Air is one of the essential elements for our life, it is made up of the mixture of gases (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon and neon) that are concentrated within our atmosphere, however human activities have modified this composition which represents a serious risk to our health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seven million people die each year from exposure to the air with large amounts of ozone, carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs contained in aerosols) and particles smaller than 10 micrometers (PM10).
Excess of these pollutants in the air cause deaths from strokes (2.2 million), heart disease (2.0 million), and lung disease or cancer (1.7 million).
However, it is also a cause of overweight and stroke, aggravates respiratory diseases such as asthma or causes respiratory discomfort (dry nose, constipation), headache, dizziness, irritation and inflammation of the eyes.
With a study carried out in China, one of the most polluted cities in the world, it was found that air quality has an impact on cognitive intelligence (mainly on mathematical and verbal skills), while in older men it can develop Alzheimer's or forms of dementia.
But what is the cause of air pollution? Transport is one of the biggest generators of this problem, followed by industry and the production of energy from burning Fossil fuels, Among others.
The contamination of the indoor air of buildings is another factor of concern, where numerous suspended particles up to mold can cause lung disease.
We must not forget that all the elements that exist on this earth are interconnected, so the breakdown of the chemical and energy balance of the atmosphere, a product of our daily activities, not only affects the health of humans, but also that of animals and plants. .
Air pollution causes acid rain, and with it the deterioration of water quality, there is also damage to the ozone layer and causes the greenhouse effect (increase in the temperature of the atmosphere).
Faced with this situation, it is proposed to migrate to cleaner transport and industries, promote alternative energies to burning hydrocarbons, use lead-free gasoline without additives, among other actions.
But in this one problem we must all participate, for that reason you can implement actions in particular that impact what we all breathe; Some suggestions would be to use the car less, reduce your energy consumption and of course consume responsibly.
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Last modified: 2024-12-05T23:30:45+11:00
