The effect of air pollution on the health of the respiratory tract

The effect of air pollution on the health of the respiratory tract

I. The components of air pollution and their sources

Air pollution is a complex mixture of solid particles, liquid drops and gases in the atmosphere. These pollutants can be of natural or anthropogenic origin, but the main threat to the health of the respiratory tract is pollution associated with human activities.

• Solid particles (PM): PM relate to solid and liquid particles balanced in the air. They are classified depending on their diameter, the most common are PM10 (particles with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers) and PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers). PM2.5 are especially dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even blood flow.

  • Sources PM: The main sources of PM are the burning of fossil fuel (transport, power plants), industrial processes, construction, agriculture, forest fires and dust storms. The PM also includes components of the wear of car tires and brake pads.
  • Chemical composition PM: The PM composition varies depending on the source and location. It can include soot, sulfates, nitrates, organic compounds, metals and mineral dust.

• Gaseous pollutants: These include various gases that pollute the air and can cause irritation and damage to the respiratory tract.

  • Ozon (O3): Ozone in the troposphere (squat ozone) is formed when pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (los), react in the presence of sunlight. He is the main component of SUM.
  • Nitrogen oxides (Nox): NOX, mainly nitrogen oxide (No) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are formed during the burning of fossil fuel, especially in automobile engines and at power plants.
  • Sulfur dioxide (SO2): SO2 is formed during the burning of fossil fuel containing sulfur, such as coal and oil. It is also released in some industrial processes, such as metal smelting.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO): Co is formed with incomplete combustion of fossil fuel. The main sources are road transport and industrial processes.
  • Flying organic compounds (los): The elk includes a wide range of organic chemicals that evaporate into the air. They are released from various sources, such as solvents, paints, varnishes, gasoline and natural gas.
  • Ammonia (NH3): Ammonia is mainly distinguished from agriculture, especially from livestock and the use of fertilizers.

• Allergens and Bioerosoli: Although they are not always classified as air pollutants in a strict sense, allergens and bioerosoli can also significantly affect the health of the respiratory tract.

  • Plant pollen: Pollen is a common allergen, which can cause allergic rhinitis (saint fever) and asthma.
  • Spores of mold: Spores of mold are also common allergens and can cause respiratory symptoms in sensitive people.
  • Bacteria and viruses: Bacteria and viruses can spread through the air and cause respiratory infections.
  • Particles from animals: Wool, saliva and other particles from pets can cause allergic reactions and asthma.

II. The mechanisms of exposure to contaminated air on the airways

Air pollution can affect the respiratory tract in various ways, causing inflammation, oxidative stress and cell damage.

• Inflammation of the respiratory tract: Inhaling air pollutants, especially PM and gaseous pollutants, can cause an inflammatory reaction in the respiratory tract.

  • Activation of immune cells: Air pollutants activate immune cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils that release inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokins.
  • Increasing the permeability of the epithelium: Inflammation increases the permeability of the epithelium of the respiratory tract, which allows pollutants and allergens easier to penetrate into the tissues of the lungs.
  • Bronchoconstriction: Inflammation can lead to bronchoconstrictor (narrowing of the respiratory tract), complicating breathing.

• Oxidizing stress: Some air pollutants, such as ozone and PM, can cause oxidative stress in the lungs.

  • Free radical formation: Air pollutants can stimulate the formation of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells.
  • Violation of the balance of antioxidants: Oxidative stress disrupts the balance between free radicals and antioxidants, which leads to damage to cells and tissues.
  • DNA damage: Free radicals can damage DNA, which increases the risk of lung cancer.

• Cell damage: Air pollutants can directly damage the respiratory tract cells.

  • Damage to epithelial cells: Epithelial cells lift the respiratory tract and protect the lungs from damage. Air pollutants can damage epithelial cells, which leads to a violation of their function.
  • Damage to alveolar cells: Alveolar cells are responsible for gas exchange in the lungs. Air pollutants can damage alveolar cells, which leads to a decrease in the function of the lungs.
  • Fibroz: The chronic effect of contaminated air can lead to fibrosis (the formation of scar tissue) in the lungs, which complicates breathing.

