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Homework #2 1. Enumerate and Discuss The 4 Most Difficult Problems Encountered Relating Air Pollution To Health

The four most difficult problems relating air pollution to health are: 1. Respiratory disorders caused by pollutants entering the airways and damaging the respiratory system, increasing risks of asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. 2. Cardiovascular dysfunctions as studies have shown associations between air pollution and changes in blood cells, hypertension, and heart damage. 3. Neuropsychiatric complications like neurological impairments in infants and psychiatric disorders that can induce aggression. Studies link air pollution to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. 4. Immune system dysfunction where air pollution can increase immunoglobulins and inflammatory diseases while also interfering with antigen presentation and immune response.

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59 views2 pages

Homework #2 1. Enumerate and Discuss The 4 Most Difficult Problems Encountered Relating Air Pollution To Health

The four most difficult problems relating air pollution to health are: 1. Respiratory disorders caused by pollutants entering the airways and damaging the respiratory system, increasing risks of asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. 2. Cardiovascular dysfunctions as studies have shown associations between air pollution and changes in blood cells, hypertension, and heart damage. 3. Neuropsychiatric complications like neurological impairments in infants and psychiatric disorders that can induce aggression. Studies link air pollution to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. 4. Immune system dysfunction where air pollution can increase immunoglobulins and inflammatory diseases while also interfering with antigen presentation and immune response.

Uploaded by

Jonelou Cusipag
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HOMEWORK #2

1. Enumerate and discuss the 4 most difficult problems encountered relating air
pollution to health.

In terms of health hazards, every unusual suspended material in the air, which causes difficulties
in normal function of the human organs, is defined as air toxicants. According to available data,
the main toxic effects of exposure to air pollutants are mainly on the respiratory, cardiovascular,
ophthalmologic, dermatologic, neuropsychiatric, hematologic, immunologic, and reproductive
systems. However, the molecular and cell toxicity may also induce a variety of cancers in the long
term. On the other hand, even small amount of air toxicants is shown to be dangerous for
susceptible groups including children and elderly people as well as patients suffering from
respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Respiratory disorders

Because most of the pollutants enter the body through the airways, the respiratory system is in the
first line of battle in the onset and progression of diseases resulted from air pollutants. Depending
on the dose of inhaled pollutants, and deposition in target cells, they cause a different level of
damages in the respiratory system. In the upper respiratory tract, the first effect is irritation,
especially in trachea which induces voice disturbances. Air pollution is also considered as the
major environmental risk factor for some respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung cancer. Air
pollutants, especially PMs and other respirable chemicals such as dust, O3, and benzene cause
serious damage to the respiratory tract. Asthma is a respiratory disease which may be developed
as a result of exposure to air toxicants. Some studies have validated associations between both
traffic-related and/or industrial air pollution and increasing the risk of COPD. Treatment of
respiratory diseases due to air pollution is similar to the other toxic chemical induce respiratory
disorders.

Cardiovascular dysfunctions

Many experimental and epidemiologic studies have shown the direct association of air pollutant
exposure and cardiac-related illnesses. Air pollution is also associated with changes in white blood
cell counts which also may affect the cardiovascular functions. On the other hand, a study on
animal models suggested the close relationship between hypertension and air pollution exposure.
The traffic-related air pollution, especially exposure to high levels of NO2, is associated with right
and left ventricular hypertrophy. In addition to the antidote therapy that exists only for a few cardio
toxic substances like CO, usual treatment of cardiovascular diseases should be carried out.

Neuropsychiatric complications

The relationship between exposure to air suspended toxic materials and nerve system has always
been argued. However, it is now believed that these toxic substances have damaging effects on the
nervous system. The toxic effect of air pollutants on nerve system includes neurological
complications and psychiatric disorders. Neurological impairment may cause devastating
consequences, especially in infants. In contrast, psychiatric disorders will induce aggression and
antisocial behaviors. Recent studies have reported the relationship between air pollution and
neurobehavioral hyperactivity, criminal activity, and age-inappropriate behaviors. Studies have
also revealed the association between air pollution and higher risk of neuro-inflammation,
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Some studies showed that aggression and anxiety in
megacities are in close relationship with the high level of air pollutants.
Immune System Dysfunction

Many of the diseases that are linked to immune system dysfunction can be affected by several
environmental factors such as poor air quality. Poor air quality can cause serious complications in
the immune system such as an abnormal increase in the serum levels of the immunoglobulin (Ig);
IgA, IgM, and the complement component C3 in humans as well as chronic inflammatory diseases
of the respiratory system. Exposure to these immunotoxicants may also cause immune dysfunction
at different stages which can serve as the basis for increased risks of numerous diseases such as
neuroinflammation, an altered brain innate immune response. Air pollutants modify antigen
presentation by up-regulation of costimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86 on
macrophages.

The eye is a neglected vulnerable organ to the adverse effects of air suspended contaminants even
household air pollution. Clinical effects of air pollution on the eyes can vary from asymptomatic
eye problems to dry eye syndrome. Chronic exposure to air pollutants increases the risk for
retinopathy and adverse ocular outcomes. In addition, there are now evidence suggesting the
association between air pollution and irritation of the eyes, dry eye syndrome, and some of the
major blinding. According to data, the level of air pollution is linked to short-term increases in the
number of people visiting the ophthalmological emergency department.

Damage to Organ through Skin


Skin is the body's first line of defense against a foreign pathogen or infectious agent and it is the
first organ that may be contaminated by a pollutant. The skin is a target organ for pollution in
which the absorption of environmental pollutants from this organ is equivalent to the respiratory
uptake. Research on the skin has provided evidence that traffic-related air pollutants, especially
PAHs, VOCs, oxides, and PM affect skin aging and cause pigmented spots on the face.

Theoretically, toxic air pollutants can cause damage to organs when inhaled or absorbed through
the skin. Some of these pollutants are hepatocarcinogen chemicals. There are some proven data
which highlighted the role of air pollutants, especially traffic-related air pollution on the incidence
of autism and its related disorders in fetus and children. Disrupting endocrine by chemical
components of pollutants has been described as a possible mechanistic pathway of autism or other
neurological disorders. Some studies showed that there are relationships between air pollution
exposure and fetal head size in late pregnancy, fetal growth, and low birth weight.

Eye Dysfunction
The eye is a neglected vulnerable organ to the adverse effects of air suspended contaminants even
household air pollution. Clinical effects of air pollution on the eyes can vary from asymptomatic
eye problems to dry eye syndrome. Chronic exposure to air pollutants increases the risk for
retinopathy and adverse ocular outcomes. In addition, there are now evidence suggesting the
association between air pollution and irritation of the eyes, dry eye syndrome, and some of the
major blinding. According to data, the level of air pollution is linked to short-term increases in the
number of people visiting the ophthalmological emergency department.

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