Air Pollution and Health Status!
Jordan Darr 4/12/15
IF WE DON'T START NOW IT WILL BE TO LATE!
What is Air Pollution?
The introduction of particles, biological substances, or other harmful materials into earths atmosphere, causing disease, death to humans, damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or the environment.
Effects on humans
Air pollutants can be in the form of matter which can be very harmful to our health. The level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, also the kind and concentration of chemicals. Short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Others include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of people with asthma and emphysema. Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease , lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. A lot of exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and could complicate medical conditions in the elderly.
Statistics
There are vehicles other than public transportation buses that cause air pollution. As Delaney et al. stated in their article, “Transit industry gears up and responds to climate challenges”, most of land transportation vehicle emissions - 85% - belong to personal automobiles (2009)
Statistics about commuting, the mortality rate, due to air pollution, is 50,000 deaths per year in the United States, (Palmgren et al., 2003)
Soll-Johanning et al. found an increased risk of 25% for cancer, a 60% increase for men and a 160% increase for women who were exposed to air pollution for long periods of time, (1998)