Air pollution is one of the biggest global threats to human health as it endangers the lives of millions of people across the globe. Ranging from air that is polluted in cities to dust and mold indoors, Breathing in contaminated air is hazardous to lung health. In this article, the author describes the ways in which pollution influences the lungs, the diseases it can provoke, or worsen, and the ways to minimize the threat.
Types of Air Pollution
Air pollution comes in various forms, and each type can have different effects on lung health:
- Ozone (O3): Ozone which is a type of smog is formed when pollutants from cars and industries combine with sunlight at ground level. Ozone is bad for the health of the respiratory system, it can irritate the airways and trigger respiratory diseases.
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): NO2 in the air is produced from vehicle’s exhaust and industrial processes and can damage the respiratory system and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Burning fossil fuels produces SO2 which is a pulmonary irritant that can lead to bronchoconstriction and makes asthmatic patients’ condition worse.
The Effects of Pollutants on the Lungs
Once pollutants get into the lungs they can cause a number of adverse impacts. The intensity of these effects varies according to the type of the pollutant, the time of exposure, and other individual factors including age, previous or current lung diseases, and the general state of health.
Inflammation of the Airways: Ozone and nitrogen dioxide for instance irritate the airways making it difficult to breathe. This is quite alarming especially for those people with asthmatic complications since the air is polluted.
Reduced Lung Function: Particulate matter has been found to cause a decline in lung capacity when the exposure is in the long-term, especially among children as well as the elderly. This can cause it to become slightly challenging to carry out the physical activities with ease and without getting tired easily.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Smoking and industrial emission of pollutants may cause lung diseases which include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); this comprises emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The lung tissue gets affected by the air pollutants and results in chronic respiratory diseases. You can get treatment by visiting a pulmonologist.
Increased Risk of Respiratory Infections: The air that is filled with pollutants is not healthy as it suppresses the immune system and makes people more vulnerable to respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. These infections affect children and the elderly most of the time.
Lung Cancer: Prolonged exposure to the air pollutants that include particulate matter and carcinogenic pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde elevate the chances of getting lung cancer. Also, people who do not smoke may also be at increased risk if they are in environments with polluted air.
Vulnerable Populations
Certain groups are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution on lung health:Certain groups are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution on lung health:
- Children: Lungs of young people are more sensitive, and children breathe more air per their body weight than adults, also, they are exposed to more pollution.
- Elderly: People of advanced age are more vulnerable to the negative impact of pollution, for instance, on their lungs and heart.
- People with Respiratory Conditions: Asthma, COPD and other chronic lung diseases sufferers are more vulnerable to poor air quality and the condition may cause or exacerbate their symptoms.
- Urban Residents: This is because the pollution levels are high in cities due to traffic, emissions from industries and construction works.
Indoor Air Pollution
Even though there is more focus on outdoor air pollution, indoor air also has a lot of effects on the health of the lungs. Some of the common indoor pollutants include tobacco smoke, mold, pet dander, dust mite and chemicals from cleaning agents; these pollutants can cause chronic respiratory diseases especially in poorly ventilated rooms.
Conclusion
Pollution of the air is a major threat to the health of lungs and can lead to respiratory diseases and illnesses. There are measures you can take to avoid being exposed to pollutants as well as backing policies that seek to decrease pollution in order to safeguard your lungs and breathe better. As for people with higher risks, it is crucial to consult a pulmonologist in Islamabad and check the air situation to preserve one’s lung health in the future.
