The Structure of Air By Natalie Rasic

1. The Structure of AirBy Natalie Rasic Definition of Air Pollution What is in the Air Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor Air Pollution Who is Affected by Air Pollution? Asthma Lung Disease Heart Disease

2. Definition of Air Pollution Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in dangerous amounts. That is, amounts which could be dangerous to the health or comfort of humans and animals, or which could cause damage to plants and materials. The substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants. Pollutants that are pumped into our atmosphere, and directly pollute the air are called primary pollutants. E.g., carbon monoxide from car exhausts and sulphur dioxide from the combustion of coal. Further pollution can arise if primary pollutants in the atmosphere undergo chemical reactions. The resulting compounds are called secondary pollutants. Click here to go back to home page. Next

3. What is in the Air? Nitrogen (N2): 78.09% Oxygen (O2): 20.95% Argon (Ar): 0.93% Carbon dioxide (CO2): 0.038% Others (less than 0.002% each): Neon (Ne), Helium (He), Krypton (Kr), Hydrogen (H2), Xenon (Xe). There are also harmful things in the air we breathe. Like car exhaust fumes, waste from factories, et cetera. All these things contribute to breathing problems, and diseases like asthma, which, currently, about 4 out of 20 Australians suffer from. Click here to go back to home page. Back Next

4. Outdoor Air Pollution Outdoor air is also known as ambient air. Sources of air pollution that contribute to poor outdoor air quality are generally caused by combustion processes. This includes motor vehicle emissions, solid fuel burning and industrial processes. Evaporation of petroleum-based compounds can also contribute to outdoor air pollution. In the summer months, especially for metropolitan Sydney, a significant amount of air pollution is caused by the evaporation of petrol and other fuels from the car fleet and fuel distribution network. Common outdoor air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ground level ozone and particulate matter. Air toxics are pollutants known or suspected to cause serious health effects such as cancer. These pollutants are also referred to as hazardous air pollutants. They are present in the air in low concentrations as either gaseous, aerosol or particulate pollutants. Click here to go back to home page Back Next

5. Indoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution can pose a risk to health. As we spend so much time in our homes, it is important that the air is as clean as possible. Indoor air pollution can come from outdoors, or from sources in homes. Common pollutants from outdoors are fine particles and nitrogen dioxide. Common sources of pollutants in homes are: • Tobacco Smoking • Wood Heaters • Unflued gas heating appliances. • Mould or dampness Unflued gas heating appliances are heaters that burn fuel in the home, with no vent to remove the fumes, e.g., portable gas heaters. Click here to go to home page Back Next

6. Who is Affected by Air Pollution? Everyone can potentially be affected by air pollution when concentrations of pollutants are very high. Research shows that different groups of people are sensitive to different types of air pollution. The types of air pollution that reach high concentrations in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan region are most likely to affect people with: • asthma • lung disease: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis • heart (cardiovascular) disease: angina, partially blocked arteries, strokes Different pollutants affect these sensitive groups differently. Children and adults with lung disease, like asthma and COPD can be sensitive to ozone. Ground-level ozone can aggravate asthma and bronchitis and cause coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, painful or difficult breathing, and premature aging of the lung. Older adults, children and those with heart and lung disease can be sensitive to particles. Particle pollution can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause chronic bronchitis, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and painful or difficult breathing, aggravate asthma, and even result in premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Click to go back to home page Back Next

7. Asthma Air pollution can make it harder to breathe. It can also cause other symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, and a burning feeling in the lungs. Several air pollutants can affect asthma. In the Sydney region the two key air pollutants for people with asthma are ozone and particles. When ozone and particle pollution is high, adults and children with asthma are more likely to have symptoms. Air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger attacks. People with asthma will generally experience health effects earlier and at lower ozone levels than less sensitive individuals. Ozone can aggravate asthma. When ozone levels are high, more people with asthma have attacks that require a doctor's attention or the use of additional medication. Ozone makes people more sensitive to allergens, which are the most common triggers for asthma attacks. People with asthma are also more severely affected by the reduced lung function and irritation that ozone causes in the respiratory system. Click here to go to home page Back Next

8. Lung Disease If you have lung disease, you may not be able to breathe as deeply as normal, and you may experience coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue. Ozone can irritate your respiratory system, causing you to start coughing, feel an irritation in your throat and/or experience an uncomfortable sensation in your chest. It can reduce lung function and make it more difficult for you to breathe as deeply as you normally would. When this happens, you may notice that breathing starts to feel uncomfortable. If you are exercising or working outdoors, you may notice that you are taking more rapid and shallow breaths than normal. Ozone can inflame and damage cells that line your lungs. Within a few days, the damaged cells are replaced and the old cells are shed-much in the way your skin peels after sunburn. Click here to go to home page Back Next

9. Heart Disease If you have heart disease, particle exposure can cause serious problems, even heart attacks. People with heart diseases, such as congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease, are more likely to visit emergency rooms, be admitted to hospitals, or in some cases, even die. When exposed to particle pollution, people with heart disease may experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Particle pollution has also been associated with cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks. If you have any of these symptoms, follow your doctor's advice. People with cardiovascular disease, such as angina, are most at risk from carbon monoxide. This is because carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and binds to haemoglobin, the substance in blood that carries oxygen to cells. Carbon monoxide actually reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the body's organs and tissues. You may experience chest pain and other cardiovascular symptoms if exposed to carbon monoxide, particularly while exercising. Click here to go to home page Back Next