Md Billal Hossen :
Air pollution has become a burning issue nowadays. The quality of air we breathe is getting worst day by day and now it reaches at the most hazardous level. According to the real time Air Quality Index (AQI) published by US Consulate “The Air Quality Index of Dhaka is ranges from 150 to 200 which is categorized as unhealthy”. This means that the air is totally unhealthy for public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “every year around 7million people die as a result of air pollution” which is a shocking statistics for us. WHO also said that 90% of the world population is exposed to toxic air. It indicates that air pollution is now a silent public health emergency.
What are the harmful effects of air pollution on human body?
According to the Guardian report air pollution affects all the organ of human body. Research shows head-to-toe harm, from heart and lung disease to diabetes and dementia, and from liver problems and bladder cancer to brittle bones and damaged skin. Fertility, foetuses and children are also affected by toxic air. The systemic damage is the result of pollutants causing inflammation that then floods through the body and ultrafine particles being carried around the body by the bloodstream. Air pollution can harm acutely, as well as chronically, potentially affecting every organ in the body. Ultrafine particles pass through the lungs, are readily picked up by cells, and carried via the bloodstream to expose virtually all cells in the body. Organ that are affected by air pollution is described in the following-
Lungs and heart
The harmful effects of dirty air begin when the pollution is inhaled. This results in breathing problems, from asthma to emphysema to lung cancer. There is now overwhelming evidence that air pollution results in serious harm not only to the lungs, but also to the heart. Here it increases the risk of heart attacks as arteries narrow and muscles weaken. One reason for the wide-ranging damage from air pollution is that very small particles can penetrate the lungs and be carried around the body. They land in the organs directly.
Brain and mind
Strokes, dementia and reduced intelligence are all conditions affecting the brain that have been linked to air pollution. There is also evidence that poor sleep can be a consequence of breathing toxic air. The main reason for the far-reaching damage from air pollution is systemic inflammation
Abdominal organs
Among the many other organs affected is the liver. Research also highlighted that air pollution is linked to numerous cancers, including in the bladder and the gut, where an increase in irritable bowel syndrome has also been found. Even skin and bones are affected, with skin ageing, hives and brittle bones associated with toxic air.
Reproduction, babies and children
Perhaps the most disturbing impact of toxic air is the damage to reproduction and children. Fertility is reduced and miscarriages increased by exposure to air pollution. The unborn are also affected, with a recent study finding pollutants in the placentas that nourish foetuses. Air pollution is also strongly linked to low birth weights for babies, which has lifelong consequences. Children are especially vulnerable, the review found, as their bodies are still developing. Exposure to dirty air leads to stunted lungs, increases in childhood obesity, leukemia and mental health problems.
Air pollution is also linked to depression and suicide said by The Guardian. It crystal clear to us that air pollution must be controlled at any cost as quickly as possible.
How can we limit breathing in polluted air?
According to World Health Organization (WHO) there are five ways to limit breathing polluted air –
o Limit walking on busy streets during rush hour – and if you have a young child with you, try and lift them up above the level of vehicle exhausts
o Limit spending time at specific hotspots of traffic such as cars stopped at traffic lights
o When you’re doing physical activity outdoors, try exercising in less polluted areas
o Limit the use of cars in highly polluted days
o Don’t burn waste as the smoke that results damages our health
How can we reduce air pollution?
Renewable fuel and clean energy production
The most basic solution for air pollution is to move away from fossil fuels, replacing them with alternative energies like solar, wind and geothermal.
Energy conservation and efficiency
Producing clean energy is crucial. But equally important is to reduce our consumption of energy by adopting responsible habits and using more efficient devices.
Eco-friendly transportation
Shifting to electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles, and promoting shared mobility (i.e carpooling, and public transports) could reduce air pollution.
Green building
From planning to demolition, green building aims to create environmentally responsible and resource-efficient structures to reduce their carbon footprint.
To ensure SDG3 we must ensure safe and pollution free air for healthy living and to promote wellbeing. It’s our right to breathe in clean and safe air. Let’s work for ourselves. Save air, save life.
