Air Pollutants And Healthcare - Clean air act

Running head: - AIR POLLUTANTS AND HEALTHCARE
AIR POLLUTANTS AND HEALTHCARE
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Introduction
The Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970 has identified six common air pollutants of concern
known as criteria pollutants. The criteria pollutants are known as carbon monoxide (CO),
lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide
(SO2). Criterion pollutants are known as the only air pollutants with national air quality
standards which define permissible concentrations of these substances in ambient air. Contact
with these substances tends to cause impact on health conditions (Lioy, 2017). Health effects
mainly include heart or lung disease, respiratory damage or premature death. The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers these pollutant levels as well as the
amount of releases to consider the degree to which these pollutants have changed all through
the period. As per reports, nationwide evaluation has revealed that concentrations of major
criteria pollutants developed from 1983 till the period of 2002. Monitoring sites are
established near regions of high pollution or near pollution sources. Uninterrupted observers
measure ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), fine particle matter as well as carbon monoxide
(CO) in the size of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), particulate matter in similar size to as 10 microns
(PM10) in addition to nitrogen oxides (NOx). These observations tend to create hourly
analyses as well as measure wind speediness and direction, temperature, solar energy as well
as barometric pressure (Dep.pa.gov, 2020). The following paper will evaluate the principal
air pollutants and focus on the standards set by EPA, TCEQ and WHO for these criteria
pollutants. Additionally, the paper will evaluate the effects of indoor air pollution on human
health conditions.

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Discussion
The following list contains six criteria pollutants and effects of their exposure on human
health conditions.
Carbon Monoxide- CO is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas and known as one of the
most critical criteria pollutants for which EPA and other health and environmental
organizations have set protective standards. Studies mention that CO tends to develop its
formation when the carbon in fuels fails to burn completely (Chen et al., 2018). As per
reports, the exposure of CO can be highly detrimental as it enters the blood of humans
through the lungs and further impasses chemically to hemoglobin. In this manner, CO tends
to delay with the ability of the bloodstream to transport oxygen to the organs as well as tissue
all over the body and consequently slower impulses, creates confusion and lethargy.
Lead (Pb) - Lead is a metal which is naturally in the environment and also in industrial
products. EPA, WHO and TCEQ have established protective guidelines to reduce its harmful
effects (Lioy, 2017). Excessive release of Pb can lead to severe brain and kidney damages
along with critical mental disorders.
Ozone (O3) - Ozone is a gas which forms in the atmospheric level when three atoms of
oxygen form a combination. It is not released directly into the air but gets formed at ground
level by chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen as well as volatile organic compounds
with the rays of sunlight (Chen et al., 2018). The reactivity of ozone results in health
complications because it damages lung tissue, lessens lung function as well as alerts the lungs
to additional irritants. Reports have revealed that ambient levels of ozone not only create
impact on individuals with weakened respiratory systems like asthmatics but also on healthy
adults as well as children.
Nitrogen Dioxide- Nitrogen Dioxide is known as the highly reactive gas which is present in
almost all urban atmospheres. EPA, WHO and TCEQ have established protective guidelines

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as it tends to cause irritation to the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections. As per
reports, short term releases of NO2 can also disrupt lung functioning (Mendola et al., 2016).
Particulate Matter- PM is the term used for small particles which is found in the air. It
includes dust, dirt, smoke, and smolder in addition to liquid droplets. These particles can be
released in the air for extended periods of time. PM as a critical criteria pollutant can
accumulate in the respiratory system of humans and cause asthma.
Sulfur Dioxide- SO2 is known as the gaseous pollutant which is mainly released through the
industrial heaters or manufacturing plants burning coal or oil-holding sulfur. The main health
impacts related to the increased contacts to SO2 take in effects on inhalation as well as
respiratory disorder symptoms. However, populations which are most detrimental to the
release of sulfur dioxide consist of asthmatics in addition to individuals with chronic lung
infection or cardiovascular illness. Furthermore, SO2 can elevate the corrosion of natural and
manufactured materials which are utilized in buildings as well as monuments along with iron-
containing metals along with additional protective coatings.
EPA Guidelines set for Criteria Air Pollutants
EPA has set up national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the six major
criteria pollutants. The incidence of these pollutants in the ambient air is typically caused
because of various wide-ranging and extensive sources of releases. As per reports, under the
CAA, the EPA periodically undertakes comprehensive evaluations of the systematic
evaluation on health impacts related to the contact with these criteria air pollutants (Hajat,
Hsia & O’Neill, 2015). The Clean Air Act does not involve EPA to institute chief NAAQS at
a zero-risk level. On the other hand, it sets up guidelines at a level which lessens the risk
adequately with an agenda of safeguarding public health with an acceptable margin of safety.
Under the NAAQS evaluations, EPA offers core attention to the contact and linked health
dangers for at-risk people. Additionally, Indicator E3 is grounded on the reported Air Quality

