Effects of polluted air on human health and environment Course 2022

Running head: Healthcare 1
Effects of polluted air on human health and environment through contamination from
transportation and industry in Delhi
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Healthcare 2
1.0 Introduction
Air pollution has increasingly become a public health problem globally owing to
industrialization, urbanization and increase in population, especially in developed countries. The
air can be polluted by several substances when released into the air. Once the pollutants are
released into the air they mix and interact with the atmosphere forming new compounds that are
dangerous. Some of these pollutants include fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and Sulphur
dioxide. The adverse impacts of air pollution on both adults and children is sufficient evidence of
the quality of air that human beings breathe in. air pollution does not only affect human health
but it also affects the ecosystem (Ghorani-Azam, Riahi-Zanjani & Balali-Mood, 2016).
Continued exposure to polluted air leads to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and chronic
illness such as cancer. Additionally, the deposition of the resulting compounds of air pollution on
land and water affects the vegetation which in turn has severe health effects on human health and
quality of life (Mathew, Goyal, Taneja, & Arora, 2015). This review of current studies will
examine the major air pollutants, their effects on human health and the environment, and
strategies to reduce their emissions.

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1.1 Study Area
The National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) also referred to as Delhi is the capital city of
India which is jointly administered by the central and state governments. It is found between the
Himalayas and Aravali range in the central Indian subcontinent. Delhi is found between 760 50’
24” to 770 20’ 37” E longitude and 280 24’ 17” to 280 53’ 00” N latitude. The city has an
altitude of 213 to 305 meters above sea level. Its climate is semi-arid with significant variation
during the summer and winter temperatures (Sharma, Taneja, Sagar, & Bhatt, 2018). The NCT
has an area of 1483 sq. km and has nine districts. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Asia
with a population of over 14 million inhabitants (WHO, 2016). According to the World Health
Organization (WHO) (2016), Delhi is one of the most polluted metropolises in the world. It has
the highest particulate matter (PM2.5), with the highest PM10 levels globally. Additionally, PM
is rated as the most detrimental pollutant to human health (WHO, 2016).
1.2 Major Air Pollutants
Air pollution consists of all the harmful impacts of any sources which result in the pollution of
the environment or of the destruction of the ecosystem (Rohde & Muller, 2015). There exist
several materials in the air that could adversely affect human health and the environment.
However, this literature will only consider Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxide and particulate
matter.
1.1.1 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Sulphur dioxide is a colourless, very reactive gas and amongst the leading air pollutants. Its
sources include fossil fuel combustion, industrial emissions, and natural volcanic reactions. The
gas is very dangerous for vegetation, human and animal health. Exposure to SO2 leads to
respiratory irritation and dysfunction and worsening of any incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
The gas is mainly inhaled in the upper airways. Because it irritates the respiratory pathway, it can

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lead to bronchospasm and the secretion of mucus in humans. Even minimal traces of the gas (<1
ppm) is sufficient to cause a high level of bronchitis (Dai, Ma, Zhu, Sun, & He, 2019).
The penetration of the gas into the lungs is enhanced during rapid breathing such as exercising in
polluted air. Its deposition along the airway causes it to breakdown into the surface lining fluid
making it easily transported to the entire body. The solubility of the gas in water causes acidic
rain and the acidification of soils. Moreover, its dissolution in water reduces oxygen levels
leading to the death of marine plants and animals. Sulphur dioxide exposure also damages the
respiratory tracts, eyes, redness of the skin and blisters and the mucous membrane (Geravandi,
Goudarzi, Mohammadi, Taghavirad, & Salmanzadeh, 2015).
1.1.2 Nitrogen Oxide (NO)
Oxides of nitrogen are significant air pollutants that aggravate the risk of respiratory diseases
(Cannistraro, Cannistraro, Cannistraro, Galvagno, & Engineer, 2016). Motor vehicle engines are
the most common sources of NO. These oxides are severe lung irritants that can trigger
pulmonary oedema if exposed to high concentrations. For example, studies have shown that
exposure at the concentrations of 2.0-5.0 ppm affects T-lymphocytes, especially CD8+ cells.
Some of the common effects of this gas include coughing and wheezing (Khaniabadi et al.,
2017). Exposure to such pollutants may often result into chest pain, headache, irritations of the
nose, eyes, and throat and sometimes might lead to pulmonary oedema (Ghozikali, Mosaferi,
Safari, & Jaafari, 2015). The study by Mills, Atkinson, Kang, Walton, and Anderson (2015)
shows that nitrogen oxide concentrations of 0.2 and 0.6 ppm are not dangerous to human health.
1.1.3 Particulate Matter (PM)
Particulate matter is everything in the air not classified as a gas and air particles in a solid or
liquid state. PM can be produced from natural resources such as dust, pollen, soot from engines,

