What Does Bad Air Quality do to Your Body?
Learn about the negative consequences of bad air quality for your health. Find out how air quality can affect your cardiovascular health, respiratory system and overall health.
Air quality is an urgent issue that affects millions of people around the world. The air we breathe has a direct effect on our health. And when we come in contact with polluted air quality, we have to face many diseases.
As a result of which, the chances of getting serious and fatal life-threatening disease increases. In this blog article, we’ll examine the different ways that bad air quality can affect your body, right from respiratory problems to heart problems. By understanding the effects will enable you to take the proper precautions and make informed choices to ensure your health.
Bad Air Quality
Bad air quality is an important environmental health issue, that affects people from all over the world. It is caused by the release of harmful pollutants into the air, including:
Particulate matter (PM)
Particulate matter(PM) refers to countless invisible particles, tiny solid, and also in the form of liquid droplets in the air that we can’t see with our naked eyes. PM can be classified by size, with PM 2.5 being the tiniest and most dangerous. Pm 2.5 particles are tiny enough that they can be absorbed into the lungs, and can also be absorbed into bloodstreams easily.
Ozone (O3)
This is an organic gas that is produced when the pollutants in the cars or vehicles in power plants, and many other sources, are able to react in the presence of sunlight. However, ozone may cause irritation to the lungs, and simultaneously cause affects worsening of respiratory disease like asthma, and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Nitrogen dioxide is a gas that is created by combustion engines as well as various industrial processes. Inhalation of NO2 mixed air can cause lung irritation and aggravate disease related to respiratory conditions.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Sulfur dioxide is a gas that is formed by burning fossil fuels such as coal. Inhalation of SO2 gas can cause irritation as well as worsen respiratory conditions.
What Does Bad Air Quality do to Your Body?
Bad air quality can be a source of many negative health effects. Also, it can cause a number of adverse health related problems, such as:
Respiratory Conditions:
Air pollution can affect the airways as well as the lungs, resulting in wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath as well as an asthma attack. Long-term exposure to polluted air increases your chances of developing chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD and lung cancer. The polluted air you breathe can have a serious effect on your respiratory system.
Harmful particles in the air, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, can get absorbed into your lungs and cause inflammation. This inflammation further can result in respiratory disease such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. People with a history of respiratory problems are more vulnerable to the negative effects of poor air quality and may be more at risk to exposure.
Heart Problems
Bad air quality can damage the lining of our blood vessels, resulting in inflammation and narrowing of the arteries. Moreover, it can also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other heart related diseases. The effects of bad air quality extend beyond your respiratory system, and affect your cardiovascular health.
If you breathe in pollutants, they easily enter your bloodstream and can cause inflammation throughout your body. This inflammation can lead to the development of the heart disease such as stroke, and high blood pressure. Long-term exposure to bad air quality further increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Neurological Problems
Bad air quality is linked to various neurological problems. Such as, a number of neurological disorders like, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and Dementia. Bad air quality can cause allergies and irritation in your nose, eyes, and throat.
Pollutants like dust mold spores and mites can cause more allergic symptoms, resulting in frequent coughing, sneezing and itchy eyes. As a result, people who already have allergies are more susceptible to these reactions and may feel more uncomfortable in bad air quality conditions.
Mental and Cognitive Health
Recent studies suggest that bad air quality can have negative effects on mental and cognitive health. Pollutants that harm the cardiovascular and respiratory systems can also be absorbed by the brain and affect its functioning.
In addition, studies have found an association between exposure to air containing pollutants and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, resulting in cognitive decline in children, moreover mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Premature Death
Bad air quality is considered to be the cause of thousands of untimely deaths every year in the world. The health effects of air pollution vary depending on the nature of the pollutant, the extent of exposure, as well as the health status of the individual. Indoor pollution can come from a variety of sources, including dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander.
Children or older adults as well as people with respiratory problems are more vulnerable to the associated adverse health effects caused by air pollution. The most polluted city in the world is Gurugram, India, with an average AQI (air quality index) of 153.
How to Protect Yourself From Bad Air Quality?
There are several numbers of ways you can do to safeguard yourself from air pollution:
Stay inside the home on days when the outside air quality is bad, though this may not be feasible to all. If you have to leave the house, wear an appropriate mask that can filter out pollutants. Make sure you choose the genuine mask that is marked with the words N95 or P100.
You may check up the air quality index (AQI) for your region on your device, or you may check on the weather report. The AQI (air quality index) 50 is considered as good. Do not exercise outdoors on days when the air quality is bad. Even though, if you choose to do so, take proper precautions.
Support policies that control bad air quality. Air pollution is an extremely serious health issue. However, there are ways that you can do to safeguard yourself.
Conclusion
The negative effects of bad air quality on your health should not be ignored. From respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases to mental health and allergy issues, air pollution can cause a variety of negative effects. Taking proactive steps to reduce your exposure to air pollution, such as improving indoor air quality and promoting a cleaner environment, can help protect your well-being and overall quality health.
