Monitoring Air Pollutants Inside Vehicle During Daily Commute

Louis. When living in a hard up income area there is always a tightly packed space between older automobiles, busses, and trucks. This destroyed the ozone, which would bring about cardiovascular problems such as asthma attacks. In the article Gammon states that "In Southern California communities , exposure through air pollution and traffic emissions stunts children's lung growth ,according to USC research " This hints that if a child happens to live nearby or is nearby a polluted area he or she is unprotected and is exposed to having

Pollution continues to pose an enormous threat to residents of urban cities worldwide. In the August 2008 Monthly Update, it is stated that approximately 800,000 deaths each year can be attributed to outdoor air pollution, making pollution the single most harmful environmental hazard to human health in urban areas (Kallman). The fact that pollution kills hundreds of thousands of people each year alone portrays just how dangerous living in these conditions can be. Kallman writes about a study which proves an increase in upper respiratory diseases, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, and low birth weights when exposed to air pollutants (August 2008: Monthly Update). These can be very serious diseases and complications which, when contracted, can lead to death or very serious illnesses. There

There are various types of air pollution contributors in California such as fire generated pollutants and vehicle traffic, which add particulate matter and carbon monoxide into the air we breathe. According to an article by Union of Concerned Scientists (Cars, trucks, and air pollution, 2014) particulate matter is made up of fine particles soot and metal that can pose serious threats to human health when deep in the lungs. Other pollutants emitted from vehicles are: nitrogen oxide which lowers the body’s defense system against respiratory infections such as pneumonia, carbon monoxide which blocks oxygen from reaching vital organs, sulfur dioxide which is emitted by both power plants and vehicles affect children and asthmatics, and hazardous air pollutants (toxics) which are chemicals that are linked to cancer, birth defects and other illnesses (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2014).

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is predominantly sourced from vehicle emissions5 and exposure to traffic-related particles is associated with increased risk of asthma in children6.

Air pollution has been recognized as a major threat to environmental health, and the effects that it can have on the population are extremely varied. In the environmental aspects, air

For the past few years, the American Lung Association has been releasing its annual reports on the “State of The Air” that lists the most polluted cities in the United States. For instance, in 2014, out of the seven cities ranked to have the worst air quality, six of them are in California. The two major air pollution culprits in California are from the transportation sources such as trucks and cars, or from the stationary sources such as industrial facilities and refineries (Ierodiakonou, et al. 392). However, the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association includes other pollutants in their reports such as Sulphur(IV) oxide, Carbon(II) Oxide gas and Nitrogen(IV) Oxide from chemical industries, which also causes harm to human beings and the environment at large.

Starting in the year 2004, the air pollution has reached an alarming level in the city o Toronto. Dr Barbara Yaffe, the acting medical officer of health of Toronto Public health, has released a report in July 2004 saying that the “air pollution [in the city] has contributed to over 1700 premature deaths and 6000 hospitalization admission in Toronto each year” (Yaffe, 2004, p.i). According to this report, pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide have increased within the air of the city; these pollutants are tiny particles that are 2.5 micron in diameter or less and can affect people’s respiratory system and cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems such as “asthma, bronchitis in children, adult chronic bronchitis, and heart problem” (TPH, 2007, figure 1). Although it

“Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness often associated with familial, allergenic, socioeconomic, psychological and environmental factors.” (Rhodes 2002) Traffic related air pollution at home and school has been associated with adverse health effects, specifically on the respiratory system, resulting in an increased prevalence of asthma in children. The Southern California Children’s Health Study was designed to look at the chronic effects of air pollution on respiratory health. Previous research has shown an association of asthma with those that live in residential areas in close proximity to major roadways and exposure to traffic pollutants.

Global warming is correlated with hot, humid days that can activate asthma symptoms. For patients with chronic lung diseases the onset of an intense heat wave can lead to death. “A study of New York City summers from 1991 to 2004 found that each 1°C above an empirically derived temperature-health effect threshold for the population resulted in a 2.7% to 3.1% increase in same-day hospitalizations for respiratory diseases,” (Bernsetein and Rice pg 3). The elderly with respiratory diseases and people living in urban areas due to amplification of temperature rises are the most prone to the effects of heat waves. (Another result of increase in temperature is the increased likelihood of forest fires releasing particulate matter (PM) and carcinogens, which have also been, linked to increased likelihood of asthma symptoms and hospital visits. PM can carry absorbed toxic compounds deep inside the lung do to their size to weight ratio. The majority of PM in the atmosphere comes from desertification and droughts and these natural events are likely to increase as a result of global warming. Even individuals with healthy functioning lungs were shown to have decreases lung function after exposure to PM and carcinogens. People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are effected most by air pollution because sometimes the pollution can lead to

