Air pollution
risk factors
Risk Pathway
health outcomes
Household pollution
short term effects --> temporary
Sulfur dioxide
PAH(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) could cause lung cancer
Fine and ultrafine particulate matters enter the airway
long term effects --> chronic, lasting for years or the whole life and can even lead to death
air pollutants
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
nitrogen oxide, No2
ozone
more serious: asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, lung problems, headaches, nausea, and dizziness, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infracts, and heart insufficiency
toxicity of several air pollutants may induce a variety of cancers
simple discomfort, such as eye irritations, nose, skin, throat, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, breathing difficulties
supplementary risk in case of existing respiratory disease (e.g. asthma)
harmful to the neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems and causes cancer and even death
sulfur dioxide, So2
Sources of exposure
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
dioxins
Lower extent (field cultivation techniques, gas stations, fuel tank heaters)
Majority caused by large-scale human activities (80% of today`s pollution) cars, industrial machinery, power-producing stations)
Carbon monoxide, CO
CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO3
Long-term effects from traffic, industrial air pollution, and combustion of fuels are the major factors for COPD risk
Multiple cardiovascular effects, Coronary arteriosclerosis,
Ventricle hypertrophy (nitrogen oxide exposure)
Ozone impact
Neurological effects
Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs)
Psychological complications, autism, retinopathy, and low birth weight
Ozone affects the upper layer of the skin and tear ducts. Depletion of Vitamin C and E
heavy metals
lead
birthweight, maternal smoking, genetic background and socioeconomic environment, as well as education level, diet, starting from breast-feeding --> define vulnerability
Natural sources
impact on the immune system, causing dysfunction and neuroinflammatio, impact on antigen presentation
Nitrogen dixode
Traffic-related pollutant as it is emitted from automobile motor engines. It penetrates deep into the lung. This induces respiratory diseases, wheezing etc. It is also shown that this affects crop yield. NO2 could also reduce visibility
skin: pigmented spots on our skin, skin aging, psoriasis, acne, urticaria, eczema, and atopic dermatitis , skin cancer
Carbon Monoxide(CO)
Produced when fuel combustion is incomplete. The affinity of CO in blood is much higher than that of oxygen which makes it easier for poisoning. Symptoms if poisoning include nausea, headache, dizziness, weakness etc.
Formed in the atmosphere as a result of chemical reactions between the different pollutants. Particulate matter contain small droplets that are inhaled easily and affect the health
clima change
living in large urban areas
fast industrial development: danger of industrial accident
developing countries: overpopulation and uncontrolled urbanization
low incomes
indoor air pollution: wood fuel or solid fuel,
living in cold climate
fast industrial development and overpopulation, rise in use of motorcycle transportation
being female: COPD
respiratory disease: children under 5 years of age