152
Air pollution can lead to silicosis and asbestosis due to inhaling silica and asbestoses, respectively. PM in air increases risk for cardiovascular diseases (Pope II
et al. 2004; O’Neill et al. 2005; Miller et al. 2007; Whitsel et al. 2009; Ursula et al.
2010). Although there was a general consensus that higher air pollution exposure is
linked to middle ear inflammation, commonly known as otitis media (OM), which
is a multifactorial disease of the middle ear and globally affects more than 80% of
children below the age of three years, the evidence for associations with specific
pollutants is not consistent (Bowatte et al. 2018).
The eye is vulnerable to air pollution leading to eye irritation and persistent discomfort (Bourcier et al. 2003; Schwela 2000; Klopfer 1989; Zhiwei et al. 2016).
As per Mancebo and Wang (2015), ambient air pollutants affect skin health by
the following mechanisms:
• Beginning of aryl hydrocarbon receptor
• Changes to skin microflora
• Generation of free radicals
• Introduction of inflammatory cascade as well as succeeding damage to skin
barrier
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can move long distances besides bioaccumulation in animals and humans. Usual POPs in air include dioxins, pesticides, as
well as dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. Dioxins in air might bioaccumulate
in plants as well as food products (Schecter et al. 2006).
In order to eliminate/restrict the production/use of POPs, Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutants was signed in 2001. As of February 2019, there are
182 parties to the Convention (United Nations 2019).
Old paint is the common source of lead air pollution. Deteriorating paint chips
and suspended particles due to natural weathering, remodeling, dry scraping, as
well as demolition result in resuspension of paint particles with lead. Lead poisoning in children was reported in 1892 in Australia for the first time (Gibson et al.
1892); after 12 years peeling lead-based paint, lead poisoning was observed in 10
children (Gibson 1904). Even in countries with efforts to control lead, it still exists
in soil/dust/house paint.
The phenomenon of formation of new pollutants in nature is the basis of the
terms: primary and secondary pollutants (Table 4.2). The terms primary and secondary pollutants are usually associated with air pollutants. Pollutants directly released
into the environment are called primary pollutants. Pollutants formed in the atmosphere are called secondary pollutants and are due to reaction of primary pollutants
with other substances.
Pollutants can be natural or anthropogenic (Fig. 4.26).
Pollution can happen incidentally (transportation, industry, etc.) or accidentally
(oil spill, fire hazard, etc.).
4 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
Air pollution can lead to silicosis and asbestosis due to inhaling silica and asbestoses, respectively. PM in air increases risk for cardiovascular diseases (Pope II
et al. 2004; O’Neill et al. 2005; Miller et al. 2007; Whitsel et al. 2009; Ursula et al.
2010). Although there was a general consensus that higher air pollution exposure is
linked to middle ear inflammation, commonly known as otitis media (OM), which
is a multifactorial disease of the middle ear and globally affects more than 80% of
children below the age of three years, the evidence for associations with specific
pollutants is not consistent (Bowatte et al. 2018).
The eye is vulnerable to air pollution leading to eye irritation and persistent discomfort (Bourcier et al. 2003; Schwela 2000; Klopfer 1989; Zhiwei et al. 2016).
As per Mancebo and Wang (2015), ambient air pollutants affect skin health by
the following mechanisms:
• Beginning of aryl hydrocarbon receptor
• Changes to skin microflora
• Generation of free radicals
• Introduction of inflammatory cascade as well as succeeding damage to skin
barrier
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can move long distances besides bioaccumulation in animals and humans. Usual POPs in air include dioxins, pesticides, as
well as dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. Dioxins in air might bioaccumulate
in plants as well as food products (Schecter et al. 2006).
In order to eliminate/restrict the production/use of POPs, Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutants was signed in 2001. As of February 2019, there are
182 parties to the Convention (United Nations 2019).
Old paint is the common source of lead air pollution. Deteriorating paint chips
and suspended particles due to natural weathering, remodeling, dry scraping, as
well as demolition result in resuspension of paint particles with lead. Lead poisoning in children was reported in 1892 in Australia for the first time (Gibson et al.
1892); after 12 years peeling lead-based paint, lead poisoning was observed in 10
children (Gibson 1904). Even in countries with efforts to control lead, it still exists
in soil/dust/house paint.
The phenomenon of formation of new pollutants in nature is the basis of the
terms: primary and secondary pollutants (Table 4.2). The terms primary and secondary pollutants are usually associated with air pollutants. Pollutants directly released
into the environment are called primary pollutants. Pollutants formed in the atmosphere are called secondary pollutants and are due to reaction of primary pollutants
with other substances.
Pollutants can be natural or anthropogenic (Fig. 4.26).
Pollution can happen incidentally (transportation, industry, etc.) or accidentally
(oil spill, fire hazard, etc.).
4 Introduction to Environmental Sciences