What are the most toxic air pollutants you’re breathing every day?

Did you know that the air you breathe contains harmful pollutants??

Our days comprise a fair share of time spent indoors and outdoors, leading to 24 hours of exposure to air pollution. Exposure to toxic air can be in any form, inside or outside. We breathe contaminated air due to uncontrolled vehicular, Industrial, and construction emissions. These pollutants include particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. Exposure to these air pollutants can lead to severe health complications. According to World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes around 7 million annual deaths, including 3.3 million deaths due to cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, further contributing to climate change. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to increased global temperatures and the associated impacts of climate change.?

Here are the top most toxic pollutants that we breathe every day:

Particulate Matter:

Particulate matter refers to fine dust particles that are not visible to the naked eye. Particulate matter comprises dust particles graded by measuring their diameter in microns. From a public health perspective, The most concerning types of particulate matter are PM2.5 and PM10.

PM 2.5 particles enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of dying from heart and lung disease, stroke, and cancer. These particles can not only be directly emitted but also formed in the atmosphere from several different emitted pollutants, such as ammonia and volatile organic compounds.

Several studies have proven that particle pollutants are invisible and can cause hazards to our hearts. On breathing, these particles get introduced to the bloodstream traveling through the lungs to the heart leading to chronic diseases. Exposure to particulate matter pollution may increase the risk of heart ailments.

Ground-level ozone:

Ground-level ozone is a short-lived climate pollutant that lasts a few days to a few weeks. It is a greenhouse gas formed when the pollutants from vehicles, construction, and industrial activities react with sunlight.?

It can contribute to smog, worsen respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema, trigger asthma attacks, damage lung tissue, and reduce crop productivity. It is harmful to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.?

Exposure to ground-level ozone causes an estimated 472,000 premature deaths every year. Because ozone stunts the growth of plants and forests, it also reduces the amount of carbon that can be cloistered.

Nitrogen Dioxide:

Nitrogen oxides are a group of highly reactive gases that pollute the air. This group comprises Nitrogen Dioxide and Nitrogen Monoxide. Air pollution from nitrogen oxides can be both indoors and outdoors. Nitrogen dioxide is the most poisonous of the two. Combustion of fuel engines in industries and high vehicle traffic in big cities lead to the generation of Nitrogen oxides. These highly reactive gases play a vital role in the formation of ground-level ozone. The primary indoor sources of nitrogen oxides are unvented fuel-burning appliances (gas ranges, kerosene space heaters, etc.), heating appliances, and tobacco smoking.

Exposure to elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide can have serious health effects on the human respiratory system. This gas can irritate and damage the airways, making a person more susceptible to respiratory infections and exacerbating asthma. Prolonged exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can also lead to chronic lung diseases.

Methane:

Methane is emitted from various human-influenced and natural sources. Some of the human-made sources include landfills, coal mining, certain industrial activities, agriculture, oil and natural gas systems, stationary and mobile combustion, etc. It aids in creating ground-level ozone and hence contributes to chronic lung diseases and premature death.?

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change research shows that methane as a major short-lived climate pollutant, responsible for at least a quarter of current global warming and reducing human-influenced methane, which accounts for more than half of all methane emissions, is one of the most effective ways of battling climate change.

Overall, toxic air pollutants have significant impacts on human health. These pollutants can cause chronic diseases like cancer and harm the nervous system and brain, leading to defects from birth and impairments in cognitive function. In addition, toxic air pollutants can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, leading to coughing and wheezing. They can also impair lung function, damage the cardiovascular system, and reduce fertility.

Black Carbon:

A component of PM 2.5, black carbon is a short-lived air pollutant. Wildfires and agricultural burning are the major sources of Black Carbon in the world. Asia, Africa, and Latin America contribute approximately 88 percent of global black carbon emissions. It also comes from diesel engines, burning trash, and stoves and furnaces that combust fossil and biomass fuels. It causes poor health and premature death and also increases the risk of dementia.

How can you reduce your daily exposure to air pollution??

Reducing our exposure to air pollution is essential for improving our health and well-being. By taking the following steps to reduce pollution, we can breathe easier and protect ourselves from life-threatening diseases:

• Reduce time spent outside in areas with poor air quality.
• Choose routes away from busy roads when walking or cycling.
• Plan your commute and avoid peak traffic hours.
• Avoid exercising outdoors.
• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Use masks as a measure to reduce transmission.
• Consider an air purifier.

In conclusion, it is clear that we are exposed to a wide range of toxic pollutants on a daily basis. These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and household cleaning products. Exposure to these pollutants can have serious health effects, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and even cancer. It is important for us to be aware of the sources of these pollutants and to take steps to reduce our exposure to them. This may include using public transportation, choosing environmentally-friendly cleaning products, and supporting policies that reduce industrial emissions. By taking action, we can protect ourselves and our communities from the harmful effects of toxic pollutants.

References:

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/5-dangerous-pollutants-youre-breathing-every-day

https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/what-makes-air-unhealthy/toxic-air-pollutants

https://www.epa.gov/haps

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/toxic-air-pollutants

https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/10-tips-to-protect-yourse