• Violation of mucociliary clearance: Mucociliary clearance is a process that removes mucus and particles from the respiratory tract. Air pollutants can violate mucociliary clearance, which leads to the accumulation of mucus and increases the risk of infections.

  • Ciliary damage: Eils are small hairs that lift the respiratory tract and help to move mucus. Air pollutants can damage the cilia, which reduces the effectiveness of mucociliary clearance.
  • Change in mucus viscosity: Air pollutants can change the viscosity of mucus, which makes it difficult to remove from the respiratory tract.

III. Respiratory diseases associated with air pollution

Air pollution is a risk factor for the development and exacerbation of various respiratory diseases.

• Asthma: Astma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, which is characterized by bronchocontrol, increased sensitivity of the respiratory tract and mucus formation.

  • Astma symptoms deterioration: Air pollution, especially PM and ozone, can cause a deterioration in asthma symptoms, such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and constraint in the chest.
  • Increase in the frequency of asthma attacks: Air pollution can increase the frequency of asthma attacks requiring hospitalization.
  • Astma development: The effect of contaminated air in early childhood can increase the risk of asthma.

• Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD): Cobble is a progressive lung disease, which is characterized by a limitation of air flow and damage to the tissues of the lungs. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

  • Increase in the risk of COPD development: Long -term exposure to contaminated air, especially PM and sulfur dioxide, increases the risk of COPD.
  • Walker Film: Air pollution can cause exacerbation of COPD, which leads to a deterioration in symptoms, such as cough, the formation of sputum and shortness of breath.
  • Acceleration of progression of COPD: Air pollution can accelerate the progression of COPD, which leads to a more rapid decrease in the function of the lungs.

• Respiratory infections: Air pollution can increase the susceptibility to respiratory tract infections.

  • Damage to the immune system: Air pollutants can damage the immune system, which reduces the body’s ability to fight infections.
  • Violation of mucociliary clearance: Air pollution disrupts the mucociliary clearance, which leads to the accumulation of mucus and creates a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria and viruses.
  • Increase in the severity of infections: Air pollution can increase the severity of respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

• Lung cancer: Long -term exposure to contaminated air, especially PM2.5 and some chemicals contained in contaminated air, increases the risk of lung cancer.

  • DNA damage: Air pollutants can damage DNA, which increases the risk of cancer.
  • Inflammation: Chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract caused by air pollution can contribute to the development of lung cancer.
  • Sinergic effect with smoking: Air pollution and smoking have a synergistic effect, significantly increasing the risk of lung cancer.

• Other respiratory diseases: Air pollution is also associated with other respiratory tract diseases, such as:

  • Allergic rhinitis (hay fever): Air pollution can enhance allergic reactions to pollen and other allergens.
  • Fibrosis of the lungs: Long -term exposure to contaminated air can lead to lung fibrosis.
  • Bronchiolitis that enlargement: This rare type of lung disease, characterized by blockage of small respiratory tract, can also be associated with the effects of contaminated air.
  • Pneumoconiosis: Pneumoconiosis is a group of lung diseases caused by inhalation of mineral dust. Some types of pneumoconiosis, such as silicosis and asbestosis, are associated with professional exposure, but air pollution can also contribute to the development of these diseases.

IV. Groups of the population, most vulnerable to contaminated air

Some groups of the population are more vulnerable to polluted air than others.

• Children: Children are more vulnerable to contaminated air, since their respiratory tracts are not yet fully developed, and they breathe more often than adults.

  • Increased exposition: Children often spend more time outdoors than adults, which increases their exposure to contaminated air.
  • Developing lungs: The respiratory tract of children is still developing, and the effects of contaminated air can disturb this process.
  • Higher respiratory rate: Children breathe more often than adults, which leads to a larger number of pollutants entering their lungs.
  • Weak immune system: The immune system of children is not yet fully developed, which makes them more susceptible to respiratory tract infections caused by air pollution.
  • Risks for the development of the nervous system: Some studies show that air pollution can affect the development of the nervous system in children.