Pollution has been linked to serious health defects that may lead to death. For instance, there have been studies linking pollution to asthma in children, lung cancer, atherosclerotic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes (Perez et al. 1625). Automobiles provide a necessary service to American society; however, they are seriously affecting the overall health of

A common misconception is that asthma is strictly hereditary and that attacks occur spontaneously. On the contrary, exposure to pollutants in the air can both cause someone to develop asthma as well as aggravate extant asthma. Scientists have discovered “Increasing evidence suggests that long-term exposures to air pollution, especially TRAP (traffic related air pollution) and its surrogate, nitrogen dioxide, can contribute to new-onset asthma in both children and adults. Components of diesel exhaust may also cause asthma, shown by studies finding that children growing up along streets with heavy truck traffic are more likely to develop asthma-related respiratory symptoms” (McConnell). McConnell goes on to clarify, “Recent case–control and cohort studies have found an increased risk of asthma with early-life exposure to local residential traffic-related pollutants.” With this being said, most- if not all- doubt as to whether polluted air causes asthma to develop should be out the window at this point. Although one can be born with asthma or develop it outside of pollution related stimuli, the state of the environment should be the preeminent affair with which everyone gets involved in order to protect their lungs. Most triggers are hard to avoid but things such as our transportation are such permanent aspects of day to day life that making changes so they are not as toxic to our air should be a priority. Air contaminated by automobiles is a reigning peril toward healthy lungs.

The negative effects of automobile emissions pollution were recognized long ago. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare estimated in the late 1950’s that nationwide, cars contribute 48 percent of the carbon monoxide, 4 percent of the sulfur dioxide, 32 percent of the nitrogen oxides, 59 percent of hydrocarbons and 8 percent of the particulate matter in our atmosphere. With all of these figures together, it meant that the automobile was by far the nations largest polluter, being responsible for 43 percent of all air pollution (Patterson 6). These numbers were staggering and brought many people to the opinion that something had to be done.

Nationally, in May 2011, Los Angeles was rated the second most polluted city out of 24 cities (citymayors.com), due to the ozone and air pollution, and many citizens suffer asthma and other health hazardous problems because of the pollution. Also, mnn.com states that LA Long Beach Riverside was “ranked #3 in long term particle pollution, #1 in ozone pollution and #4 in short term particle pollution”. The problem may be arising from the vast usage of cars, coal fired power plants which consumes more energy and electricity etc. According to sciencedaily.com, Dr. Weaver mentions that “Air pollution shortens lifespan, it lands our children and elderly in emergency rooms, and it can make children and teens more vulnerable to lung disease for the rest of their lives.” We need to stop this environmental threat.

An epidemiological study in US has shown that acute exposure to vehicle emissions over ten years period reduces lung function among tunnel officers Evans, (1998). A similar study confirms that there is a prevalence of chronic bronchitis and asthma in street cleaners exposed to vehicle pollutants in concentrations higher than WHO recommended guidelines, thus leading to significant increase in respiratory problems Rachou, (1995). Having viewed these consequences, the need to embark on research of this kind becomes obvious. This research work is intended to investigate the level of vehicular emission and air quality standard in a growing city Calabar, Nigeria. The knowledge from this investigation will assist authority in planning adequate pollution control measures. It is equally hoped that the study will generate interest on further research on the impact of vehicle emission on air quality and health implications in Calabar in particular and Nigeria in general for effective air quality control and management. 1.1. Traffic Emission in Developing Countries In most developing countries of the world vehicular growth has not been checked properly by environmental regulating authorities leading to increase levels of pollution. Traffic emissions contribute about 50-80% of NO2 and CO concentration in developing countries Fu (2001), and Goyal (2006). This situation is alarming and is predicated on the poor economic

Air, is one of the most substantial source to mankind and our planet. While it exists, so does everything else along. However, in today’s epidemic, there has been certain factors that have increased in understanding whether the air we breathe today is healthy or not? Is it doing more harm than we thought? In other words, the health risks against air pollution have risen in the past few decades; all from what you may ask? Well, it could be for various factors and evaluations; either environmental or materialistic. Pollution is a major public health crisis in the world. (Friis, 2012). This is one of the conflicts that contribute to various aspects of an individual’s life, whether they may realize it or not. In this paper will include the sources that cause pollution with the effects it cause as well as policies on the regulation of air pollution.