Air Pollution Health Effects

August 12, 2007

Polluted air contains one, or more, hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant that creates a hazard to general health. It is usually measured in terms of "particulate matter", or, the number of particles of these potentially hazardous substances as a percentage of air. According to the National Resources Defense Council, some 64,000 people in the USA may be dying prematurely each year from cardiopulmonary causes linked to air pollution. This link was made when the National Resources Defense Council applied findings from a 1995 study by the American Cancer Society and the Harvard Medical School. Air pollution from coal-fired power plants accounts for about 30,000 premature deaths in the USA each year. It is estimated that in the most polluted cities, lives are shortened by an average of one to two years.
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Sources of some major pollutants
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Particulate matter includes a wide range of pollutants — road dust, diesel soot, fly ash, wood smoke, nitrates in fertilizers, sulfate aerosols, lead, arsenic, etc. The principal source of such particle emission is the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, and wood. Air pollution from coal burning in electric utilities is a dominant cause of smog, deadly soot, global warming, pollution in our National Parks, toxic contamination of fish and polluted estuaries.

What is "Unhealthy Air?"

The suggested Federal limit of an "average" of 50 micrograms of "particulate matter" per cubic foot of air (in a one year period) is considered poor air quality. There is evidence that the daily peak levels that contribute to the year average, can have significant impact on an individual’s health. The elderly and those with heart, lung, or asthma problems are most at risk. The exact impact of poor air quality on health is not thoroughly understood, but long term exposure to particulates may increase susceptibility to infections. Those with chronic lung diseases or heart disease may also have their conditions exacerbated. Monitoring the daily pollution forecasts may be useful for those with chronic conditions, so that outside exposure can be limited on bad days. See Health Effects of Air Pollution
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These young boys, like everything else in Copsa Mica, Romania, are covered with coal dust — one of the many pollutants spread into the air and water by humans.

Burning coal releases particulates, lead, mercury, arsenic, radioactive elements, and other toxic elements into the air. The particles and gasses often drift thousands of miles. Pollution from coal has increased birth defects and contributed to many diseases by weakening immune systems.

Mercury poisoning can cause birth defects and other problems

Son With Birth Defects Due to Mercury Poisoning

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Birth defects, brain damage, weakening of immune systems and many other severe problems were traced to a factory that dumped mercury contaminated waste into the bay at Minamata, Japan. The mercury became reconcentrated as it worked its way through the food chain back to people.

Mercury is released in gaseous form when coal is burned. It falls to earth and enters the food chain. Most humans have already accumulated mercury in their bodies while breathing, drinking, and eating.

Lung Function Tied to Pollution Level

September 9, 2004

In the first long-term study of the effects of air pollution on children, researchers reported Wednesday that children and teenagers in Southern California communities with higher levels of air pollution were more likely to have diminished lung function.

In their study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, James Gauderman of the University of Southern California and his colleagues followed 1,759 children ages 10 to 18 in a dozen Southern California communities. The pollutants they considered came primarily from car exhaust, they said.

The investigators found that 7.9 percent of the 18-year-olds in the highest pollution areas had lung capacities that were less than 80 percent of what they should have been. Among those subjected to the least-polluted air, 1.6 percent had underperforming lungs.

The investigators added that the lung effects were similar to those that occur when children live in the home of a mother who smokes.

"This is some of the most convincing evidence that air pollution has chronic effects," Dr. Gauderman said. "We see the effects in all kids. And it's an unavoidable exposure. It's not like smoking, where you can advise people to stop."

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. C. Arden Pope III noted that the air quality in Southern California and elsewhere had improved considerably since the 1990's, when the study was done. There will be debate, Dr. Pope said, over the costs and benefits of making additional improvements, but "continued efforts to improve our air quality are likely to provide additional health benefits."
What can We do to reduce exposure?

The American Lung Association recommends three steps to protect yourself indoors:

1. Use a heat recovery ventilator or an energy recovery ventilator to quietly provide the fresh filtered air you need while quietly removing stale polluted air.
2. Seal leaks in the building shell to block entry of unfiltered outdoor air during the heating and air conditioning seasons. NOTE: Sealing leaks also blocks entry of dust and insects.
3. Use space and water heating systems that cannot put combustion gasses into the building interior.



Individuals can contribute to cleaner air by choosing cleaner sources of energy and using energy more efficiently. For instance, carpooling or taking public transportation, maintaining automobile emissions controls on one’s cars, walking or biking to work or school can make a difference. Limiting the use of fireplaces or wood and coal burning stoves, and seeking out more efficient heating and cooling systems can also contribute to cleaner air.

Additional Sources of Information:

* Health Effects of Air Pollution
* Air pollution causes healthy blood vessels to constrict — American Heart Association
* Links between air pollution, human health clarified
* Air Pollution May Trigger Heart Attacks
* Chemical Pollution Database

* E.P.A. Office of Air and Radiation

* NEPA Net

* Technology Transfer Network 2000 BBS

* Scott Evans' Air Quality Resources

* Clean Air Clearinghouse

* Directory of Air Quality Economic Incentive Programs

* California Air Resources Board

* Atmosphere, Climate and Environment Program

* Solstice

* American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

* International Institute for Energy Conservation

* International Project for Sustainable Energy Paths

* Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies

* Policy.com Energy Page

* California Energy Commission
* California Public Utilities Commission

* Clean Air Act and Its Amendments.
* EcoNet

* The Earth Times

* Environmental News Network

* Society for Environmental Journalism's Links Page

* Environmental Web Directory

* Island Press' Eco-Compass

* Envirolink Network

* US League of Conservation Voters

* CA League of Conservation Voters.

* Environmental Advocates (NY)

* Environmental Links on the Web

* Your Next Car

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