• Elderly people: Older people are also more vulnerable to contaminated air, since their immune system is weakened, and they often suffer from chronic respiratory diseases.

  • Weakened immune system: The immune system of the elderly is weakened, which makes them more susceptible to respiratory tract infections.
  • Chronic diseases: Older people often suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, such as COPD and asthma, which can aggravate air pollution.
  • Reduced lung function: The function of the lungs with age decreases, which makes the elderly more susceptible to contaminated air.

• People with chronic respiratory diseases: People with chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, such as asthma and COPD, are more vulnerable to contaminated air, since their respiratory tracts are already inflamed and damaged.

  • Increased sensitivity: The respiratory tract of people with chronic respiratory diseases are more sensitive to the effects of air pollutants.
  • Deterioration of symptoms: Air pollution can cause a deterioration in the symptoms of chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and constraint in the chest.
  • Increasing the frequency of exacerbations: Air pollution can increase the frequency of exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases requiring hospitalization.

• People with cardiovascular diseases: Air pollution can also negatively affect the cardiovascular system, and people with cardiovascular diseases are more vulnerable to these effects.

  • Increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes: Air pollution can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
  • Exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases: Air pollution can cause exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease and heart failure.

• Pregnant women: The effect of contaminated air during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the health of the mother and child.

  • Premature birth and low birth weight: Air pollution is associated with premature birth and low birth weight.
  • Problems with the development of lungs in a child: The effect of contaminated air during pregnancy can disrupt the development of the lungs in a child.
  • An increased risk of asthma in a child: Children exposed to contaminated air during pregnancy have an increased risk of asthma.

• People living in areas with a high level of pollution: People living in areas with a high level of pollution are at a greater risk of developing respiratory tract diseases.

  • Cities with intensive movement: Cities with intensive traffic often have a high level of air pollution, especially PM and nitrogen oxides.
  • Industrial areas: Industrial areas also often have a high level of air pollution, especially sulfur dioxide and PM.
  • Areas subject to forest fires and dust storms: Areas subject to forest fires and dust storms can also have a high level of air pollution.

• People with low socio-economic status: Often live in areas with a higher level of pollution and have limited access to medical care, which makes them especially vulnerable.

V. Methods for assessing the effects of contaminated air on the health of the respiratory tract

There are various methods for assessing the effects of contaminated air on the health of the respiratory tract.

• Epidemiological studies: Epidemiological studies study the relationship between air pollution and incidence and mortality from respiratory diseases.

  • Coirs: Current studies monitor a group of people in time to determine whether their disease develops depending on their level of exposure to contaminated air.
  • Case-control research: Research of case-control compare people with a disease (cases) with people without a disease (control) to determine whether cases have been subjected to a greater effect of contaminated air than controls.
  • Temporary series: The analysis of the time series studies daily or weekly changes in the incidence and mortality from respiratory diseases due to changes in the level of air pollution.

• Biomarkers: Biomarkers are biological indicators that may indicate the effects of contaminated air and its effect on the health of the respiratory tract.

  • Inflammatory mediators: The levels of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokin, in the blood or sputum can be used to assess the inflammation of the respiratory tract caused by air pollution.
  • Oxidizing stress: The levels of oxidative stress markers, such as Mornonnone dyalldehyde (MDA), in the blood or urine can be used to assess oxidative stress caused by air pollution.
  • DNA damage: DNA damage levels, such as 8-ohoguanin, in the blood or urine can be used to assess DNA damage caused by air pollution.

• Monitoring of the functions of the lungs: Monitoring of the functions of the lungs can be used to assess the effect of contaminated air on the function of the lungs.

  • Spirometry: Spirometry measures the volume of air that a person can exhale, and the speed with which he can exhale air.
  • Explosion peak speed (PSV): PSV measures the maximum speed with which a person can exhale air.
  • Plesmography of the body: Platismography of the body measures the total volume of air in the lungs.

• Exposure on animals: Studies on animals allow us to study the mechanisms of exposure to polluted air on the respiratory tract and evaluate potential therapeutic interventions.

VI. Measures to reduce the effects of contaminated air on the health of the respiratory tract

There are various measures that can be taken to reduce the effects of polluted air on the health of the respiratory tract.