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Index (AQI) for countries in the United States. As per report, EPA has estimated an AQI each
day in every nation for criteria air pollutant (Dep.pa.gov, 2020).
TCEQ Guidelines established for Criteria Air Pollutants
The TCEQ has various monitors which directly assess the concentrations levels of
criteria air pollutants in the United States. The TCEQ has offered air quality predictions
which involve the six criteria air pollutants. Report has mentioned that in 2019, TCEQ has
approved application of the 2015 8 hour Ozone NAAQS SIP review for the HGB, DFW, and
Bexar County Nonattainment Areas (Tceq.texas.gov, 2020). Furthermore, the TCEQ has
introduced two reviews to the Texas SIP in support of the 2015 ozone NAAQS wherein the
2015 Ozone NAAQS Infrastructure SIP revision along with the 2015 Ozone NAAQS
Transport SIP revision (Paulin & Hansel, 2016).
World Health Organization (WHO) has established protective guidelines for Criteria
Air Pollutant
In 2016, almost 91% of the world populace has been living in regions where the
WHO guidelines for criteria air pollutants have not been accomplished. As per studies,
ambient or outdoor air pollution in cities as well as rural regions has been calculated to have
created impact on millions of premature life losses across the world in 2016 (Leung, 2015).
The 2005 WHO criteria for Air quality have been providing universal direction on edges as
well as limits for key air pollutants which pose severe health risks. The guidelines point out
to the fact that through reduction of (PM10) pollution from 70 to 20 micrograms per cubic
meter (μg/m), there can be a successful reduction of air pollution-related deceases by
approximately 15% (Vijayan et al., 2015). Additionally with the guideline values, the WHO
air quality criteria has offered provisional targets for concentrations of PM10 and
PM2.5 targeted at indorsing a measured move from increased to reduced levels of
concentrations. However, in the view of author, if these provisional targets have been

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successful, major decreases in risks for severe as well as chronic health impacts from these
criteria air pollutants can be expected. Attaining the guidelines values must be the ultimate
agenda. Meanwhile, the present WHO guideline value of around 40 μg/m3 has been
established in order to safeguard individuals from the health effects of gasiform.
World Health Organization has recently implemented a resolution in 2015 along with
a road map (2016) for the improved universal response to the detrimental health impacts of
the air pollution (Vanker et al., 2017). World Health Organization has developed as a
custodial agency for 3 air pollutants related Sustainable Development Goal indicators with
3.9.1 mortality due to air pollution, 7.1.2 Access to unpolluted fuels and machineries and
11.6.2 Air quality in metropolises.
Indoor Dust Impact on Health Conditions
The significant area of public concern as well as government policy in relation to the
impact of air pollutants on human health conditions tends to be focused on outdoor air.
Nevertheless, since the last twenty years, indoor air quality (IQA) has resulted in the
elevating concern because of the detrimental impacts which are likely to have on human
health conditions (Tham, 2016). Major effects on the respiratory system have been linked to
contact with indoor dust which include severe and chronic changes in the pulmonary function
and sensitization of the respiratory systems to allergens existing in the indoor air
(Pongpiachan, 2016). Furthermore, respiratory contamination tend to spread in indoor
environments when particular sources of infections agents have been present which easily
spread infections from one individual to the other. Contradictory to the rate of chemical
pollutants present in indoor air, considerable focus has been given on the role of transferable
agents in indoor air that has been known for an extensive period of time (Cheng et al., 2015).
On the other hand, lung cancer has been known as the critical type of illness that has been
linked to the constant contact with IAP. Contact with Asbestos, a cluster of six naturally

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growing fibrous minerals composed of thin, needle-like fibers has been linked to cancer in
people from their worn clothes. However, there cannot be found any comprehensive studies
linked to asbestos existence in indoor areas or public constructions from asbestos used as a
construction material to the incidence of cancer (Saillenfait, Ndiaye & Sabaté, 2015). In
addition to this, elevated mortality rate because of Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been
linked with the exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in certain groups of non-smokers
who have continual exposure to smoking. Authors have focused on the question whether total
mortality rate has been affected due to contact with ETS, although results have been
inconsistent (Vijayan et al., 2015). This is due to the reason that any impact on mortality
would not be estimated to take incidence subsequent to extensive period of exposure, since
the issue with these types of observation tends to rely on the accuracy as well as reliability of
the exposure classification.
Key control strategies to reduce concentration of indoor dust
Source Management can be considered as the most effective control strategy when it
can be practically applied. According to authors, source removal is highly effectual.
Nonetheless, policies and regulations which retain potential pollutants from getting mixed
with indoor air are considered to be more effective as compared to the prevention of IAQ
issues (Liccione, 2019). In addition to this, local exhaust shows great effectiveness on
eliminating point source of pollutants prior to its spreading into the indoor air by exhausting
the polluted air outside. Local exhaust method shows great efficiency in removing air
pollutants from restrooms and kitchens (Saillenfait, Ndiaye & Sabaté, 2015). It is important
to note that indoor air pollution is understood as a major public concern issue which can be
understood as global environmental phenomenon. However, the task of lessening levels of
exposure to air pollutants tends to be highly complex.

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Conclusion
To conclude, it is highly evident the comparative contribution of indoor as well as
outdoor generated pollutants towards personal exposures relies on manifold factors which
include the type of pollutants, constructing structure, indoor sources as well as personal
activities. Health care providers must take into consideration these factors as well as adapt
interventions to individual conditions to capitalize on the net release reduction on the basis of
individual circumstances. Furthermore, the balance of air pollutant contacts along with
advantages of any reduction in contact with air pollutants must be evaluated against the
physical as well as mental health welfares of outdoor activity. Moreover, reassuring
individuals to perform physical exercises at specific locations as well as times when air
pollutant levels are inferior tend to facilitate the preservation of the benefits of exercise,
whereas reducing the health hazards from contact with air pollution.

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