Impact of Air Pollution On The Lungs

The lungs are the organs in the respiratory system associated with the circulatory system, the lungs exchange oxygen from the air with carbon monoxide from red blood cells. The red blood cells then carry oxygen throughout the body for use in cells found in organs and tissues.

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Air pollution not only causes respiratory distress alone, even with the decrease in oxygen levels in the air we breathe can cause a lack of oxygen supply for other important organs and tissues, so indirect air pollution can also cause death.

The high mobility of people in driving contributes to the level of air pollution. In urban areas for example, during peak hours, air pollution rates tend to be higher than during normal hours.

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Exposure to excessive air pollution can adversely affect health. World health organization (WHO) states air pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems that have a significant impact on human health. By reducing the level of air pollution, a country can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, as well as acute and chronic respiratory problems such as asthma and COPD, among its inhabitants.

In 2015 recorded, every year 4.3 million deaths occur from exposure to indoor air pollution and 3.7 million deaths are attributable to outdoor air pollution. In addition to outdoor air pollution, indoor pollution also causes serious health risks for the three billion people in the world who use charcoal and firewood in the home. In fact, every year, nearly 600,000 children under 5 years old from around the world, died of respiratory illness due to air pollution.

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Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) arises from the combustion process (heating, power generation, vehicle engines, and vessels). Continuous exposure to NO 2 can improve bronchitis symptoms in children with asthma. NO2 can also reduce lung function.

The particle components in the air consist of sulfate, nitrate, ammonia, sodium chloride, and mineral dust. If exposed by a combination of these elements on an ongoing basis, it can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease, as well as respiration such as lung cancer.

Do not equate ozone at ground level with the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Although the ozone layer of the atmosphere serves as an antidote to ultraviolet light (UV), on the surface of the earth ozone including pollution. Ozone on the surface of the earth is formed when the sunlight triggers a chemical reaction between the elements of pollution. Ozone pollution can reduce lung function, trigger asthma, and other lung diseases.

Sulfur dioxide or SO2 can cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, triggering symptoms o a cough with phlegm. Inhaling these elements also increases a person's risk of infection of the respiratory tract and aggravates the condition of asthma and bronchitis. Sulfur dioxide is produced from burning coal and gasoline.

The air you breathe, though clean, may contain many substances that can harm your health. For that, try to protect yourself and your family from air pollution by using air purifier (air purifier), breathing mask and planting plants that serve as an air purifier.