LECTURE 3 (Air pollution) Flashcards
By reducing air pollution, what diseases can countries reduce?
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer + acute. respiratory diseases
- Childhood cancers
What are the effects of air pollution?
- 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
What are the sources of air pollution?
- Industry & energy supply
- Transport
- Waste management
- Household energy
- Agricultural practices
- Dust
Household air pollution is mostly created by what?
Using kerosene and solid fuels sung as wood with polluting stoves, open fires and lamps
What are the main air pollutants?
- 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
What is PM?
Particulate matter
A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air which is the most visible form of air pollution
What is more dangerous, small or large particles?
Small particles
Explanation: they can evade the body’s natural defences and penetrate deeply into the lungs, becoming a chronic source of irritation
In which year did the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revise the standard so that small particles less than 10 micrometers were limited?
1987
ADDITIONAL INFO: In 1997 the EPA focused on even smaller particles
What are the respiratory effects of common air pollutants?
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
How do pollutants cause respiratory symptoms?
- 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
What are the cardiovascular effects of common air pollutants?
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
How do pollutants cause cardiovascular symptoms?
- 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
What are the strategies for meeting air pollution standards?
- Improve waste management
- Build safe and affordable public transport systems
- Energy-efficient power generation
- Provide universal access to clean, affordable fuels
