| Air is a mixture of several gases, mostly nitrogen | | | | problems, respiratory illness, changes in the lung's |
| and oxygen. The air has no color, no smell, and no | | | | defences, and worsening respiratory and |
| taste. Pure air has vital role in all living beings; we | | | | cardiovascular disease. |
| cannot live without it. Unfortunately, the air we | | | | Nitrogen oxides (NOX) - These compounds are |
| breathe is not always pure. The air is polluted by | | | | formed by oxidation of nitrogen (N 2) during |
| solid particles: dust, sand, soot, etc. Air pollution is | | | | combustion (mainly at high temperature) of fuel |
| not a game; it causes respiratory diseases and | | | | at high temperatures. Nitrogen oxides, with volatile |
| death. The indoor air pollution is a real public health | | | | organic compounds, are involved in the formation |
| issue. It is responsible for large numbers of | | | | of the photo-oxidising pollution and ozone in the |
| diseases in United States. To optimize indoor air | | | | lower atmosphere. It penetrates the respiratory |
| we breathe in our house or office, it is important | | | | system and may, from 200 ¼ g.m - 3, |
| to add an air purification system. | | | | lead to impaired lung function and bronchial |
| Below are some of the pollutants that can cause | | | | hyper-reactivity in asthmatics. In children, it |
| diseases and death | | | | increases the sensitivity of the bronchial microbial |
| Heavy metals - Heavy metals include a family of | | | | infections. |
| compounds quite extensive; the most common is | | | | Carbon monoxide (CO) - Traffic represents the |
| the lead, most located in the particle, with the | | | | main source of carbon monoxide. It comes from |
| exception of mercury (gas). The main metals | | | | Unvented kerosene, gas water heaters, wood |
| suspected are Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), | | | | stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and |
| chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). | | | | other gasoline powered equipment; automobile |
| They come from burning coal, oil, garbage and | | | | exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco |
| some industrial processes (Non Ferrous Metals in | | | | smoke. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in |
| particular). The metals accumulate in the body and | | | | gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene |
| cause toxic effects. They can affect the nervous | | | | heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in |
| system, kidney function, liver, respiratory, etc.. | | | | indoor air. Because it is impossible to see, taste or |
| The potential toxic and carcinogenic, however, | | | | smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you |
| varies considerably from one compound to | | | | are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of |
| another. | | | | exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often |
| Sulphur dioxide (SO2) - Sulphur dioxide (SO2) | | | | mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include |
| comes mainly from combustion of fossil fuels, | | | | headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and |
| volcanic eruptions, biomass burning. Coal burning is | | | | fatigue |
| the single largest man-made source of sulphur | | | | Dust - airborne dust from certain industrial |
| dioxide, accounting for about 50% of annual global | | | | processes (cremations, quarries, cement), |
| emissions, with oil burning accounting for a further | | | | domestic heating in winter but mostly in car |
| 25 to 30%. It is an irritant gas, colorless and | | | | traffic near roads. The finer (home air cleaners |
| soluble in water. Health effects caused by | | | | website. |
| exposure to high levels of SO2 include breathing | | | | |