LECTURE 3 (Air pollution)

Question 1

By reducing air pollution, what diseases can countries reduce?

Answer 1

• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Lung cancer + acute. respiratory diseases
• Childhood cancers

Question 2

What are the effects of air pollution?

Answer 2

• It can create acid rain
• Depletion of the ozone layer increases the risk of skin cancer and cataracts
• Deaths from respiratory and heart disease
• Increase in carbon dioxide -> greenhouse effect/global warming

Question 3

What are the sources of air pollution?

Answer 3

• Industry & energy supply
• Transport
• Waste management
• Household energy
• Agricultural practices
• Dust

Question 4

Household air pollution is mostly created by what?

Answer 4

Using kerosene and solid fuels sung as wood with polluting stoves, open fires and lamps

Question 5

What are the main air pollutants?

Answer 5

• Particulate matter [industry, vehicle exhausts, dust storms, bushfires]
• Nitrogen dioxide [burning fuel, vehicle exhausts, power plants]
• Carbon monoxide [Incomplete burning of carbon]
• Sulphur dioxide [Burning of sulphur containing fuels]
• Lead [Car exhausts, metal + ore processing]
• Ozone

Question 6

What is PM?

Answer 6

Particulate matter

A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air which is the most visible form of air pollution

Question 7

What is more dangerous, small or large particles?

Answer 7

Small particles

Explanation: they can evade the body’s natural defences and penetrate deeply into the lungs, becoming a chronic source of irritation

Question 8

In which year did the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revise the standard so that small particles less than 10 micrometers were limited?

Answer 8

1987

ADDITIONAL INFO: In 1997 the EPA focused on even smaller particles

Question 9

What are the respiratory effects of common air pollutants?

Answer 9

SYMPTOMS:
- cough
- phlegm
- chest tightness
- wheezing
- shortness of breath

INCREASED SICKNESS/PREMATURE DEATH:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis (acute or chronic)
- Emphysema
- Pneumonia

DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DISEASE:
- Chronic bronchitis
- Premature ageing of lungs

Question 10

How do pollutants cause respiratory symptoms?

Answer 10

• Narrowing of airways -> decreased air flow
• Influx of white blood cells
• Abnormal mucous production
• Fluid accumulation and swelling (edema)
• Death and shedding of cells that line airways

Question 11

What are the cardiovascular effects of common air pollutants?

Answer 11

SYMPTOMS:
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain (angina)
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue

INCREASED SICKNESS/PREMATURE DEATH FROM:
- Coronary artery disease
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Congestive heart failure

Question 12

How do pollutants cause cardiovascular symptoms?

Answer 12

• Low oxygenation of RBCs
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Altered autonomic nervous system control of heart
• Increased risk of blood clot formation
• Narrowing of vessels (Vasoconstriction)
• Increased risk of atherosclerotic plaque rupture

Question 13

What are the strategies for meeting air pollution standards?

Answer 13

• Improve waste management
• Build safe and affordable public transport systems
• Energy-efficient power generation
• Provide universal access to clean, affordable fuels