The Peril Brought by Air Pollution in Human’s Health

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The UK is now in its effort to eliminate the high level of nitrogen dioxide in its air. This particular pollutant [nitrogen dioxide] contributes to the premature deaths of 40,000 people in the UK.

The Guardianreported that the five most developed countries in the EU (Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK) are instructed to clean up its air for two months due to nitrogen dioxide. The crisis of great smog in 1952 happened in London killed an estimated 12,000 people due to a thick fog lingered for four days long, led to an awareness of the danger brought by air pollution.

The air containing nitrogen dioxide could be dangerous because it was linked to heart and lung diseases. Hence, regulation like Clean Air Actwas made to protect human's health by eliminating particular matter that can contribute to the pollution of the air.

Air pollution is just one of the environmental problems faced today, which this can be outdoor and indoor. Outdoor air pollution includes particular matter (PM), ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur oxide wherein when exposed it can penetrate into lungs. While indoor air pollution like using of woods and charcoal while cooking can lead to a higher exposure of PM.

Particularly, PM and nitrogen dioxide are very dangerous to health. In fact, these pollutants killed millions of people worldwide. In 2012, there were three million deaths due to this outdoor air pollution.

"Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer," World Health Organization said. However, according to WHO if there will be a reduction in air pollution this will give a chance to cut the high level of stroke, heart diseases, lung cancer, asthma and respiratory diseases happening worldwide.

This air pollution may subtle in the naked eyes, but according to the report from UCLA, this may also result in a significant effect on pregnant woman and babies' health. Inhaling these pollutants may damage the lungs.