Human Health effects of Air Pollution

By: Nadia Mehmood

The main change in the Atmospheric composition is primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuel used for the generation of energy and transportation. Variants air pollutants have been reported differing in their chemical composition reaction properties, emission and persistence in their environment ability to be transported in long and short distance and their impacts or human and animal health.

Pollution Categories: However they share some similarities and they can be group to four categories.

1. Gaseous pollutants ozone volatile organic compounds
2. Persistent organic pollutants e.g. dioxin
3. Heavy metals e.g. mercury etc.
4. Health effects

There are many effects on health as below:

 1: Respiratory system, numerous studies describe that all type of air pollution at high concentration can effects the airways, nevertheless, similar effects are absorbed with long term exposure to increase level of sulphuric oxide and nitrogen oxides.

2: Nervous system, the nervous system is mainly effected by heavy metals and dioxins. Neurotoxicity leading to neuropathic with symptoms such as memory disturbance sleep disorder anger, fatigue hand tremors etc.

3: Exposure during pregnancy, it is rather important to mention that air pollutants can also effected the developing fetus. Maternal exposure of spontaneous abortion and reduced fetal growth term delivery. They act as endocrine disruptors and effected growth and development of the central nervous system of the fetus. TCDD is considered as a development toxin in all species examined.

4: Digestive system, Dioxins induce liver cell damage as indicate by an increase in levels of certain enzymes in the blood as well as gastrointestinal and liver cancer.