(Md Billal Hossen, MS Student, Department of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Bangladesh; e-mail: [email protected])
Air pollution has become a burning issue nowadays. The quality of air we breathe is getting worst day by day and now it reaches at the most hazardous level. According to the real time Air Quality Index (AQI) published by US Consulate “The Air Quality Index of Dhaka is ranges from 150 to 200 which is categorized as unhealthy”. This means that the air is totally unhealthy for public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “every year around 7million people die as a result of air pollution” which is a shocking statistics for us. WHO also said that 90% of the world population is exposed to toxic air. It indicates that air pollution is now a silent public health emergency.
What are the harmful effects of air pollution on human body?
According to the Guardian report air pollution affects all the organ of human body. Research shows head-to-toe harm, from heart and lung disease to diabetes and dementia, and from liver problems and bladder cancer to brittle bones and damaged skin. Fertility, foetuses and children are also affected by toxic air. The systemic damage is the result of pollutants causing inflammation that then floods through the body and ultrafine particles being carried around the body by the bloodstream. Air pollution can harm acutely, as well as chronically, potentially affecting every organ in the body. Ultrafine particles pass through the lungs, are readily picked up by cells, and carried via the bloodstream to expose virtually all cells in the body. Organ that are affected by air pollution is described in the following-
Lungs and heart
The harmful effects of dirty air begin when the pollution is inhaled. This results in breathing problems, from asthma to emphysema to lung cancer. There is now overwhelming evidence that air pollution results in serious harm not only to the lungs, but also to the heart. Here it increases the risk of heart attacks as arteries narrow and muscles weaken. One reason for the wide-ranging damage from air pollution is that very small particles can penetrate the lungs and be carried around the body. They land in the organs directly.
Brain and mind
Strokes, dementia and reduced intelligence are all conditions affecting the brain that have been linked to air pollution. There is also evidence that poor sleep can be a consequence of breathing toxic air. The main reason for the far-reaching damage from air pollution is systemic inflammation
Abdominal organs
Among the many other organs affected is the liver. Research also highlighted that air pollution is linked to numerous cancers, including in the bladder and the gut, where an increase in irritable bowel syndrome has also been found. Even skin and bones are affected, with skin ageing, hives and brittle bones associated with toxic air.
Reproduction, babies and children
Perhaps the most disturbing impact of toxic air is the damage to reproduction and children. Fertility is reduced and miscarriages increased by exposure to air pollution. The unborn are also affected, with a recent study finding pollutants in the placentas that nourish foetuses. Air pollution is also strongly linked to low birth weights for babies, which has lifelong consequences. Children are especially vulnerable, the review found, as their bodies are still developing. Exposure to dirty air leads to stunted lungs, increases in childhood obesity, leukemia and mental health problems.
Air pollution is also linked to depression and suicide said by The Guardian. It crystal clear to us that air pollution must be controlled at any cost as quickly as possible.
How can we limit breathing in polluted air?
According to World Health Organization (WHO) there are five ways to limit breathing polluted air –
o Limit walking on busy streets during rush hour – and if you have a young child with you, try and lift them up above the level of vehicle exhausts
o Limit spending time at specific hotspots of traffic such as cars stopped at traffic lights
o When you’re doing physical activity outdoors, try exercising in less polluted areas
o Limit the use of cars in highly polluted days
o Don’t burn waste as the smoke that results damages our health
How can we reduce air pollution?
Renewable fuel and clean energy production
The most basic solution for air pollution is to move away from fossil fuels, replacing them with alternative energies like solar, wind and geothermal.
Energy conservation and efficiency
Producing clean energy is crucial. But equally important is to reduce our consumption of energy by adopting responsible habits and using more efficient devices.
Eco-friendly transportation
Shifting to electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles, and promoting shared mobility (i.e carpooling, and public transports) could reduce air pollution.
Green building
From planning to demolition, green building aims to create environmentally responsible and resource-efficient structures to reduce their carbon footprint.
To ensure SDG3 we must ensure safe and pollution free air for healthy living and to promote wellbeing. It’s our right to breathe in clean and safe air. Let’s work for ourselves. Save air, save life.
(Md Billal Hossen, MS Student, Department of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Bangladesh; e-mail: [email protected])
