Air Pollution: Effects and Dangers

Air pollution from anthropogenic sources is a serious environmental problem that affects public health worldwide. According to the WHO, over two million premature deaths per year are attributable to the effects of outdoor and indoor air pollution, with populations in developing countries bearing the greatest burden. Epidemiological studies have shown that chronic exposure to traffic-related pollutants and chemicals can have adverse effects on development, affect lung function, increase respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular effects, and increase mortality. It is important to characterize and quantify air pollution and to recognize and assess the associated health effects, and different tools can be used individually or together to do so.

Format: Hardback
Length: 391 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Nova Science Publishers Inc

Air pollution, stemming from human activities, has been widely recognized as a grave environmental concern that profoundly impacts public health. The gravity of this issue lies in its ability to elevate pollutant levels in regions where their detrimental effects on human well-being are most pronounced. Consequently, air pollution poses a significant global threat to public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over two million premature deaths annually can be attributed to the consequences of outdoor and indoor air pollution. Shockingly, more than half of this disease burden falls upon populations in developing countries. Extensive epidemiological studies conducted in various nations have revealed that chronic exposure to traffic-related pollutants, chemicals, and petrochemicals, including particulate matter (PM), metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and inorganic gases (SO2, NOx, O3), exerts adverse effects on development and detrimentally impacts lung function. This exposure is associated with an increase in respiratory diseases, often manifesting as diagnosed asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as cardiovascular consequences and heightened mortality rates.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing air pollution and its associated health impacts is paramount. To achieve this, it is essential to characterize and quantify air pollution, as well as acknowledge and evaluate the resulting health effects. Various tools can be employed individually or in combination to facilitate this assessment. These tools are presented in this book, initially in an introductory format (Chapters 1 to 3) and subsequently in applied form through diverse case studies (Chapters 4 to 10). By utilizing these comprehensive resources, readers can gain a deeper understanding of air pollution and its associated risks, enabling them to take proactive measures to mitigate its detrimental effects on human health and the environment.

Weight: 646g
Dimension: 260 x 180 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781536195446