Diseases caused by polluted air
Заболевания, вызываемые загрязненным воздухом 08.10.2019

Among the problems of the natural environment, the problem of atmospheric air occupies a special place. As a result of human activity, a large number of various anthropogenic substances enter the atmosphere, which leads to changes in the chemical composition of the air.

Based on the scale of impact, this problem can be distinguished between local, regional and global pollution. Local pollution poses an important problem for cities and industrial areas. There are mainly three sources of pollution in urban areas - industry, domestic boilers and vehicles. The most significant levels of pollution are observed for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, dust and carbon. The share of these contaminants reaches 85%. The rest is accounted for by substances that are associated with the operation of specific enterprises. These include: hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, carbon disulfide, ammonia and fluorine compounds.

Our health largely depends on what we breathe. A person may not immediately feel the effects of harmful substances that pollute the air. Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide has no taste, color or smell. At the same time, gradually accumulating in hemoglobin, carbon monoxide interferes with the flow of oxygen into the blood. In addition, high concentrations of this substance can cause serious consequences, including heart paralysis. Commonly occurring nitric oxide, odorless and colorless, is highly toxic. This gas is released in large quantities when oil and coal are burned. The main sources of nitrogen oxide emissions are industrial and chemical plants. The effect of nitric oxide on humans is manifested in irritation of the respiratory system. This gas causes swelling of the lungs and dilation of the arteries. Even a small concentration of it leads to bronchial disease and other similar diseases.

Lead has another adverse effect on humans. This substance enters the atmosphere mainly as a result of incomplete combustion of fuel in gasoline engines. The gradual accumulation of lead in the body causes nervous disorders, anemia and blindness. Acute lead poisoning leads to impaired hemoglobin synthesis and kidney disease. When both gasoline and diesel engines operate, carbon is generated. These substances cause irritation of the mucous membrane and make breathing difficult. Also, due to air pollution in cities, the population may experience psychosomatic disorders: weakness and absent-mindedness, sleep disorders.

Air pollution also includes the accumulation of dust in the air, which gets there when burning solid fuel rich in ash substances. As a result of the concentration of atmospheric aerosols, especially over large cities, the transparency of the atmosphere to sunlight and ultraviolet rays is significantly reduced. This can lead to UV deficiency. Ultraviolet radiation is a prerequisite for normal human life. It kills microorganisms on human skin, prevents rickets, and increases the body’s resistance to infectious and other diseases.

Based on the above, the following question arises: How can we reduce the harmful effects of harmful substances in the air on the body in everyday life? To do this, you should follow some rules: first of all, you need to learn to breathe through your nose; the nasal mucosa with many cilia collects most of the dust and germs, preventing them from entering the lungs. You should refrain from jogging on city streets, near highways, factories, and take shallow breaths. Since the air is filled with harmful and dangerous substances, deep breathing gradually pollutes the lung tissue with harmful substances. In our century, any established ecological system can be destroyed many times faster than, say, a hundred years ago. Atomic explosions, chemical plants, various plants for the extraction of lead, copper and a number of other minerals, operating without proper environmental measures, can quickly create a lifeless environment around them. I.P. Borodin, a famous Russian scientist, said: “Nature is as unique as Raphael’s paintings; it is easy to destroy, but almost impossible to recreate.”

Dzhambutinova I.M.
Specialist of the Burabay district
branch of the RSE branch on the PVC "NTsE" KKK BTU Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
in the Akmola region

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