Effect of Air Quality on Health
Air pollution or air pollution is an environmental problem that causes negative impacts. The impact of bad air pollution threatens human health and the surrounding environment, including the sustainability of living things on earth.
Many big cities in the world have problems with high levels of air pollution. The impact of air pollution not only affects the environment, but also threatens the health of people living in polluted areas.
The development of the times has led to an increase in industrial and transportation activities. This triggers air pollution which has an impact on health, especially in industrial areas and big cities.
The impact of air pollution can occur anywhere, for example in homes, schools and offices. This pollution is called indoor pollution. Meanwhile, outdoor pollution comes from emissions from motorized vehicles, industry, shipping and natural processes by living things.
Impact of Air Pollution on Health
In terms of health, air pollution or air pollution can result in disruption of health for humans.
- Weaken the immune system so that the body is susceptible to infection
- Trouble breathing, for example, relapsed asthma, lung pain, cough, chronic bronchitis, and respiratory tract infections
- Causes lung cancer
- Increases the risk of heart disease
- Disturbing the health of children and hindering the development of children
- In pregnant women can increase the risk of low birth weight babies to infant death
- Disturbing skin health, such as damaging collagen, triggering acne, and increasing the risk of skin cancer
Respiratory System Problems
The impact of poor air quality on health can certainly be felt in the respiratory system. Not without reason, this is because air always enters the lungs through the nose. If the air entering the respiratory tract is contaminated, dangerous substances can also enter the lungs and trigger tissue damage inside.
As a result, you are at risk of experiencing various respiratory disorders. For example asthma, emphysema, respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. In addition, exposure to pollutants can also cause chronic bronchitis.
- Cardiovascular disorders
In addition, exposure to air pollution can also increase the risk of developing
cardiovascular disorders, in this case blood vessels and the heart. This is caused by
exposure to substances that are included in particulate matter. On entry into the
respiratory system, these exposures will immediately enter the blood vessels.
The effect, there will be interference with the function of blood vessels. Not only that, this
also increases the potential for plaque to appear in the arteries which has an impact on
increasing heart health problems. One of them is coronary artery disease.
- Neurodegenerative Problems
Poor air quality can also trigger neurodegenerative diseases or nervous disorders due to
decreased brain function due to air pollution. This problem is associated with an increased
risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other forms of dementia.
If you are frequently exposed to air pollution and experience certain symptoms, such as coughing, runny nose, shortness of breath, headaches and coughing up blood, you should immediately go to the doctor to undergo an examination and receive appropriate treatment.
In addition, make it a habit to diligently wash your hands with soap. Hands are the most susceptible part of the body to germs, so they need to be cleaned frequently.