Monday, September 14, 2009

THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION

Smog and other types of air pollution can lead to or aggravate respiratory, heart, and other health problems. It can beparticularly harmful to people with existing lung or heart disease, the elderly, and the very young. Some fail to meet one or more federal airquality standards during some portion of the year. However, not everyone who lives in such areas will have health problems. Level, extent, and duration of exposure, age, individual susceptibility, and other factors play a significant role in determining whether or not someone will experience pollution-related health problems. Since polluted air can move from one area or region to another, it has the potential toaffect virtually all of us.
Acid rain which is caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combining with moisture in the air, limits the ability of lakes to support aquatic life, may damage trees and plants, and erodes building surfaces and national monuments. Pollutants in the air can also reduce visibility, obscuring the majestic vistas in national parks such as Grand Canyon and Shenandoah.
Other air pollutants--called "air toxics"--are known or suspectedto cause cancer or other serious heath effects, such as damage torespiratory or nervous systems. Air toxics include metals,particles, and certain vapors from fuels and other sources.

No comments:

Post a Comment