How Do Exhaust Fumes Affect Human Health and Environment

Researchers at King's College in London found that air pollution is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, strokes, heart failure, and bronchitis.

The British scientists analyzed the health status of people living in high air-pollution environments on 13 indicators and then compared the results with regional averages. Children living near busy highways were found to have delayed lung development by 14% in Oxford, 13% in London, 8% in Birmingham, 5% in Liverpool, 3% in Nottingham and 4% in Southampton. It also found that people living within 50m of a major highway had a 10% higher risk of developing lung cancer. The study was conducted in 13 cities in Britain and Poland.

(Photo : Photo by Matt Boitor on Unsplash)

Scientists believe that if the content of harmful impurities in the air would be reduced by at least a fifth, it would seriously reduce the incidence of bronchitis among children.

Undoubtedly, exhaust gases are the main cause of a number of diseases, including lung diseases. Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide itself is a very unfavorable factor in the development of hypercapnia (a form of hypoxia) and respiratory system disorders. Often near major urban roads, carbon dioxide levels are tens, and in extreme cases, hundreds of times higher than the permissible standards. But not only it is dangerous to human health. Exhaust fumes are one of the main sources of lead pollution. Lead (a component of fuel additives that increase the octane number) is extremely toxic to children, including the developing nervous and respiratory systems, and it also has a powerful teratogenic effect.

Adults also suffer from exhaust fumes and proximity to gas stations. It should not be forgotten that aromatic hydrocarbons, which include gasoline, are some of the strongest known oncogenes and mutagens. Of course, first of all, these substances provoke lung cancer, although they have a complex effect. Therefore, both the gasoline fumes that we inhale while filling up our cars and incompletely burnt fuel products have an extremely negative impact on people.

(Photo : Photo by Ryan De Hamer on Unsplash)

People with a weakened immune system and body detoxification system, i.e. children, the elderly, and people weakened by illnesses in cities are most exposed to the action of harmful substances. Undoubtedly, the reduction of air pollution in cities is one of the main ways to increase the duration and quality of life, which is why European countries are so actively developing new standards of both fuel quality and exhaust gas purification systems. Moreover, to regulate the use of cars, eco-friendly car rental is becoming popular. It's great to rent a car in Dubai and choose Tesla as the need to purchase a car is significantly reduced and you have a "green" car at hand.

In addition, the whole world is now fighting for "green" cities. This is due to the fact that, oddly enough, the best exhaust filters are trees. They perfectly catch and neutralize all harmful substances and humidify the air, which is essential for the proper functioning of the human respiratory epithelium, helping it clear the dust - the main source of chronic non-infectious respiratory diseases.

Modern research is irrefutable evidence of the dramatic impact of environmental pollution on the health of urban residents. In particular, the ciliated epithelium lining the upper respiratory tract functions as a mechanism for cleaning the respiratory system of harmful substances entering there with inhaled air. Over time, this function begins to be impaired by external toxic agents, such as inhaled smoke from smoking and other chemically active substances. As a result, the barrier-purifying function is impaired, hence the development of diseases of the system. Also as a result of intoxication the activity of other functional systems of the body is disturbed.

Conclusion

It is possible to draw an analogy between smoking and excessive air pollution in cities. Since it is not possible to carry out a mass relocation of residents from cities or quickly and cardinally improve the condition of the urban system, it is possible to cite numerous studies related to the impact of smoking cessation on health, cancer, including lung cancer, and the development of cardiovascular disease. WHO has developed a whole system (AirQ+) to assess the impact of air quality on morbidity, quality of life and years lost as a result of the development of lung and cardiovascular disease.