Air Pollution's Effects on Our Health

Air pollution is an important issue in today's world. Everyone is affected, from children to the elderly, so it is important to know what kinds of pollutants are in the air and where they come from. These pollutants can just as easily be inside your home as out, so knowing what effects they might have on your environment and your body is a step in the right direction toward a healthy life.

Most Common Pollutants

Some of the major pollutants in our air are carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and is not harmful in the proper quantities. It traps heat from the sun in our atmosphere and without it, Earth would be icy and cold. But too much of it makes the planet too hot, melting the polar ice caps, and disrupting the planet's delicate climate. Nitrogen oxides come from burning fuels either in your car or from power plants burning coal, oil, and natural gas. Nitrogen oxides cause lung irritation and can inhibit your immune system from fighting diseases that affect your lungs. Carbon monoxide renders your bloodstream ineffective at carrying oxygen throughout your body, causing dizziness, confusion, headaches, nausea, and even death.

Acid Rain

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NO) are byproducts of burning fossil fuels. When these gases react with water and oxygen in the atmosphere, sulfuric and nitric acids are made. Acid rain causes damage to our forests, soils, and even to concrete and wooden structures. Though acid rain doesn't directly impact human health, it does impact the environment around us. And the chemicals that cause acid rain do cause or worsen respiratory problems like asthma.

Ozone

Ozone (O3) is both helpful and harmful to humans, depending on where it is in the atmosphere. In the lower atmosphere, ozone can enter the lungs, causing coughing, choking, asthma, and lowered immune response to respiratory infections. In the upper atmosphere, however, ozone is critical in blocking harmful UV rays from the sun. Bad ozone in the lower atmosphere is caused by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs are most commonly caused by gasoline vapors and chemical solvents. Good ozone in the upper atmosphere is being depleted through the use of CFCs and HCFCs. Less ozone in the upper atmosphere increases risk of skin cancer due to exposure to UV rays.

Indoor Pollutants

Indoor pollutants can be just as harmful as outdoor pollutants and can be causes of serious health problems. There are some we think about on a daily basis, like pollen, pet dander, pet hair, dust, and tobacco smoke. But there are some less obvious sources that can cause health problems as well. Formaldehyde is found in particle board (used in furniture and cabinetry) as well as in gas-burning stoves, and can cause burning eyes, nausea, and respiratory problems. Household cleaning products, paint, fuels, and even cosmetics can release harmful pollutants into the air with health effects ranging from respiratory irritation to memory impairment.

Tobacco Products

Radon is found in uranium and phosphate mines and is a byproduct of coal combustion. It is a cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and, according to the EPA, combining cigarette smoke and radon poses an increased risk of serious health issues. Cigarette smoke is considered an indoor and outdoor pollutant and contains known carcinogens like benzene as well as DDT, arsenic and methane. Prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke, even if you're a non-smoker, increases your risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases like emphysema.