Health Effects of Air Pollution

Air contamination could affect the climate, the environment, and tender-hearted wellness. Among these argonas, the wellness is the main focus of this paper (Thomson Scientific, 2005).Polluted halo whitethorn contain whizz or more hazardous substances that affect human race health. The bourne of metre for this is particulate theme or the number of particles of potentially hazardous substances as percentageage of aureole.This includes a wide range of pollutants. Examples of particulate matter includes pathway dust, diesel soot, fly ash, wood smoke, nitrates in fertilizers, sulfate aerosols, lead, and arsenic to chassis a few.The suggested Federal limit of an average of 50 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic foot of air in one year decimal point is considered poor air quality Gore, 2005).Health make of air pollution could be short-term or long-term. Effects will depend on the soulfulnesss sensitivity. When it comes to the extent of harm, it usually depends on the t otal exposure to prejudicious chemicals. Short-term effectuate may include simple symptoms such(prenominal) as headaches, na social functiona and allergic reactions.These symptoms could lead to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. There are also imp corresponding cases which could lead to upper respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. It may be short-term but the effects are distasteful and will need more medical attention. Air pollutants also demand long-term effects which include lung cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and heart disease.These effects could even damage the brain, nerves, liver or kidneys. According to the National Resources defence force Council, some 64,000 hoi polloi in the USA may be anxious(p) prematurely each year from cardiopulmonary causes linked to air pollution (Gore, 2005).The most affected people were the children, and the elderly. In addition, people with health problems such as asthma, hearth disease also suffer more when air is foul. In 1995 drive by the American Cancer Society and Harvard aesculapian School, air pollution government notes for about 300,000 premature deaths in USA each year (Gore, 2005).Children are one of the most affected by air pollution because they have not yet fully developed their resistant system. Simple cigarette smoke and smoke coming from exhausts of motor vehicles could be detrimental to them.Researchers have reported in their long study that children teenagers in Southern calcium were likely to have diminished lung function because of horrific air pollution. The study made by James Gauderman of University of Southern California and his colleagues was published in New England Journal of Medicine on 1,759 children ages 10 to 18 in a dozen Southern California communities.The study was concluded that the reason for the diminishing lung function came primarily from car exhaust. It was imbed out that 7.9 percent of the 18-year-olds in the risqueest pollution areas had lung capacities that were less than 80 percent of what they should have been.Among those subjected to the least- dirty air, 1.6 percent had underperforming lungs. It was also reported that there were similar effects when children live in the home of a mother who smokes. Estimated was half a million die prematurely every year in the fall in States as a result of smoking cigarettes (Gore, 2004).Just like children, elderly and people with health problems are most at risk in polluted air. As people grow older, they encounter more and more health problems which could be aggravated by air pollution. The exact impact may not be thoroughly understood but long term exposure may increase susceptibility to infections.Also to be taken into account is the duration of the exposure and concentration of the particulate matter in the air. It is estimated that polluted air shortened the lives by an average of one to two years. In the great Smog Disaster in London in 1952, quaternary thousand people died in few days due to high concentrations of pollution (Gore, 2005).There are many steps made to protect human health against air pollution. American Lung Association is very active and recommends the use of heat recovery breathing apparatus or an energy recovery ventilator remove stale polluted air (Gore, 2005).A treaty called Kyoto Protocol in 1997 entered as part of coupled Nations Framework Convention on modality Change made a great impact on simplification air pollution. The treaty aims to reduce emission of dangerous gases such as coulomb dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide by industrialized countries which affects the health of their citizens. One bill adopted in the treaty to reduce harmful discharges is creation of carbon emission (CO) credits.Those who failed to observe the restriction will be ordered to rear necessary equipment to reduce the air pollution under pain of severe financial sanction or buy (CO) credits.The credits are like ordinary commodities. They co uld sell to it to companies that find it difficult to comply with the emission restriction. If the grocery store value of the (CO) credit is higher than the cost of pollution reduction equipment, they will be forced to comply thus, reducing the air pollution that affects human health.According to reports, these (CO) credits are now being traded in the exchanges of Chicago clime Exchange in the US, European Climate Exchange in United Kingdom, Nord Pool in Norway and PowerNext in France. (Palabrica, 2007).ReferencesPalabrica, R. (2007). Trading on climate change, incorporated securities info.Philippine Daily Inquirer.Thomson Scientific (2005). Air pollution. Retrieved family 7, 2007 fromESI Special Topics. Retrieved on September 7, 2007 from http//esi-topics.com/airpolGore, P. (2005). Air pollution health effects. Retrieved August 7, 2007 from http//www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main.html