SOURCE: Total Environment Centre's (TEC) web
site
http://tec.nccnsw.org.au/member/tec/projects/tcye/detail/Environment/airpo
lhea_04.html
HOW DOES AIR POLLUTION AFFECT HEALTH?
Investigating the effect of complex mixtures of chemicals on the
human body poses major difficulties. Each person responds
differently to chemicals, especially people with particular
sensitivities, and chemicals themselves do not cause a response
in isolation. There are often synergistic reactions - the effect
of a mixture may be greater than the effect of the parts.
Chemicals can also act sequentially: for example the effect of
allergens (like pollen) is increased if there has previously been
exposure to another pollutant (such as ozone).
Air pollution is of particular concern for those with
pre-existing respiratory ailments and the major pollutants have
significant effects on lung function. In Australia, one in four
children are asthmatic as are one in ten adults. Australia has
one of the highest death rates from asthma in the world.
Children are the most severely affected by pollution. Under three
years old, they breathe in twice as much air as adults for each
kilogram of body weight. Their airways are narrower and so more
vulnerable to constriction.
Changes in lung function are apparently reversible. However, it
appears that chronic effects from long-term, low-level exposure
may occur. These include emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic
obstructive lung disease and mortality.
A related ailment is hayfever, which is also a response to
allergens. Similar results are appearing as for asthma, with an
increase in its occurrence in highly polluted areas. Other groups
who may be affected are athletes and
those who do hard physical work. Their lung function suffers
during high pollution days and their performance
is significantly reduced with ozone exposure.
The pollutants in air can affect every organ of the body.
Substances as benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) and lead in fuels, chemicals (chlorinated solvents) from
dry-cleaning businesses, and organochlorine termiticides may
promote cancer. Lead may also affect the nervous system of
children.
A recent survey found that 40% of Sydney respondents felt
permanently tired and a further 20% had severe headaches; air
pollution could be a significant factor in these symptoms.
[Back to Details]
This site designed, created and programmed by:
Social Change Online Email:
support@sydney.socialchange.net.au
Last Modified: Friday, 27-Mar-98 16:25:56 EST
Toxic Chemicals in Your Environment
- a community based program of the Total Environment Centre
Web Editor: Jo Immig, email toencen@magna.com.au
last update 24 Oct 1999
This page is maintained by
The Rivermouth Action Group Inc
as a community service.