Air Pollution And Health
The nature of air pollution has changed over the past 40 years. Emissions of smoke and sulphur dioxide associated with smogs of the past have declined, while the proportion of pollution from vehicles has increased. The health effects of air pollution are still, however, significant.
Health effects are the primary reason for work to improve air quality. In order to be able to assess the effect of air pollutants on health, accurate measurement of personal and population exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution is necessary. Also, the response of individuals to air pollutants varies widely. Other factors such as smoking, pet ownership and diet may influence the incidence of respiratory disease such as asthma.
Health Effects of Air Pollutants
The table below shows the effects of several common air pollutants:
| Pollutant | Observed effects on asthma sufferers |
| Allergens (tree and grass pollen) | Pollens can trigger an allergic response in the airways of susceptible asthmatics, causing inflammation and consequent narrowing. At high concentrations air pollutants can enhance the effect of some pollens. Air pollution may also affect the concentration of pollens |
| Sulphur dioxide (SO2) coal burning | Causes narrowing of the airways of asthma sufferers, through the immune response of the airway to the irritant. |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) vehicles and industry | Respiratory irritant. Highest NOx exposures are in the home. |
| Ozone (O3) (formed from nitrogen oxides in sunlight) | Causes inflammation and consequent narrowing of the airways after short exposure and can increase response to irritants. Asthma symptoms can be exacerbated. |
| Particles (PM10 and PM2.5) | Long-term exposure to particles (especially PM2.5) is associated with premature mortality, especially from heart and lung conditions. Recent studies have also suggested that high levels of PM2.5 in childhood can permanently impair lung function. High levels of particles can affect asthma sufferers. |
| Air Pollution Episodes (periods of exceptionally high pollution levels) | Air pollution episodes are thought to trigger asthma attacks and other allergic reactions in many people. It is not thought however that long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution causes asthma itself.
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