Meteorological environments Dr Paul T Francis, MD Community Medicine College of Medicine, Zawia

Contents Air pollution Temperature

Air Man lives in ‘air’ Man breathes air, smells through air, hears through air, air cools his/her body, we can speak through air Diseases spread through air Aeroplanes fly through air Sailing Ship/boat move because of air

Composition of air Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21% Carbon dioxide 0.03% Argon, xenon, helium, water vapour, dust etc.

Air pollution Excessive concentration of foreign matter in the atmosphere which is harmful to man and other living organisms Sources of air pollution Automobiles Industries Domestic sources

Sources of Air pollution

A factory polluting the atmosphere

Health effects of air pollution Immediate Discomfort, cough, breathlessness, bronchitis, irritation of eye etc. Long term effects Chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, asthma

Prevention Containment – Preventing pollutants entering the atmosphere Replacement – Using technology which does not cause pollution Dilution – Planting more trees around sources of air pollution Legislation – Making rules to prevent air pollution

Thermal comfort Effective temperature – is an index which combines temperature, humidity and movement of air Comfortable and cool – 20-25oC Hot and uncomfortable – 27-28oC

Summary It is important to have clean air to prevent diseases and remain healthy Sources of air pollution are industries, automobiles and homes Air pollution can be prevented by using better techniques to reduce polluting products, planting more trees