“Pollution and it’s harmful effects on the body”

Since we share everything on Earth with every living thing on the planet, what happens in one area affects everything too, no matter how far away. Pollution or the introduction of different forms of waste materials in our environment has negative effects to the ecosystem we rely on.

There are many kinds of pollution, but the ones that have the most impact to us are Air and Water pollution.

Diseases Caused by Air Pollution

although air pollutants get in our bodies through the respiratory tract and lungs, they could get absorbed in our bloodstream and circulate affecting various other parts and organs. The effects of air pollution involve a large variety of illnesses, starting with the simple irritation of eyes, nose mouth and throat or reduced energy levels, headache and dizziness, but also involving more serious conditions of which the most common are:

• Breathing polluted air puts you at a higher risk for asthma and other respiratory diseases
• When exposed to ground ozone for 6 to 7 hours, scientific evidence show that healthy people’s lung function decreased and they suffered from respiratory inflammation.
• When exposed to ground ozone for 6 to 7 hours, scientific evidence show that healthy people’s lung function decreased and they suffered from respiratory inflammation.
• Air pollutants are mostly carcinogens and living in a polluted area can put people at risk of Cancer.
• Coughing and wheezing are common symptoms observed on city folks.
• Damages the immune system, endocrine and reproductive systems.
• High levels of particle pollution have been associated with higher incidents of heart problems.
• The burning of fossil fuels and the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are causing the Earth to become warmer.
• The toxic chemicals released into the air settle into plants and water sources. Animals eat the contaminated plants and drink the water. The poison then travels up the food chain – to us.
• Air pollution consists of solid particles and gases. It has to be mentioned that
• Respiratory and lung diseases including:
• Asthma attacks
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease –COPD
• Reduced lung function
• Pulmonary cancer – caused by a series of carcinogen chemicals that through inhalation
• Mesothelioma – a particular type of lung cancer, usually associated with exposure to asbestos (it usually occurs 20-30 years after the initial exposure)
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Leukemia – a sort of blood cancer usually associated to exposure of benzene vapors (through inhalation)
• Birth defects and immune system defects
• Cardiovascular problems, heart diseases and stroke: Second hand smoke has been shown to increase the incidence of heart diseases, and carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are also contributors. Air pollution has been shown to cause heart disease as air pollutants enter into the lungs and seep into the blood vessels, producing an inflammatory response and raising heart rate (an increased risk especially due to particulate matter)
• Liver and other types of cancer – caused by breathing carcinogenic volatile chemicals
• Neurobehavioral disorders - neurological problems and developmental deficits due to air toxins such as mercury (which is the only volatile metal in elemental form)
• Premature death

How Pollution Affects the Environment

Water Pollution Effects Just like the air we breathe, water is vital to our survival. We need clean water to drink, to irrigate our crops and the fish we eat live in the waters. We play in rivers, lakes and streams – we live near bodies of water. It’s a precious resource that can easily be polluted and the contamination can be transferred to us and affect our health.

• Diseases such as amoebiasis, typhoid and hookworm are caused by polluted drinking water.
• Water polluted by chemicals such as heavy metals, lead, pesticides and hydrocarbon can cause hormonal and reproductive problems, damage to the nervous system, liver and kidney damage and cancer – to name a few. Being exposed to mercury causes Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and death.
• A polluted beach causes rashes, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, encephalitis, stomach aches and vomiting.

Asthma

Asthma is a disease that may be caused by air pollution. asthma is a chronic, occasionally debilitating inflammatory disease of the airways that may be caused by air pollution from cars, factories or power plants. The air pollutants are common triggers of asthma: ground level ozone, sulfur dioxide, fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxide. Another important trigger for asthma attacks is environmental or secondhand tobacco smoke.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or COPD is a disease that may be caused by air pollution.

You should avoid driving in highly congested areas, especially during rush hour when cars are backed up on the highways. If you can’t travel when there are fewer cars on the road, try to take less-traveled alternate routes. If you spend a lot of time indoors, take steps to keep the air you breathe at home clean. Here are ways to improve your indoor air quality and your lung health:

Don’t allow smoking inside the home. You may have stopped smoking because of COPD, but maybe other family members haven’t. Second-hand smoke can be just as harmful when you have COPD. Make it a rule: No smoking in your home or near you.

Clean and check your furnace regularly. Be sure your furnace is working properly and not putting soot into the air. If you have a gas heater, make sure the pilot light is working correctly — the flame should be burning blue, not yellow or orange. Avoid using wood- or coal-burning stoves and fireplaces. They create dust and fumes that can be irritants for people with COPD.

Use pumps rather than aerosol sprays. Deodorants, hair sprays and stylers, and room disinfectants in spray cans can give off fumes that irritate your lungs. Opt for those that come in pump bottles.

Use natural products. Furniture polish, bathroom cleaners, and mildew removers can contain bleach, pneumonia, and other harsh chemicals that can irritate already inflamed lungs. Choose natural cleaners or have someone else clean and make sure you leave the room until the fumes have dissipated.

Go fragrance-free.Not everyone with COPD is irritated by strong scents, Leone says, "but if strong fragrances make you symptomatic, avoid them.”

Ventilate cooking areas. Some people with COPD may be sensitive to fumes from cooking, especially those from a charcoal or gas grill. It helps to ventilate your cooking area, or, if you’re really sensitive, let others cook for you.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease that may be caused by air pollution.

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