Particle Pollution and Your Health
October 9th 2006 14:00
This article was extracted and compiled from AirNow.gov
Airborne particles, the main ingredient of haze, smoke and airborne dust, present serious air quality problems in many parts of the world these days. This particle pollution can cause a number of serious health problems, even at concentrations. It can be found in many major cities and sometimes it can occur a few months to a year.
What is particle pollution?
Particle pollution is a mixture of microscopic solids and liquids droplets suspended in air. This pollution, also known as particulate matter, is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulphates), organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen or mould spores).
The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems.
Small particles
Less than 10 micrometres in diameter, and it includes “fine particles” (such as those found in smoke and faze), which are 2.5 micrometres in diameter or less. Such particles can pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart.
Large particles
Some refer as “coarse particle” (such as those found in wind-blown dust), are less concern, although they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They are about the size between 2.5 to 10 micrometers.
Are you at risk of particles?
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are considered at greater risk from particles than other people, especially when they are physically active.
Exercise and physical activity cause people to breathe faster and more deeply and to take more particles into lungs.
People with heart or lung diseases
Anyone who falls in this category such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk, because particles can aggravate these diseases.
Diabetic patients
People with diabetes also may be at increased risk, possibly because they are more likely to have underlying cardiovascular disease.
Older adults
Older adults are at increased risk, possibly because they may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease or diabetes. Many studies show that when particle levels are high, older adults are more likely to be hospitalized, and some may die of aggravated heart or lung disease.
Children
Children are likely at increased risk for several reasons.
Their lungs are still developing they spend more time at high activity levels; and they are more likely to have asthma or acute respiratory diseases, which can be aggravated when particle levels are high.
The risk varies throughout a lifetime, and generally being higher in early childhood, lower in healthy adolescents and younger adults (in good health), and increasing in middle age through old age as the incidence of heart and lung disease and diabetes increase.
Factors that increase your risk of heart attack, such as high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels, also may increase your risk from particles.
In addition, scientists are evaluating new studies that suggest that exposure to high particle levels may also be associated with low birth weight in infants, pre-term deliveries, and possibly foetal and infant deaths.
Airborne particles, the main ingredient of haze, smoke and airborne dust, present serious air quality problems in many parts of the world these days. This particle pollution can cause a number of serious health problems, even at concentrations. It can be found in many major cities and sometimes it can occur a few months to a year.
What is particle pollution?
Particle pollution is a mixture of microscopic solids and liquids droplets suspended in air. This pollution, also known as particulate matter, is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulphates), organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen or mould spores).
The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems.
Small particles
Less than 10 micrometres in diameter, and it includes “fine particles” (such as those found in smoke and faze), which are 2.5 micrometres in diameter or less. Such particles can pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart.
Large particles
Some refer as “coarse particle” (such as those found in wind-blown dust), are less concern, although they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They are about the size between 2.5 to 10 micrometers.
Are you at risk of particles?
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are considered at greater risk from particles than other people, especially when they are physically active.
Exercise and physical activity cause people to breathe faster and more deeply and to take more particles into lungs.
People with heart or lung diseases
Anyone who falls in this category such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk, because particles can aggravate these diseases.
Diabetic patients
People with diabetes also may be at increased risk, possibly because they are more likely to have underlying cardiovascular disease.
Older adults
Older adults are at increased risk, possibly because they may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease or diabetes. Many studies show that when particle levels are high, older adults are more likely to be hospitalized, and some may die of aggravated heart or lung disease.
Children
Children are likely at increased risk for several reasons.
Their lungs are still developing they spend more time at high activity levels; and they are more likely to have asthma or acute respiratory diseases, which can be aggravated when particle levels are high.
The risk varies throughout a lifetime, and generally being higher in early childhood, lower in healthy adolescents and younger adults (in good health), and increasing in middle age through old age as the incidence of heart and lung disease and diabetes increase.
Factors that increase your risk of heart attack, such as high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels, also may increase your risk from particles.
In addition, scientists are evaluating new studies that suggest that exposure to high particle levels may also be associated with low birth weight in infants, pre-term deliveries, and possibly foetal and infant deaths.
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Comment by Anonymous
It's still there, but getting better.
Mask must be worn during heavy haze, but I can still see many are as stubborn as a mule.
Wait... I'm one of them!
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
I was reading the other day that much of the increased dust pollution around the globe is being created by recreational SUV vehicles kicking up the dirt that has been settled in some forests for years, upon years.
During the 80's I lived on the norht side of Sydney Harbour and I can remember days when we couldn't even see the Bridge and it was so close.
I see only gloom and doom here, don't you - and it saddens me - greatly.
Lilla
Comment by Jessicca
Health 2 Know
Learning Something Everyday
Daily History
Malaysia Found
Global warning never fails to increase the threat among living beings, and if we don't do something now, our next generation will be like those in the Sci-Fi movies, never able to see the real light of nature anymore.