2014). These are thought to increase the concentration of free radicals which causes
lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes and macromolecules. Also affects DNA
leading to decreased cellular function (McCarthy et al. 2013).
Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas and is generated during the incomplete
combustion of coal, wood and other fossil fuels. Its affinity toward hemoglobin
molecule is much more around 250 times, then the molecule of oxygen. The result of
carbon monoxide poisoning is severe headache, nausea, loss of consciousness etc.
(Akyol et al. 2014).
SO 2, is a highly reactive gas chiefly released due to consumption of fossil fuel,
volcanic activities and industrial processes. Patients having a lung disease, infants
and people who are exposed to SO 2 are more prone to skin and pulmonary diseases.
As a sensory irritant, it can cause bronchospasm and mucus secretion in humans,
SO 2 is responsible for acid rain and acidification of soils due to its water soluble
property.
Figure 1.4 depicts the effect of air pollution on health and ecosystem.
As per different studies, the major lethal effects of air pollutants are primarily on
the pulmonary, cardiovascular, immune, dermatologic, nervous, hematological and
reproductive systems. Additionally, the cellular and molecular toxicity may also
produce different types of cancers in long term (Kampa and Castanas 2008).
• Pulmonary disorders
Mostly the air pollutants enter the body via airways; hence, the pulmonary
system, depending upon the amount of inhaled pollutants and their accumulation
in target cells, latter on it causes asthma (Brunekreef et al. 2009). Air pollutants,
such as PMs, dust, O 3 and benzene cause severe injury to the respiratory tract
(Valavanidis et al. 2013; Bahadar et al. 2014; Johannson et al. 2014). Various
studies have validated the relationship between both traffic-related or industrial
air pollutants and the increasing risk of COPD (Ko and Hui 2012).
Fig. 1.4 Effect of air pollution on health and ecosystem
1 Environmental Pollution, Its Causes and Impact on Ecosystem
9
lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes and macromolecules. Also affects DNA
leading to decreased cellular function (McCarthy et al. 2013).
Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas and is generated during the incomplete
combustion of coal, wood and other fossil fuels. Its affinity toward hemoglobin
molecule is much more around 250 times, then the molecule of oxygen. The result of
carbon monoxide poisoning is severe headache, nausea, loss of consciousness etc.
(Akyol et al. 2014).
SO 2, is a highly reactive gas chiefly released due to consumption of fossil fuel,
volcanic activities and industrial processes. Patients having a lung disease, infants
and people who are exposed to SO 2 are more prone to skin and pulmonary diseases.
As a sensory irritant, it can cause bronchospasm and mucus secretion in humans,
SO 2 is responsible for acid rain and acidification of soils due to its water soluble
property.
Figure 1.4 depicts the effect of air pollution on health and ecosystem.
As per different studies, the major lethal effects of air pollutants are primarily on
the pulmonary, cardiovascular, immune, dermatologic, nervous, hematological and
reproductive systems. Additionally, the cellular and molecular toxicity may also
produce different types of cancers in long term (Kampa and Castanas 2008).
• Pulmonary disorders
Mostly the air pollutants enter the body via airways; hence, the pulmonary
system, depending upon the amount of inhaled pollutants and their accumulation
in target cells, latter on it causes asthma (Brunekreef et al. 2009). Air pollutants,
such as PMs, dust, O 3 and benzene cause severe injury to the respiratory tract
(Valavanidis et al. 2013; Bahadar et al. 2014; Johannson et al. 2014). Various
studies have validated the relationship between both traffic-related or industrial
air pollutants and the increasing risk of COPD (Ko and Hui 2012).
Fig. 1.4 Effect of air pollution on health and ecosystem
1 Environmental Pollution, Its Causes and Impact on Ecosystem
9