Neidalina Ortiz
Everest Online
December 28, 2013
It would be natural to think that microscopic particles in polluted air would do damage to one 's lungs, nose and throat. However, recent research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association has reported that such particles can in fact negatively affect the ability of the heart in people with serious coronary artery disease to conduct electrical signals.
Air pollution is caused when air in the atmosphere is filled with particulate matter.
The largest source air of pollution in cities is from vehicle exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is the largest air pollutant in the United States, and it’s number one source is from vehicle exhausts. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, odorless, colorless gas that is formed when burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. Filters that are not changed regularly in your air conditioning units will accumulate dirt and cause the spread of pollutants in the air you breathe inside your home. Chemicals and toxic pollutants likes’ sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide react with water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acid rain. These pollutants come from factories, automobiles and any industrial or manufacturing plants. Another source of air pollution is from dust and dirt that goes airborne due to every day labor in the agricultural and construction industry. Dust is lifted from tractors working on fields, and from land clearing and general demolition in the construction industry.
Using household chemicals without adequate ventilation is a major source of indoor air pollution. Volcanoes, dust storms, and forest fires are causes of natural air pollution.
Air pollution causes irritation in the throat, nose, lungs and eyes. It causes breathing problems and aggravates existing health conditions such as emphysema and asthma. Contaminated air reduces the body’s defenses and decreases the body’s capacity to fight other infections in the respiratory system. Frequent exposure to polluted air increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Breathing air that is filled with fine particulate matter can induce hardening of the arteries, triggering cardiac arrhythmia or even a heart attack. People who exercise outdoors are susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution because it involves deeper and faster breathing.
Acid rain contains hydrogen ions, which can damage trees, crops, harm marine animals and induce corrosion in metals. Smog causes harmful health effects in humans and animals. Studies have shown signs of black lung disease in dolphins of due to high concentrations of carbon particles in the air. People afflicted with heart disease, children and older people are more sensitive to air pollution.
References: http://www.naturalnews.com/024691_health_pollution_natural.html#ixzz2oc8HdJgk http://www.gogreenacademy.com/causes-and-effects-of-air-pollution
References: http://www.naturalnews.com/024691_health_pollution_natural.html#ixzz2oc8HdJgk http://www.gogreenacademy.com/causes-and-effects-of-air-pollution
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