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ir is the ocean we breathe.

Air supplies us with oxygen which is essential for our


bodies to live. Air is 99.9% nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Human
activities can release substances into the air, some of which can cause problems for
humans, plants, and animals.

There are several main types of pollution and well-known effects of pollution which are
commonly discussed. These include smog, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and "holes"
in the ozone layer. Each of these problems has serious implications for our health and
well-being as well as for the whole environment.

One type of air pollution is the release of particles into the air from burning fuel for
energy. Diesel smoke is a good example of thisparticulate matter . The particles are very
small pieces of matter measuring about 2.5 microns or about .0001 inches. This type of
pollution is sometimes referred to as "black carbon" pollution. The exhaust from burning
fuels in automobiles, homes, and industries is a major source of pollution in the air. Some
authorities believe that even the burning of wood and charcoal in fireplaces and
barbeques can release significant quanitites of soot into the air.

Another type of pollution is the release of noxious gases, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and chemical vapors. These can take part in further chemical
reactions once they are in the atmosphere, forming smog and acid rain.

Pollution also needs to be considered inside our homes, offices, and schools. Some of
these pollutants can be created by indoor activities such as smoking and cooking. In the
United States, we spend about 80-90% of our time inside buildings, and so our exposure
to harmful indoor pollutants can be serious. It is therefore important to consider
both indoor and outdoor air pollution.

How can air pollution hurt my health?

Air pollution can affect our health in many ways with both short-term and long-
term effects. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different
ways. Some individuals are much more sensitive to pollutants than are others. Young
children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution. People
with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease may also suffer more when
the air is polluted. The extent to which an individual is harmed by air pollution usually
depends on the total exposure to the damaging chemicals, i.e., the duration of
exposure and the concentration of the chemicals must be taken into account.
Examples of short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper
respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Other symptoms can include
headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the
medical conditions of individuals with asthma and emphysema. In the great "Smog
Disaster" in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high
concentrations of pollution.

Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart
disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air
pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical
conditions in the elderly. It is estimated that half a million people die prematurely every
year in the United States as a result of smoking cigarettes.

Research into the health effects of air pollution is ongoing. Medical conditions arising
from air pollution can be very expensive. Healthcare costs, lost productivity in the
workplace, and human welfare impacts cost billions of dollars each year.

Additional information on the health effects of air pollution is available from the Natural
Resources Defense Council. A short article on the health effects of ozone (a major
component of smog) is available from the B.A.A.Q.M.D.

How can we prevent


the damaging effects of air pollution?

In many countries in the world, steps are being taken to stop the damage to our
environment from air pollution. Scientific groups study the damaging effects on plant,
animal and human life. Legislative bodies write laws to control emissions. Educators in
schools and universities teach students, beginning at very young ages, about the effects of
air pollution.

The first step to solving air pollution is assessment . Researchers have investigated
outdoor air pollution and have developed standards for measuring the type and amount of
some serious air pollutants.

Scientists must then determine how much exposure to pollutants is harmful.

Once exposure levels have been set, steps can be undertaken to reduce exposure to air
pollution. These can be accomplished by regulation of man-made pollution through
legislation. Many countries have set controls on pollution emissions for transportation
vehicles and industry. This is usually done to through a variety of coordinating agencies
which monitor the air and the environment. At the United Nations, the Atmosphere
Management Programcarries out world wide environmental projects. In the United States,
the primary federal agency is the Environmental Protection Agency. Many state and local
organizations also participate in monitoring and controlling the environment. These
include the San Francisco Bay Area's Air Quality Management District (B.A.A.Q.M.D.),
the Air Quality Management District in southern California, the Environmental
Protection Agency of California, SmogBusters of southern California, and the Galveston-
Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP).

Prevention is another key to controlling air pollution. The regulatory agencies mentioned
above play an essential role in reducing and preventing air pollution in the environment.

In addition, it is possible to prevent many types of air pollution that are not regulated
through personal, careful attention to our interactions with the environment. In the United
States, most household products come with instructions about safe use. Additional
information about product chemical safety are available in an article and a fact
sheet from Enviro$en$e, and in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

Building materials should be reviewed for potential harmful effects. Information on


building materials can be found in LBNL's Center for Building Science newsletter.
Additional information is available from EcoTech.

Adequate ventilation is also a key to controlling exposure to indoor air pollution. Home
and work environments should be monitored for adequate air flow and proper exhaust
systems installed. Additional information is available in a book titled Understanding
Ventilation .

One of the most dangerous air pollutants is cigarette smoke. Restricting smoking is an
important key to a healthier environment. Legislation to control smoking is in effect in
some locations, but personal exposure should be monitored and limited wherever
possible. Additional information about the effects of "secondhand" cigarette smoke is
available from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and Medicine
On-line.

Only through the efforts of scientists, business leaders, legislators, and individuals can we
reduce the amount of air pollution on the planet. This challenge must be met by all of us
in order to assure that a healthy environment will exist for ourselves and our children.
Find out "What you can do to reduce air pollution".

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