Air pollution is bigger issue in the world. It affects wide range of population every day. Air has many micro and macro particles and include gases, every particle is not affecting on our lungs but few tiny and bigger particles are affecting respiratory tracts and causing many other issues like lungs and heart health, affects the brain also. Few studies say air pollution leads to decrease sperm quality causing infertility and mothers during pregnancy many issues occur.
This article gives you over view of how air pollution affects the human health especially women and man both fertility and also causes problems in childrens.
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What Are Air Particles and Air Pollution?
Air pollution is presence of one or more contamination of
particulate matter, gases, dust, smoke, smog, mist present in air. People who
are staying in the area where the air quality is very bad, they inhale the
particulate matter and these pollutants pass inside the body and circulate into
the lungs and blood vessels, leads to increase in oxidative stress,
inflammation, immunosuppression and make the body open to bacteria and virus
causing damage to cells.
Types Of Air
Particles
Particulate Matter (PM): Particles with diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller (PM10), affect less compared to particles with diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller (PM2.5). The PM2.5 directly enters into the blood stream and impacts the internal organs, cells.
Toxic Gases: Carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and ozone come from the fossil fuel.
Sources like vehicles, industry, forest fires, biomass burning releases these
gases.
Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs): Chemicals like benzene, formal dehyde (indoor pollutant), Toluene
(traffic emission, tobacco smoke) etc are chemicals that evaporates into the
air from liquids or solid particles.
Heavy Metals: Metals
like lead, mercury and cadmium, when exposed in low amount also affects
environment and human health. It can also pass-through food web and food chain
and affect the organisms.
Sources of
Air Pollution
Air
pollution occurs due to some natural and man-made developments
- Industrial Emissions: Industries like paper, iron and steel, sugar, cement, fertilizers etc release pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and particulate matter.
- Vehicle Exhaust: Cars and trucks emit harmful gases and particles, especially in urban areas.
- Burning Fossil Fuels: Combustion of coal, oil, and gas is a significant contributor to air pollution.
- Agriculture: Fertilizers, pesticides, and livestock release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
- Natural Events: Wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions also contribute to air pollution.
Are some populations more likely to be at higher risk for disease from air pollution?
The children, elderly
and pregnant women are more susceptible to air pollution-related
diseases. Genetics, comorbidities, nutrition and
sociodemographic factors also impact a person’s susceptibility
to air pollution.
How Air Pollution Impacts Women Health?
Dangerous air pollutants create many issues by altering the hormonal balance affect the reproductive system and causes problem to conceive or while conceiving also it impacts on child health.
Effects on Fertility
Airborne
pollutants change hormonal level in body and lower the production of estrogen, causing
(Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) PCOs, leading to irregular periods, weight gain, which
is the main reason affecting the ovulation and fertility.
Particulate matters which enter the body destroys the eggs, which reduces the chances of ovulation.
When the women
are more exposed to deadly air particles, there is a high chance of premature
birth, low weight of babies, and as a result many health issues occur in the
child like less development of many organs etc.
Few studies
suggest that very long-term exposure to pollution may increase the risk of
hormone-related cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancer.
How Air Quality Impact On Male Health?
Air
pollution not only impact the health of female but also impacts men’s fertility
also.
According to few studies, when male exposed to particulate matter (PM2.5) and toxic chemical, metals, the quality, count, motility and morphology of the sperm reduces.
Pollutants generate free radicals which damages the sperm DNA and lower testosterone production, further affecting fertility.
Health Effects of Air Particles
Breathing in
polluted air can increase the risk of health issues, including heart disease,
respiratory distress, and cancer.
Respiratory System
• Asthma and Bronchitis: Air
containing polluted dust particles can cause irritation in the airways, which
can trigger asthma attacks and chronic bronchitis.
• Lung Cancer: Continuous
exposure to pollutants can reduce the lung function and elevate the risk of
lung cancer.
Cardiovascular System
Major pollutants i.e., dusts, smog’s
enhances threat of arteries, hypertension, and in future leads to heart attacks
and strokes.
Children exposed to different air pollutants, can cause harm to them lower the cognitive health, memory loss and even causes dementia issues. It also affects the adults and older age group people.
Air pollution also causes damage to skin health causing premature aging, dryness, skin irritation and also supresses the immune system making the body more susception to various kind of virus.
Fatigue and headache is also the issues which causes due to air pollution.
Many studies also suggests that air pollutes may affect diabetes and neurological development in children.
Preventing Air Pollution-Related Health Risks
Air
pollution is a global problem, govt have also taken many steps to reduce it. We
also need to take steps to protect ourself and our beloved members.
1. Personal Precautions
• Wear Mask: Use N95 or
similar quality masks to filter out air particles.
• Monitor Air Quality: Keep
a check on the air quality levels and don’t move outside when the air quality
is worsened.
• Use Air Purifiers: Invest
in a good-quality air purifier for your home.
• Ventilate Safely: Open
windows only when outdoor air quality is good.
2. Healthy Lifestyle
• Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Foods
like berries, nuts, and green vegetables help combat oxidative stress.
• Hydration: Try to drink
sufficient amount of water in different forms like lime water, vegetable juice
or coconut water etc to flush out toxins.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking increases
the health issues more. It plays a double role with air pollution to lower immunity
system.
3. Government and Community Efforts
Government
have also taken multiple steps to lower pollution like increasing the use of
renewable energy, promoting electric vehicles and also initiative to plant more trees to better the air quality level.
Conclusion
Air
pollution is a silent killer, impacts on overall health mainly on reproductive
health causing problems to conceive. The tiny particles present in polluted air
may damage nearly every organ in the body, leading to multiple health issues
like respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, hormonal imbalances, and
fertility problems.