted from automobiles are ozone and carbon monoxide.
In 1986, more than 96 residential areas were found to be dangerous in ozone safety measurements made by the American Environmental Protection Agency. Carbon monoxide standards were exceeded in 41 regions.
Indoor Air Pollution: Most Americans spend 80% of their time indoors. This period increases in the elderly and children. Gas, oil, coal, wood stoves, fireplaces, asbestos, daron, formaldehyde, lead and tobacco are pollutants of indoor air.
It was proven years ago that the risk of cancer increases with smoking. Moreover, using tobacco impairs blood flow and increases the risk of heart attack. It also causes diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema. The relationships between children and passive smokers and lung cancer, respiratory infections and otitis media have been medically proven. Laws have been proposed to ban smoking on airplanes, in public places, and in workplaces. The greatest responsibility for all individuals to live in smoke-free environments falls on us, physicians. Additionally, nationwide campaigns should be organized to educate people.
Our sense of taste and smell can be damaged by chemicals and waste in our environment. The decrease in smell and taste suppresses our appetite and prevents us from smelling the smells of flowers and food. It can prevent us from filtering the air and removing toxins.
Daily increases in air pollutants cause various acute health problems. For example, an increase in pollutant concentration leads to an increase in asthma attacks. Chronic health effects occur with long-term exposure to pollutants. Studies conducted in the USA and the Netherlands have determined that the lifespan of people living in areas with air pollution is 1-2 years shorter than those living in areas without pollution. It is estimated that 500,000 people die annually due to particulate matter and sulfur dioxide in the air in developing countries alone.
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