200
the world populations now live in cities and the number is increasing (UN 2014).
Ninety-two percent of the global population is exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient air pollution, caused primarily by road traffic, industrial emissions, and domestic fuel burning (WHO 2016c) affecting their respiratory system.
In 2012, the deaths of 169,250 children below 5 years were linked to ambient air
pollution (WHO 2016c) in addition to 531,190 deaths due to indoor air pollution
(WHO 2016a, b).
Several viral epidemics such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) from 2002 to 2003, and H1N1 influenza in 2009, Middle East
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 have been recorded
(Cascella et al. 2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originated from
Wuhan, China, and spread quickly to 72 countries causing more than 90,000 confirmed cases beside more than 2946 deaths as of 3 March 2020 (Li et al. 2020).
5.18 Nephrology
Nephrology is a branch of medical science, which focuses on the treatment of kidney conditions as well as abnormalities.
Box 5.6 Forest Fire and Lung
Oxygen generated from forest is good for lungs and the entire body. However,
when the same forest catches fire, the reverse could happen. Forest fires in
Indonesia during 1997 were associated with a raise in mortality and morbidity
and smoke emitted affected the neighboring nations, namely, Malaysia,
Brunei, Southern Thailand, and Singapore, besides parts of the Philippines.
The forest fire was associated with rise in the many hospital admissions which
was associated with respiratory complaints (Langford and Ferner 2002).
Box 5.7 Industrial Gas Accident and Pulmonary Health
Accidental release of Bromine at a chemical plant in Geneva, Switzerland in
November 1984 resulted in visit of 91 patients to the hospital with common
symptoms of cough, upper respiratory tract irritation, and headache (Langford
and Ferner 2002; Morabia et al. 1988).
Derailing of freight train in Youngtown, Florida, in 1978 resulted in escape
of 50 tons of chlorine spreading on local motorway resulting in death of eight
motorists due to pulmonary toxicity and affecting 100 people (Langford and
Ferner 2002).
5 Introduction to Medical Sciences
the world populations now live in cities and the number is increasing (UN 2014).
Ninety-two percent of the global population is exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient air pollution, caused primarily by road traffic, industrial emissions, and domestic fuel burning (WHO 2016c) affecting their respiratory system.
In 2012, the deaths of 169,250 children below 5 years were linked to ambient air
pollution (WHO 2016c) in addition to 531,190 deaths due to indoor air pollution
(WHO 2016a, b).
Several viral epidemics such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) from 2002 to 2003, and H1N1 influenza in 2009, Middle East
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 have been recorded
(Cascella et al. 2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originated from
Wuhan, China, and spread quickly to 72 countries causing more than 90,000 confirmed cases beside more than 2946 deaths as of 3 March 2020 (Li et al. 2020).
5.18 Nephrology
Nephrology is a branch of medical science, which focuses on the treatment of kidney conditions as well as abnormalities.
Box 5.6 Forest Fire and Lung
Oxygen generated from forest is good for lungs and the entire body. However,
when the same forest catches fire, the reverse could happen. Forest fires in
Indonesia during 1997 were associated with a raise in mortality and morbidity
and smoke emitted affected the neighboring nations, namely, Malaysia,
Brunei, Southern Thailand, and Singapore, besides parts of the Philippines.
The forest fire was associated with rise in the many hospital admissions which
was associated with respiratory complaints (Langford and Ferner 2002).
Box 5.7 Industrial Gas Accident and Pulmonary Health
Accidental release of Bromine at a chemical plant in Geneva, Switzerland in
November 1984 resulted in visit of 91 patients to the hospital with common
symptoms of cough, upper respiratory tract irritation, and headache (Langford
and Ferner 2002; Morabia et al. 1988).
Derailing of freight train in Youngtown, Florida, in 1978 resulted in escape
of 50 tons of chlorine spreading on local motorway resulting in death of eight
motorists due to pulmonary toxicity and affecting 100 people (Langford and
Ferner 2002).
5 Introduction to Medical Sciences