Pollution and Health

The onset of industrial revolution saw a steady change in the composition of the atmosphere mainly caused by the combustion of fossil fuels used for the generation of energy.

Air pollution is a major environmental health problem affects both the developing and the developed countries equally. The effects of air pollution on health can even prove to be fatal. It is not that air pollution attacks the cities only but the indoor air pollution in the rural and the urban areas are causing concern. Air pollutants inhaled have serious impact on human health affecting the lungs and the respiratory system.

Health impact of air pollutants:

• Tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke emits harmful chemicals and is a major cause of all respiratory problems and cancer.
• Biological pollutants: These can cause asthma, hay fever, and other allergic diseases.
• Volatile organic compounds: These can cause irritation of the eye, nose and throat, headaches, nausea, and loss of coordination.
• Formaldehyde: Irritation to the eyes, nose and allergies.

• Lead: Damage to the nervous system, digestive problems, and cancer.
• Radon: Risk of lung cancer.
• Ozone: Eyes may itch, burn, and water, increases respiratory disorders like asthma and lowers resistance to colds and pneumonia.
• Oxides of nitrogen: Respiratory diseases in the winters.
• Carbon monoxide: CO (carbon monoxide) combines with hemoglobin to lower the amount of oxygen that enters our blood through our lungs. It affects the brain and the cardiovascular system, and also the developing fetus.
• Sulphur dioxide: SO2 (sulphur dioxide) leads to diseases of the lung and other lung disorders such as wheezing and shortness of breath.