When the Air Is Not Fit to Breathe Health Effects of Air Pollution

Goblet cell (secreting mucus) Epithelial cell Cilia Goblet cell (secreting mucus) Nasal cavity Oral cavity Pharynx (throat) Mucus Trachea (windpipe) Bronchioles Bronchus Alveolar duct Right lung Figure 19.14 Major components of the human respiratory system. Alveoli Alveolar sac (sectioned) Bronchioles Fig. 19-14, p. 455

Air pollution has varying degrees of impact s upon human health

HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION There are three main lung diseases that air pollution can cause or exacerbate: Emphysema – This disease occurs when the small air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs either burst or are severely damaged.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION Normal human lungs (left) and the lungs of a person who died of emphysema (right). Figure 19-15

Bronchitis – This disease occurs when viruses and bacteria infect lung tissue causing a buildup of mucus that inhibits breathing.

Asthma – Asthma attacks occur when particulates such as pollen or dust cause an allergic reaction in which the air passageways in the lungs constrict and make breathing nearly impossible.

Cancer – many kinds of lung cancer can be initiated by air pollution and smoking

Children are especially susceptible to air pollution because they have faster metabolisms than adults and breath in twice as much air relative to their body size.

The elderly are vulnerable to air pollution because of weakened immune systems.

According to autopsies done by the government, 50% of all Americans have lung damage due to air pollution.

In the United States, health and productivity loses due to air pollution cost over $150 billion a year.

Premature deaths due to both indoor and outdoor air pollution range from 150,000 to 350,000 each year in the United States.

Air Pollution is a Big Killer Spatial distribution of premature deaths from air pollution in the United States. Figure 19-16

The End

HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION Your respiratory system can help protect you from air pollution, but some air pollutants can overcome these defenses. Figure 19-14

Air Pollution is a Big Killer According to the EPA, each year more than 125,000 Americans get cancer from breathing diesel fumes.

Air Pollution is a Big Killer World wide each year, air pollution prematurely kills about 3 million people, mostly from indoor air pollution in developing countries.