Your Health and the Effects of Air Pollution
Your health suffers from air pollution, and the effects of air pollution on health vary depending on your location and environmental conditions, and on the source of the problem. The severity of these effects depend somewhat on the level and length of your exposure to the air pollutants. The effects of air pollution on health are a complex branch of medicine, and can be long term and subtle.
When the air is bad -- really bad, like you can see it -- I contract bronchitis. I hate my health issues and the effects of air pollution. Though you may not be as susceptible to air pollution, it still has effects on your health. Take precautions, and change your lifestyle so you don't contribute to air pollution.
Children suffer most and seem to feel the effects of air pollution on health more keenly than adults. They get more ear and sinus infections, and they suffer asthma and bronchitis more in areas of high air pollution.
People with other health issues, and the elderly, feel the effects of poor air quality with less efficient pulmonary function than healthy and younger people. Part of the problem is their lungs are less capable of expelling air pollutants, so they are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
Reactions vary, but the effects of air pollution on health include irritation to your throat, lungs, and eyes. You may notice burning in your throat, tightness in your chest, or unusual coughing spells. Outdoor exercise aggravates the problem because your breath rate is increased bringing more air pollution into your lungs. People with angina, asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), or emphysema should avoid exercise and other strenuous activity during high pollution alert days and periods of high ground-level ozone readings.
Air pollution is typically comprised of gas emissions and particulates from various vehicles and internal-combustion machinery in the city. While in rural areas air pollution is mostly comprised of dust and chemicals from dirt roads, sprayed and plowed fields, smoke from agricultural and forest burns, and rock quarrying.
A major air pollutant in urban areas is ground-level ozone which forms when fuel combustion products are exposed to sunlight. Ozone levels in cities are at their worst when the sun is bright and temperatures are warm, and the air is still. That's another time to stay indoors, especially with good air filters to help reduce the ozone that seeps into your home or office.
Fumes from industrial action, like from chemicals used in manufacturing, metalworking, and other processes can contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), have maybe the most severe effects on your health. Heavy metals such as beryllium, cadmium, and lead are other forms of air pollution that can also have negative effects on health. Chronic bronchitis is caused and exacerbated by caustic and acidic chemicals used in many industrial processes. Particulate matter from concrete and wood dust, asbestos, and other sources can contribute to a variety of problems to your lungs, like cancer. Industrial air pollution seems to be most insidious with your health.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has thousands of monitoring stations around the U.S., and conducts regular inspections of significant sources of air pollution such as factories and power plants. It monitors, reports, and strives to control air pollution levels in the country. The EPA has been given the authority and power to fine those who contribute to excessive air pollution releases, and take polluters to court to assess civil and criminal penalties. U.S. air quality has vastly improved over the past 20 years, thanks to the efforts of the EPA.
Your health risks are high if you live in an area of high pollution. The effects of air pollution on your health should be taken seriously. The causes of air pollution should be taken seriously too, and changes in your lifestyle made to reduce your air pollution contributions and improve your health risks.
