W10 - Smoke & Pollution Flashcards
Understand air quality as a metric
Determined by • The amount of solid particles and pollutants
• Most pollutants stem from human activity: • Car exhaust fumes
• Coal-burning power
• Toxic fumes from factories
How is air quality Measured?
via a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM)
• It measures Total suspended particulates (TSP) and measures them up to to 100 micrometre diameter (PM10) and even smaller PM2.5
What are the major types of pullutants?
• Ground levelo zone • Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Carbon monoxide
• Particulate matter (PM10/2.5) - coverall matter for all other particles eg pollen
What is ground level ozone and how is it formed?
• Ground level O3 is created by chemical reactions (NOx and Volatile Organic Compunds (VOC’s))
• Most common sources (VOCs): factories, vehicles, fuel vapour, chemical solvents
• Levels are increased with hot, sunny weather (1-3pm spike)
• Exacerbated by climate change: global warming
What is Sulfur Dioxide and how is it formed?
• from the Sulfur oxide family (pungent odour)
• Originates from raw materials including Coal, oil, metal ores
• Released upon combustion or refinement
• When it evaporates/becomes water vapour (humidity): creates sulfuric acid and sulphate which Irritates eyes, mucosa, skin, and respiratory tract
What is Nitrogen Oxide and how is it formed?
• Contributes to haze
• Released with combustion: engines, but also volcanoes and fires
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) major respiratory irritant
What is Carbon Monoxide and how is it formed?
• Product of incomplete combustion (insufficient oxygen)
• Colourless,odourless,highly poisonous
• Sources include cars, wood heaters, forest fires, wood industry.
What is Particulate Matter and how is it formed?
• A mix of solid and liquid particles/droplets e.g.Acids,organic chemicals, metals, pollen, soil, dust, and carbon. Can be PM10, 2.5 and 0.1 and can have relative densities of each (relative to the air). • Majority form in the atmosphere including SO2 and NOx
What is an Air Quality Index?
• The amount/concentration of pollutants present in the air at a given location - can vary from one country to another. Measured by BOM, and though each state territory governs itself but there is a National Clean Air Agreement
How does Ground Level Ozone affect our physiology?
• Most affected organs: Lungs, respiratory tract
• Causes: • Stimulation of bronchoconstrictors (hypothesis)• Genetics
• Symptoms: Coughing, sore throat, pain on inspiration, and laboured breathing
• Exposure:
• Worsen symptoms of respiratory disease
• Increased frequency of asthma attacks
• Decreased utility of asthma medications
• Alters breathing patterns during exercise
How does Sulfur Dioxide affect our physiology?
Most affected organs: Lungs, respiratory tract
• Cause: Irritation and inflammation of the mucosa (bronchoconstriction)
• Exposure: Exacerbated symptoms in asthmatics • Further compounded by exercise. Also irritates eyes. mucous membranes and skin
How does Nitrogen Dioxide affect our physiology?
• Most affected organs: Lungs, respiratory tract
• Cause: Irritation/ inflammation (bronchoconstriction) & Nitric acid formation/tissue damage
• Acute exposure: Coughing, wheezing, and laboured breathing
• Chronic or prolonged exposure:
• Elevated NO2 serum levels
• Asthma pathogenesis (development)
• Increased risk of respiratory infections
How does Carbon Monoxide affect our physiology?
• Once inhaled, forms carboxyhaemoglobin (CO diffusion)
• Most affected organs: Heart and CNS
Cause:
• Stimulation of the CNS through chemoreceptors (hypothesis)
• Greater affinity for CO than O2
• Reduced capacity for O2 transport
• Reduced oxygenation of tissues
Outcomes:
• Cardiac output = reduced
• VO2 = reduced
• Ventilation increased
Symptoms:
• Vertigo, fatigue, headaches, drowsiness, weakness, disorientation, irritability, nausea, convulsions, and coma
How does Particulate Matter affect our physiology?
• Most affected organs: • Lungs & Heart • Cause:
• Diffusion of particulate matter through lungs
• Symptoms: Wheezing, reduced lung function, oxidative stress, reduced cognition, increased HR and BP
How does Ground Force Ozone affect exercise performance?
With exercise, more susceptible to:
• arrhythmia, myocardial infarction (HA), and heart failure
Symptoms increase with:
a) Exercise intensity
b) Number/size of particulates
Continuous rather than intermittent exercise exacerbates symptoms • Marathon v sprint
Effects compounded by heat (hot, sunny days) • Increased levels of heat/ultraviolet rays
Performance:
• Reduced exercise time, workload, oxygen consumption, and maximal performance