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smoke from fires, and industrial emissions (Karavalakis et al., 2015). Primary particulate matter
is those particles that are released directly from the named sources, whereas secondary PM is as
a result of the chemical process between pollutant gases. The particles are categorized based on
their sizes. PM gain access to the lungs and are transported by the blood to different body parts.
It affects human health by either aiding in the transportation of harmful compounds to places
where they can cause damage or by being toxic. Children and the aged are at the highest risk.
The presence of the PM in the blood and body organs can shorten lifespans (Oeder et al., 2015).
1.3 Effects of Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter on Human Health
and Environment
1.2.1 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
SO2 is very toxic and causes severe irritation of the nose and throat. A high concentration of the
pollutant causes a long-lasting condition such as asthma. Several studies have been undertaken to
examine the potential effect of sulphur dioxide on Asthma disease. Ozcan and Cubukcu (2015)
carried out a study to ascertain the association between asthma prevalence and the level of air
pollutants such as Sulphur dioxide. The authors found out that there was a significant relation
between the prevalence of asthma and the rate of air pollution by Sulphur dioxide. The high
concentration of Sulphur dioxide causes irritation, low visibility and multiple respiratory
diseases. Kurt, Zhang and Pinkerton (2016) observe that Sulphur dioxide affects human health
by reacting with the moist in the nasal cavity thus causing harm to the nerves in the respiratory
system. Individuals suffering from asthma, lung and cardiac illnesses are mostly affected by
Sulphur dioxide. Liu, et al. (2016) also found out that daily exposure of SO2 in asthmatic
children led to negligible decline the functionality of the pulmonary. The pollutant is also
corrosive when in contact with the skin. Epidemiologic evidence shows that air pollution by
Sulphur dioxide affects skin ageing and atopic dermatitis. Studies have indicated that direct

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contact of the skin with the liquefied gas can freeze the skin leading to symptoms such as
numbness, itching and even burning sensation and stiffness (Puri, Nandar, Kathuria, & Ramesh,
2017). The reaction of SO2 with water results to liquefied gas which as acidic and hampers
marine life, acidifies the soil thus leading to the death of vegetation.
1.2.2 Nitrogen Oxide (NO)
NO has been found to have a severe effect on health especially among the children and the
elderly. The study by Cakmak, Hebbern, Cakmak and Vanos (2016) on the effect of NO2 on the
respiratory health of school-going children showed that the functionality of the lungs decreased
with the exposure to traffic pollution. The study by Simoni et al. (2015) showed that NO2 was
substantially associated with acute hospitalizations for COPD. Mills, Atkinson, Kang, Walton,
and Anderson (2015) and found out that increased exposure to the gas leads to 0.88%
cardiovascular effects and 1.09% respiratory mortality. 0.57% of hospital admissions were
attributed to exposure to NO2. Existing evidence shows a noteworthy relation between NO2 and
lung function. A study on the impact of air pollution on the functionality of the lung in children
carried out in South California showed that lung functionality of school-going children was
lower among children with high levels of exposure of NO2. The pollutant also causes acute
bronchitis and increased levels of chronic respiratory symptoms among asthmatic children and
adults. Increased levels of NO2 is also harmful to vegetation and decreased crop yields. Oxides
of nitrogen gas significantly affect the environment. The gas is attributed to the brown haze in
cities. Exposure of the UV rays in sunlight leads to the breakdown of NO molecules to form
ozone which affects both marine and vegetation life. The mixture of rain and NO leads to the
formation of nitric acid which produces acidic rain, increases the growth of harmful algae by
proving them with nutrients thus killing marine life

