Air Pollution

Most of us do not think about or are worried about air pollution. The Canadian Health Ministry is spending a large amount of money on protecting the environment from air pollution. Every citizen of this country should be aware of air pollution as the environment can be destroyed by it.

Air is the substance that we breathe. Air supplies us with oxygen which is essential for our bodies to live. Air is 99.9% nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour and inert gases. Human activities release substances into the air, some of which can cause problems for humans, plants, and animals.

There are several main types of pollution and well-known effects of this pollution which are commonly known. These include smog, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and “holes” in the ozone layer. Each of these problems have very serious implications for our health and well-being, as well as for the whole environment.

One type of pollution is the release of particles into the air from burning fuel for energy. Diesel smoke is a good example of this particulate matter. The particles are very small pieces of matter measuring about 2.5 microns or about .0001 inches. This type of pollution is sometimes referred to as “black carbon” pollution. The exhaust from burning fuel in automobiles, homes and industries is a major source of pollution in the air. Some authorities believe that even the burning of wood and charcoal in fireplaces and barbeques can release significant quantities of soot into the air.

Another type of pollution is the release of noxious gases, such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and chemical vapours. These can take part in further chemical reactions once they are in the atmosphere, forming smog and acid rain.

Pollution also needs to be considered inside our homes, offices, and schools. Some of these pollutants can be created by indoor activities such as smoking and cooking.

How can air pollution hurt our health? Air pollution affects our health in many ways with both short-term and long-term effects. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. Some individuals are much more sensitive to pollutants than are others. Young children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution. People with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung diseases may also suffer more when the air is polluted. The extent to which an individual is affected by air pollution usually depends on the total exposure to the damaging effects of it, i.e. the duration of exposure and the concentration of chemicals must be taken into account.
Examples of short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, plus upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with asthma and emphysema. In the great “smog disaster” in London, UK in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentration of pollution.

Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and many aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly. It is estimated that half a million people die prematurely each year in the United States as a result of smoking cigarettes.
Research into the health effects of air pollution is ongoing. Medical conditions arising from air pollution can be very expensive. Healthcare costs, lost productivity in the workplace, and human welfare impacts cost millions of dollars each year.

As a reformer, please wake up and think about air pollution and cooperate with air pollution reducing activities with your friends; protect yourself and other from various types of new diseases. Otherwise death and sickness will be prevalent in the world in these last days.
Amen

Xavior Chelliah, Canada