There's Something in the Air!!

Air Pollution is a catch all phrase that embraces a range of pollutants, each generated from a different source and each with a potential to harm you, depending on your health profile.

 

The following pollutants have been identified as being potentially harmful

 

Particulates

Source: fuel combustion from road traffic, industrial processing, agriculture and wood burning stoves

Health hazards:  exacerbation of respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia; cause of cardiovascular disease and sudden infant death syndrome

 

Polycyclical aromatic hydrocarbons  (PAHs)

Source: motor vehicles, industrial processes and other processes incomplete combustion of organic compounds.

Health hazards: cardio-respiratory disease related to air pollution; cancer

 

Ozone

Source:  ozone pollution, or smog occurs at ground level when it mixes with nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – from power stations, cars, industrial plants and household activities – reacting with sunlight

Health hazards: irritates the respiratory tract and eyes; causes breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath, coughing wheezing(short term exposure). Children are especially vulnerable as their smaller lungs are less able to cope with higher ozone levels. high levels of ozone may also cause lasting damage to the developing fetus

 

Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, benzene and ammonia

Source:  various industrial, chemical, and agricultural processes.

Health hazards: respiratory and cardiovascular problems; increase risk of cancer; reduced birth weight if the mother is exposed to excessive amounts of carbon monoxide during pregnancy

 

Source of information:

What Doctors Don’t Tell You (WDDTY) Aug 2007