AIR POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECT ON LUNG HEALTH

Air pollution is a significant health risk factor all over the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is defined as “the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gases, fog, odour or vapour in quantities or with characteristics, and of a duration that may be detrimental to human, animal, or plant life, to property or that interferes unfavourably in the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.”

Pollution of all the kinds have negative effects on the environment and wildlife and it has an immense impact on human health, animal’s health and flora and fauna too. Pollutants which are of major concern are heavy metals, acid rain, persistent organic pollutants and other toxic substances.

Major classification of kind of pollution are

• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Land pollution

COMPOSITION OF AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution is a mixture of thousands of air pollutants. These include solid and liquid particles suspended in air and different types of gases such as ozone(O3), nitrogen oxides (NO2), and carbon monoxide.

The main process that causes air pollution is due to the combustion of fossil fuels which is used in cars, marine vessels, other engines, as well as industry, power plants.

HOW AIR POLLUTION AFFECTS THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

There are several mechanisms suggesting the adverse effects of air pollutants. The most consistent pathophysiology suggests that once the pollutants come in contact with the respiratory epithelium, higher concentrations of oxidants a pro-oxidant in environmental pollutants induce oxidative stress in the airways. When these free radicals are not neutralized by the antioxidant defences it initiates an inflammatory response of the inflammatory cells and mediators which has negative effects on respiratory system causing systemic effects.

SUSCEPTIBLE GROUPS

The most susceptible groups include

• Children
• Elderly persons
• Individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases
• Genetic susceptibility
• Pregnant women

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The respiratory symptoms caused due to air pollution include nasal obstruction, cough, laryngospasm, vocal cord dysfunction and Rhinorrhoea. The exposure is associated with increase in cough and wheezing in adults with chronic lung disease.

AIR POLLUTION AND LUNG CANCER

The effects of exposure to pollutants and development of lung cancer, which is attributed to direct action of carcinogens present in pollution and to chronic inflammation induced by such carcinogens. Air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer incidence by 20%- 30%.

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS DUE TO AIR POLLUTION

Most of the pollutants enter the body through the airways, the respiratory system is the first line of defence in the onset and progression of diseases resulting from air pollutants. In the upper respiratory tract, the fist effect seen is irritation in the trachea. Air pollutants and other respirable chemicals like dust, o3, benzene cause serious damage to the respiratory tract.

Asthma is a respiratory disease which develops due to air pollutants. Other respiratory disorder includes COPD which occurs due mainly industrial air pollution.

POLLUTION AND COPD

Patients with COPD are particularly vulnerable to the additional stress on the airways caused by the pollutants. Exposure to air pollution is associated with an increase in respiratory morbidity from COPD, including an increase in respiratory symptoms and decrease in pulmonary function.

POLLUTION CONTROL

Specific means of pollution control includes refuse disposal systems such as sanitary landfills, emission control systems for automobiles, sedimentation tanks in sewerage systems, the electrostatic precipitation of impurities from industrial gases, and practice of recycling.

Other ways to control include

• Energy conservation- large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Use of energy efficient devices such as CFLs also help control pollution, also conserve energy.
• Use of clean energy resources
• Minimising and reducing use of fire and fire products
• Fuel substitution
• Dilution of air pollutants