Air pollution: Impact and prevention

Abstract

Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. In support of this observation, the World Health Organization estimates that every year, 2.4 million people die because of the effects of air pollution on health. Mitigation strategies such as changes in diesel engine technology could result in fewer premature mortalities, as suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This review: (i) discusses the impact of air pollution on respiratory disease; (ii) provides evidence that reducing air pollution may have a positive impact on the prevention of disease; and (iii) demonstrates the impact concerted polices may have on population health when governments take actions to reduce air pollution.

Effect of different fabrics types on the adsorption of air pollution in residential and industrial atmosphere in Cairo-Egypt

“…Exposure fabrics to atmospheric pollutants may result in significant deterioration and weakening. [39] Moreover, higher temperature in summer with the relative humidity accelerate the action of acidic gases such as SO 2 , NO 2 and photochemical oxidants that affect the fabric deterioration [40,41]. These results are in agreement with those of stated that fabrics are subjected to damage due to industrial pollutants emissions.…”

Air Pollution Particulate Matter Alters Antimycobacterial Respiratory Epithelium Innate Immunity

“…The PM concentrations used in our experiments reflect the concentrations in the human airways during inhalational realworld urban air pollution exposures. The PM concentrations in the air of Mexico City reach levels of 120 g/m 3 . Considering the average air volumes inhaled daily by a person (41), the deposition rate of PM in the lungs (42), and the volume of the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (43), we calculated that an average person in Mexico City inhales around 80 g of PM per ml of lining fluid per day.…”

“…PM is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles that is released into the air during combustion of coal, wood, gasoline, diesel, or fossil fuels, as well as from natural sources (road dust, fires, volcanic emissions, etc.) (3). Based on its aerodynamic diameters, PM can be categorized as PM 0.1 (Ͻ0.1 m, ultrafine nanoparticles), PM 2.5 (Ͻ2.5 m, fine), and PM 10 (Ͻ10 m) (4).…”

Air pollution and lung health: An epilogue

“…Finally, prevention of the respiratory effects of air pollution is addressed by Martha Sierra‐Vargas and Luis Teran in their timely review 15 . They propose a range of initiatives to reduce sources of outdoor air pollution, for example green vegetation areas in urban settings, reduction of traffic pollution through technological improvements in vehicles and greater use of alternative energy sources.…”