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1.2.3 Particulate Matter (PM)
The health effects of PM vary depending on the size. Small particles of less than 10 micrometres
produce the greatest harm because they can penetrate the lungs and even bloodstream. Multiple
scientific studies have linked the exposure of particulate matter to severe asthmatic conditions
and decreased lung function. A Framingham heart study on the effects of fine PM on the
functionality of the lungs found out that the proximity of roads affects lung function. The
increase of residence from the roads also lead to an increase in the functionality of the lungs.
Moreover, proximity to the roadway was linked to high odds of asthma (Rice et al., 2015).
According to Haikerwal et al. (2015), long-term and short-term exposure to inhalable particulate
matter (PM10, PM25) leads to morbidity as a result of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases
such as worsening of asthma conditions and increased hospitalizations.
1.4 Strategies to Reduce the Emission of Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate
Matter
Due to the exuberating impact of air pollution, several strategies have been proposed to help
reduce air pollution in major cities in developed countries. One of the most effective strategy is
the standardization of vehicle’s fuel in addition to providing an alternative energy source to
motor engines to encourage users. Most of the fuel emissions are produced by vehicle engines,
particularly diesel and gasoline engines. The adoption of an alternative clean source of energy
such as compressed natural gas (CNG), alcohol and liquefied natural gas (LNG) can be an
effective way of reducing engine emissions in the transport sector. Investment in research on the
most alternative ways to replace fossil and petrol fuel should be increased in addition to the
increase in the fuelling stations of CNG and LNG (Dincer, & Acar, 2015).
Another strategy to help curb air pollution is the improvement in the transportation system by
inventing or encouraging the use of trams, subways and electrical bus routes. One of the

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mechanisms to actualize this strategy is by reducing transportation costs in the use of these
alternative ways. As a result, the public and the citizens will gain from the reduction in air
pollution both in the short-term and long-term. Currently, there are minimal inventions of the use
of metro lines in Esfahan and Tehran. Unfortunately, the use of electric buses has not been
implemented in most of the developed countries despite the existing research evidence of its
effectiveness (Watts et al., 2015).
Goel and Guttikunda (2015) proposed the standardization of motor vehicle engines through the
manufacture of engines with low fuel consumption. Japan has been at the forefront in the
manufacture of electric cars that use electricity stored in a battery for low speeds but effective
when used within the cities where there are controlled speeds and traffic. To make this strategy
work, governments should pass policies for companies to design and manufacture motor engines
that use electricity. This strategy will also help in reducing accidents within cities or residential
areas with controlled speed due to overspending. Furthermore, air pollution due to the gases
produced from motor engines will be minimal within cities which are densely populated.
A strategy to increase public awareness about the importance of air pollution to the public have
been proposed to help reduce air pollution. Extensive media campaigns could be used to
implement this strategy. Furthermore, governments should integrate free training courses on the
effects of air pollution as a strategy to create public awareness. Continuous assessment of air
quality, invention and development of tools to identify pollutants and their source is another
strategy to help hold in check air pollution (Shrivastava, Neeta, & Geeta, 2013).
1.5 Prevention of lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases
The use of community-based risk reduction approach is effective in the prevention of
cardiovascular diseases. This involves the implementation of exercises, screenings of blood

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pressure and cholesterol, and healthy cooking demonstrations. Studies have shown the
effectiveness of exercises in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. A systematic review was
conducted by Anderson et al. (2016) on the effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation
for cardiovascular diseases. The study found out that the program reduced hospital admissions by
74%, and consequently mortality rate. Studies have also linked diet to cardiovascular diseases.
Community-Based primary care in Brazil was found to be effective in the prevention of different
forms of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction (Macinko & Harris, 2015).
Resource effective strategies have also been shown to be effective in the prevention of
cardiovascular diseases. For instance, the efficacy of tobacco prevention and control policies in
the prevention of cardiovascular diseases were examined by the World Health Organization
(WHO) (2013). These policies provide guidelines on the production and marketing of tobacco
and related products. Warnings on the dangers of tobacco and introducing bans on the
promotion, advertisement of tobacco products and increasing tax on the tobacco products are
some of the guidelines proposed by the WHO.
Conclusion
Air pollution is a global public health problem that has significantly been influenced by
industrialization and urbanization among other factors. Air pollution is detrimental to the health
of both children and adults as well as to the environment. Some of the common pollutants
include SO2, NO and PM. All these pollutants have a varying and significant effect on human
health and the environment. The common effect of the three pollutants is the severe impact on
the functionality of the lungs and increased risk of asthma. Additionally, SO2 and NO2 affect the
environment because they produce acidic rain when in contact with rain, thus killing marine life
and vegetation. Despite the harm caused by these pollutants, studies have shown that it is

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possible to prevent their emissions and thus help reduce their negative effects. For example, the
adoption of alternative clean sources of energy, production of low fuel consumption engines is
some of the strategies that have found to be effective in some developed countries.

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