HEALTH HAZARDS OF OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION

 An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can cause harm to the humans and the environment.  It may be in the form of micro solid particles, liquid droplets or gas. 

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It is estimated that about 4% of deaths in the Unites States can be attributed to air pollution, according to the Harward School of Public Health.  According to the World Health Organisation,  2.4 million people die each year due to direct or indirect effects of  air pollution.  The epidemiological studies shows that about 500 thousands of Americans and 300 thousands of Europeans die from effects of air pollution annually. 

 The initial symptoms caused by air pollution may be very subtle. It may be felt as exertional breathlessness, wheezing, coughing and aggravation of existing cardio pulmonary diseases.  This will ultimately lead to increase use medicines, increase in hospital admissions.

 Automobile exhaust is the major source of air pollution in urban areas.  Diesel exhaust is a major contributor of particulate matter air pollution.  Studies have shown that acute exposure of diesel exhaust can precipitate heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths.  The debate of fozzle fuel is revolving around hazardous global warming.  In addition to this, it is now been recognized that particulate air pollution mostly from diesel engines is hazardous to health and can damage apart lungs and increase incidence of cancer.  A Dutch Study showed that living close to a highway, cuts life expectancy by 7 years. 

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            Another problem of air pollution is mercury.  Mercury is a byproduct from factory smoke.As mercury gets into air atmospheric system and it          mingles with the rain, which then falls into water and is absorbed by fish.  Large fish which prey small fish even contain higher amounts. 

 So eventhough there is a recommendation to eat fish it is also equally important not to eat more than two serving of fish per week.  Pregnant women and children should avoid eating certain types of fish like tuna, as the mercury can cause defects and has been linked to developmental problems.  Respiratory problems have been long been established as a hazard of air pollution.  Polluting presence cause problems in children and in the elderly and where it presents has asthma with frequent exacerbation

            There are 4 reasons of air pollution.  Emission from vehicles, thermal power plants, industries and refineries.  Vehicles’ emission  is   responsible for 70% of air pollution.  Banglore holds the title  as the asthma capital of the country.  It is estimated that 10% in Banglore inhabitants of 60 lakhs population and every 50% of its childrens below 18 years, suffer from  asthma related to air pollution  The number of asthma patients on the high and in the future, there may be a huge rise in lung cancer. A survey by Central Pollution Board and All India Medical Sciences showed that majority of people living in Delhi suffers from irritation, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and poor lung functioning.  One in 10 delhiite have asthma.

 According to New England Journal Study 2007 reports even a short exposure to traffic fuel can increase your chances of heart disease including heart attack.  People who exercise in areas where there is heavy traffic may be especially at risk.  Delhi and Calcutta are one of the most air polluted cities in the world.

CONDITION IN KOCHI 

Local activists commissioned experts from the Occupational Health and Safety Centre of Mumbai, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) of New Delhi and St John’s Medical College of Bangalore to study the health problems caused by DDT. The report found that in comparison to a less polluted village in the same district, the chances of Eloor’s inhabitants contracting cancer were 2.8 times higher. Children were at a 2.6 times higher risk of bodily deformities due to congenital and chromosomal aberrations. Chances of children dying due to birth defects had increased 3.8 times. Death from bronchitis was up 3.4 times and from asthma 2.2 times. Air pollution was 85 percent higher than in Kochi city. Since that report, another study by the Cochin University of Science and Technology has confirmed the high prevalence of DDT in locally available milk, fish, chicken and eggs.

Mahatma Gandhi has said that the nature has enough to satisfy everyone’s need but has not enough to satisfy man’s greed.  It is our ever expanding greed that is put as such a difficult situation.

REFERENCES

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main39.asp?filename=Ne070608profitoverpeople.asp

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68F4VA20100916