Air Pollutants And Healthcare - Clean air act

Running head: - AIR POLLUTANTS AND HEALTHCARE
AIR POLLUTANTS AND HEALTHCARE
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AIR POLLUTANTS AND HEALTHCARE1
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.

AIR POLLUTANTS AND HEALTHCARE2
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