Question.
What are the effects of air pollution on human health?
(NCERT class 12 geography, India People and Economy, Chapter-12: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems)
Answer.
When the air gets contaminated with unwanted substances and the polluted air is harmful to both living and non-living things then it is called air pollution.
Carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (Co2), methane (Ch4), and sulfur dioxide (So2) are the major air pollutants.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the biggest killer in Southeast Asia. Every year 8 lakh people die from air pollution worldwide. Following are the major effects of air pollution on human health:
Air pollutants such as nitrous oxide (NOx) cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and impair lung functions.
Air pollutants such as ozone, dust, and oxides of nitrogen cause breathing problems and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
Air pollutants such as sulfur oxides affect the nervous and respiratory systems, and they also cause headaches and anxiety.
Air pollutants such as particulate matter cause lung cancer.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas and exposure to carbon monoxide can cause death because it reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Air pollutants such as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen cause acid rain, and exposure to acid rain can lead to skin diseases such as skin cancer.
Combustion of fossil fuels in coal power plants produces sulfur dioxide, which causes respiratory problems and can permanently damage the lungs.
Smog is a combination of smoke (due to nitrous oxide) and fog. Smog causes breathing difficulties such as asthma, cough, and wheezing in children.
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