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Health Essay (Air Pollution)

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Health Essay (Air Pollution)
Air pollution affects health in many ways with both short-term and long-term effects. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in various ways - Some individuals are much more sensitive than others. People with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease also suffer more when the air is polluted. Some chemicals are more dangerous than others. They harm people in different ways (Health impacts, nd).

New research found smog in Christchurch air pollution thickens the blood and boosts irritation, increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks (Hayman, 2005).

Short - term effects of air pollution include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and upper respiratory infections such as

bronchitis. Other symptom includes headaches, nausea, and allergic reaction (Health impacts, nd).

Short - term exposure to air pollution can poorer the medical conditions of individuals with asthma. In the Great Smog disaster London in 1952, four thousand people died due to the high concentration of pollution (Health impacts, nd).

Long-term health effects include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease and even damage to brain, nerves, liver and kidneys (Health impacts, nd).

The main pollutant in indoor air pollution is (suspended particulate matter). In fact, death due to indoor air pollution in rural areas of India is one of the highest in the world (Health impacts, nd).

“A major catastrophic air pollution episode was recorded in 1984 with the release of methyl isocyanate into the air in Bhopal India. More than 1500 deaths occurred among residents of the area within four miles of the plant and thousands of people suffered temporary and permanent skin burns, eye damage, and damage to the respiratory tract and nervous system” (Vesilind, 1990, p. 255).

Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children. Furthermore, aggravates and complicates medical condition

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