7.4 Air Quality & Health
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
12:22 PM
Types of Air Pollutants
Natural Pollutants
Man-made Pollutants
(Natural disasters)
Volcanic eruptions release Smoke from open burning.
large amounts of volcanic
ash and sulphur dioxide.
Large amounts of sulphur
dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,
carbon dioxide and
hydrocarbons produced
from forest fires.
Waste gases from factories.
Dust and dirt formed from Particulate matter (dust and
the burning of meteors.
debris) caused by mining.
Sand and soil blown up
by strong winds.
Bacteria and pollen grains
scattered in the air.
Prevent Air Pollution & Improve Air Quality
▪ Controlling the discharge of pollutants.
▪ Planting trees & creating forests.
⇢ Plants can absorb various kinds of harmful pollutants.
▪ Keeping the air fresh and clean :
(i) Keep windows open.
(ii) Maintain good ventilation.
(iii) Sweep and clean rooms and the surrounding area.
(iv) Dispose of dirty substances.
(v) Keep the environment and personal hygiene.
(vi) Plant trees and make the environment green.
The Effects of Air Pollution on the Respiratory System
▪ Respiratory diseases (pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia,
(vi) Plant trees and make the environment green.
The Effects of Air Pollution on the Respiratory System
▪ Respiratory diseases (pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia,
asthma, pulmonary emphysema, silicosis) will be resulted.
▪ The harmful substances can enter the blood through the
respiratory system and cause diseases in other body
systems.
Smoking Cigarettes
Chemicals in
Cigarette
Tar
Characteristics / Effect
- Black and sticky substance.
- Contains carcinogenic matter.
- Some will remain on the trachea
and cilia of other organs.
- Makes the cilia cling together,
causing them not being able to
function properly
Carbon monoxide
- The molecules occupy the places
where haemoglobin combines
with oxygen.
- Oxygen carried by red blood cells
will be greatly reduced / Reduce
the level of oxygen in the body
cells.
- Breathing rate and heartbeat will
be increased.
Nicotine
- Highly addictive.
- Increase the degree of excitability
of the nervous system, heart and
others.
- Increase heartbeat and blood
pressure.
▪ Effects of the chemicals in cigarretes :
(i) Damage lung tissues.
(ii) Cause emphysema.
▪ Effects of the chemicals in cigarretes :
(i) Damage lung tissues.
(ii) Cause emphysema.
⇢ Cannot get enough oxygen.
⇢ Cannot expel carbon dioxide in time.
⇢ Constantly feel short in breath.
▪ Long-term exposure to a smoking environment increases
the danger of getting heart diseases and cancer.