Doctor, why am I coughing and sneezing? And why do my eyes water?

These complaints are becoming commonplace as air pollution becomes a worldwide modern day plague afflicting our post-industrial society. Air pollution can cause symptoms ranging from mild irritation of the eyes, sneezing and coughing to severe respiratory impairment and even death. People with heart, lung and other chronic diseases are particularly at risk.

What is Air Pollution

Pollution may be defines as any change in the environment that adversely affects the quality of human life.

Air pollution is not a recent phenomenon; it has been with us for centuries. Recently, analysis of deep layers of polar ice has provided evidence of air pollutants released into the atmosphere from the smelting of ores during Roman times. However, pollution’s devastating effects only became apparent during the 19th century industrial revolution. Europe, North America and Japan were the places where environmental deterioration first appeared. Since the 1950s and 60s, air pollution has become a worldwide concern, especially in densely populated regions.

Causes of Outdoor Pollution

Air pollution can be divided into two different categories-indoor and outdoor. In this article I will limit my discussion to outdoor pollution.

The main sources of outdoor pollution include the combustion engine, industrial processes, power plants, forest fires and agricultural waste products. The major pollutants from these sources are carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, ozone, lead and particulate matter (dust and dirt).

Carbon monoxide binds readily to hemoglobin in red blood cells producing carboxyhemoglobin. When this happens, the red blood cells are unable to deliver oxygen to the tissues and organs of our bodies. At concentrations found in certain large cities, it can cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, dulling of the senses and slowing of the reflexes. People at particular risk to the effects of carbon monoxide pollutants include those undertaking strenuous physical and aerobic activities and those with heart disease.

Sulphur dioxide pollutants come primarily from industrial oil and coal combustion for generating power and electricity. Sulphur dioxide can directly damage the lungs. Those already suffering from bronchitis, asthma and emphysema are particularly sensitive to this pollutant.

Nitrogen oxide, similar to sulphur dioxides, are the products of industrial combustion. They can also cause lung injury especially in those afflicted with chronic lung diseases. Children exposed to inhaled pollutants have been observed to be prone to influenza and other viral infections. Nitrogen and sulphur oxide emissions are chemically changes in the atmosphere to “acid rain.”

Major sources of lead pollution include automobiles and smelter factory emissions. Lead may be absorbed either by inhalation or by ingestion of lead-containing paints or crops that have “soaked-up’ this pollutant. High levels of lead in the body can lead to anemia as well as bone and brain impairment. Children are particularly sensitive to lead intoxication. Children with high levels of lead have been found to have serious learning disabilities.

Particulate pollution is a general term but covers all the dust and dirt in the atmosphere. It is thought to be an important cause of respiratory diseases and possibly lung cancer.

Air pollution can become progressively worse during an inversion. An inversion is a freak weather condition in which stagnant warm air rests like a lid on top of cooler air. The warm air not only traps the cooler air, but prevents its pollutants from dissipating.

Minimizing the Effects of Air Pollution

During times when the pollution index level is in the hazardous range, one should stay indoors as much as possible and avoid outdoor physical activities. This is especially true for people with heart, lung or other chronic illness. For mild irritation and redness of the eyes, eye drops or eye wash can provide relief. There are numerous products on the market, and your personal doctor or pharmacist can help you choose one.

Antihistamine or decongestant medication may be taken to relieve upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion and phlegm, sneezing and coughing. For those prone to lung congestion, wheezing or asthma, antibronchospasm inhalers and sometimes steroid inhalers may be necessary. However, it is best to consult with your personal doctor for treatment of these more serious respiratory complications.

Air cleaners are also available. These are essentially two types of air cleaners available to the consumer: 1. those that capture particles electric attraction, and
2. those that capture particles by mechanical filtration.

Among the electronic air-cleaners, the simplest are the negative-ion generators that impartant electric charge to particles that are then attached to surfaces of the opposite charge.

Negative-ion generators are effective for control of pollen and 90 percent effective for clearing tobacco and environmental smoke and particulate matter. Their drawbacks are a frequent need for cleaning and their possible production of ozone.

HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) cleaners are very efficient mechanical filtration devices with a minimun efficiency of 0.3 microne particle size. They have one or more layers of either fiber matting or glass fiber paper. For absorption of gases or odors, they also contain activated charcoal or chemicals crystals. They are 99.9 percent effective for removing pollen, mold spores, animal and hair dander, dust, mite allergena, bacteria, viruses, room dust, tobacco smoke, soot and fumes.