• At the individual level:

  • Air quality monitoring: Follow local news and sites about the quality of air to know when the level of air pollution is high.
  • Avoid open air activities: In days with a high level of air pollution, avoid open air activities, especially intense exercises.
  • Use face mask: Wear the N95 or KN95 face mask to protect yourself from solid particles if you need to be outdoors in days with a high level of air pollution.
  • Keep the windows and doors closed: Keep the windows and doors closed to prevent contaminated air from entering your house.
  • Use air cleaner: Use air cleaner with a Hepa filter to remove solid particles from the air in your house.
  • Limit the use of wood fireplaces and furnaces: Drew fireplaces and furnaces can distinguish a significant amount of solid particles into the air.
  • Do not smoke and avoid passive smoking: Smoking is the main source of air pollution indoors.
  • Consult a doctor: If you have respiratory diseases, talk with your doctor about how to protect yourself from air pollution.

• At the level of community and government:

  • Tighten air quality standards: Governments should tighten the standards of air quality and ensure their observance.
  • Reducing emissions from vehicles: Promoting the use of public transport, electric vehicles and bicycles, as well as the introduction of more stringent standards of emissions for vehicles.
  • Reducing emissions from industry: The introduction of more stringent standards of emissions for industrial enterprises and encouraging the use of cleaner technologies.
  • Promoting the use of renewable energy sources: The transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, to reduce emissions from the burning of fossil fuel.
  • Improving urban planning: Cities planning in such a way as to reduce traffic jams and create green spaces for air filtration.
  • Public informing: Giving the public information about the quality of air and measures that they can take to protect their health.
  • International cooperation: Cooperation with other countries to solve the problem of cross -border air pollution.
  • Research support: Financing research for a better understanding of the effect of air pollution on health and develop more effective methods of reducing air pollution.
  • Development of early warning systems: Development of early warning systems about air pollution so that people can take measures to protect their health.

VII. Future research areas

Further studies are needed for a deeper understanding of the effect of air pollution on the health of the respiratory tract and the development of more effective measures to reduce this effect.

• Long -term effects of polluted air: Additional studies are needed to study the long -term effects of the effects of contaminated air on the health of the respiratory tract, especially in relation to the development of chronic diseases and mortality.
• The influence of ultramella particles: Additional studies are needed to study the influence of ultramella particles (particles with a diameter of less than 0.1 micrometer) on the health of the respiratory tract. These particles can penetrate even deeper into the lungs and have a more pronounced effect on health.
• Interaction between air pollution and other risk factors: Additional studies are needed to study the interaction between air pollution and other risk factors, such as smoking, obesity and genetic predisposition, in the development of respiratory tract diseases.
• Individual susceptibility: Additional studies are needed to determine the factors that make some people more susceptible to contaminated air than others.
• Development of new methods of reducing air pollution: Additional studies are needed to develop new and more effective methods for reducing air pollution, such as carbon capture and air removal technology.
• Assessment of the effectiveness of measures to reduce air pollution: Additional studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of various measures to reduce air pollution in improving the health of the respiratory tract.
• Using big data and artificial intelligence: The use of big data and artificial intelligence to predict the quality of the air and assess the effects of air pollution on the public health.
• Development of individualized protection strategies: Development of individualized protection strategies for people with increased sensitivity to air pollution.
• Studying the effect of air pollution on the microbia of the respiratory tract: The respiratory tract microbia plays an important role in the health of the lungs. Additional studies are needed to study the effect of air pollution on the composition and function of the respiratory tract.
• Assessment of the economic efficiency of measures to reduce air pollution: Conducting an economic assessment of measures to reduce air pollution to justify investment in these measures.
• Risk communication: Improving the communication of air pollution risks to inform the public and stimulate taking health measures.
• Increased awareness of the problem of air pollution: Conducting educational campaigns to increase public awareness about the problem of air pollution and its effect on health.

VIII. Conclusion (do not include, as indicated in the instructions)

IX. References (do not include, as indicated in the instructions)

X. Authors (do not include, as indicated in the instructions)