View source for 108. Air pollutants and their health effects

* PCB = polychlorinated biphenyl
** Used as a fluid in electronics
** Production has been banned for many years, but because it lasts for long, it can still be found in old electronics and the environment
** Symptoms of toxicity, collectively known as Yusho disease
*** Chloracne – a severe form of acne
*** Hepatotoxicity
*** Foetal abnormalities
*** Cancer
* PCP = pentachlorophenol
** Use as pesticide, disinfectant
** Symptoms of toxicity
*** Hyperthermia (by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation)
*** Damage to liver, kidneys, lung, CNS, etc.
* TCA = 1,1,1-trichloroethane
** Is used as a solvent
** It’s an ozone-depleting substance and is therefore being phased out
** Symptoms of toxicity
*** Similar to those of ethanol
*** Foetal abnormalities
* Greenhouse gases
** The greenhouse effect traps heat from the sun on the surface of the earth
** Major greenhouse gases
*** CO2 – 55%
*** CFC11, CFC12 (fluoromethanes)
*** Methane
*** NOx
** The greenhouse effect drives climate change
* Smog
** Smog is a combination of smoke and fog
** Industrial smog = London smog = reducing smog
*** A sulphurous smog (contains sulphurs)
*** From burning coal or oil at power plants
*** Is chemically reducing
** Photochemical smog = Los Angeles smog = oxidizing smog
*** From car emissions
*** Requires sunlight
*** Contains ozone, VOC, NOx
*** Is chemically oxidizing
*** Can form acid rain
* Ozone (O3)
** Is formed in the upper atmosphere when sunlight acts on oxygen (O2)
** Concentrations higher than 0,1 ppm is toxic
* Particles
** Mostly from cars, wood-burning and industries
** Types
*** Dust
*** Fibres
**** Asbestos
*** Nanoparticles
** Deposition in lungs
*** Particles > 5 µm are trapped in upper airways
*** Particles 1 – 5 µm are trapped in the bronchi
*** Particles < 1 µm are trapped in the alveoli
** Health issues
*** Irritation of eyes
*** Coughing
*** Allergies
*** Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
*** Pneumoconiosis (interstitial lung fibrosis)
*** Asbestos -> mesothelioma
* Pollutants which are present both indoor and outdoor
** NOx, CO, CO2
*** From fuel burning, metabolic activity, tobacco smoke
** Particles, aerosols
*** From combustion, tobacco smoke, condensation
** VOC (volatile organic compounds)
*** From fuel burning, painting, metabolic activity, pesticides, solvents, cosmetics, etc.
*** Formaldehyde, benzene, styrene, etc.
** Spores
*** From fungi, moulds
* Prevention of air pollution
** Primordial prevention
** Countries must cooperate to reduce air pollution
** Separating industrial from residential areas
** Facilitate public transport, biking or walking instead of driving

[[Category:Public health 6 - Occupational hygiene and occupational medicine]]