The Harmful Effects of Air Pollution on Health and Environment

A major problem that India is facing at present is the alarming level of air pollution. A recent report published by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an environmental think tank, revealed that the life expectancy in India decreased by 2.6 years. The deadly diseases caused by air pollution are one of the major reasons for the reduction in life expectancy. At present, air pollution is the third highest cause of death among the different types of health risks in India. Not just on human health, but air pollution also has a negative impact on the environment.

Besides this, the indoor air also gets contaminated due to outdoor air pollution. Hence, to breathe pure and fresh air, one must get an Air Purifier for home. KENT’s Alps+ UV Air Purifier is manufactured with advanced technology that provides an environment where viruses, germs, and bacteria cannot survive.

Let’s first understand the harmful impact of air pollution on the environment and human health.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

Air pollution is increasing rapidly. The adverse effects of air pollution on human health are not unknown. In this post, you can find how air pollution impacts the environment and your health.

• Higher Risk of Hypertension in Women
• Affects Cardiovascular Health
• Asthma and COPD
• Preterm Birth

1. Higher Risk of Hypertension in Women

Research published in the Epidemiology journal indicated that women exposed to high levels of pollution have a higher risk of suffering from hypertension.  Women who are exposed to fine PM and black carbon above 10 µg/m³ develop hypertension. Air pollution can also cause inflammation and oxidative stress.

2. Affects Cardiovascular Health

Air pollution also affects cardiovascular health as it hardens the arteries. This also increases the risk of heart attack and strokes. The particulate matter present in the respiratory tract spread to the other areas of the body and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.

3. Asthma and COPD

Inhaling particulate matter irritates the tissues in the nasal cavity, which leads to cough and runny nose. When the fine particles travel down the airways into the lungs, it leads to infection. This can also lead to inflammation, thereby causing shortness of breath. People who suffer from asthma and or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a higher risk.

4. Preterm Birth

Air pollution is dangerous for pregnant women. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy increases toxic chemicals in the blood and causes stress on the immune system. This weakens the placenta that surrounds the fetus and leads to preterm birth.

Ways to prevent airborne diseases

To stay safe from the harmful effects of air pollution, you must take some necessary precautions. An air purifier is a must for your home to ensure you breathe fresh indoor air. Air purifiers purify the indoor air by killing harmful viruses, bacteria, and germs in the air. However, make sure you choose an air purifier that fits your requirements and budget. You can purchase from a wide range of air purifiers offered by KENT, i.e., KENT Alps+ UV Air Purifier, KENT Aura Air Purifier, and KENT Alps Air Purifier. Below are the key features of KENT Air Purifiers.

• Kent Air Purifiers have a high-efficiency antibacterial coated HEPA filter with a 3-stage mechanism that removes 99% dust particles and 2.5 particulate matter from the home air.
• The air purifiers have an in-built ionizer that helps increase air freshness and an activated carbon filter that effectively removes the odour.

Environmental Effects of Air Pollution

In addition to harming human health, air pollution also harms the environment. Here are some of the environmental effects of air pollution:

• Acid Rain
• Ozone Depletion
• Climate Change
• Crop and Forest Damage

1. Acid Rain

Acid rain is mainly precipitation that contains harmful amounts of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxides are released into the environment as a result of burning fossil fuels, which forms these acids. These acids fall on Earth’s surface in the wet form (rain, snow, fog) or dry precipitation ( gases and particulates). Acid rain damages trees and makes water unsuitable for aquatic life and also harms wildlife.

2. Ozone Depletion

Ozone gas occurs both on the ground level and in Earth’s upper atmosphere (stratosphere). Ground-level ozone harms human health. A report showed Delhi and some other parts of India have witnessed a spike in the levels of ground-level ozone as a result of the extreme weather conditions. The “good” ozone present in the upper atmosphere of Earth is gradually depleting. Thinning of the protective layer can lead to skin cancer, and cataract, and harm to the immune system.

3. Climate Change

The naturally occurring gases on the Earth’s surface maintain a balance in temperature. However, humans have disturbed this natural balance, thanks to the excessive production of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. The Earth’s atmosphere traps more sun’s heat, which is the reason why there has been a rise in the temperatures.

4. Crop and Forest Damage

Ground-level ozone affects the yields of agricultural crops and commercial forests. This also stuns the growth and sustainability of tree seedlings. The plants are also susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses.

Some measures you must take to minimize outdoor air pollution

When it comes to outdoor pollution, there are a lot of steps that you can take to improve the situation. Planting more trees and curbing vehicular pollution can help control outdoor air pollution. Also, wearing a mask while going out can help prevent harmful airborne diseases.

Last Few Words

The increasing level of air pollution has an impact on indoor air quality as well. This is the reason why you need to take the right steps to control both indoor and outdoor pollution. When it comes to outdoor pollution, there are a lot of steps that you can take to improve the situation. Planting more trees, and curbing vehicular pollution are some of the ways that can help in controlling pollution. For indoor air, make sure you use a HEPA air purifier, which effectively catches and traps 99.97% of pollutants. As indoor air is 5-10 times more polluted than the outdoor air installing an air purifier is a necessity. To find out more about the range of air purifiers from KENT.