EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH
The vehicular pollutants have damaging effects on both human health and ecology. The human health effects of air pollution vary in the degree of severity, covering a range of minor effects to serious illness, as well as premature death in certain cases. These pollutants are believed to directly affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In particular, high levels of Sulphurdioxide and Suspended Particulate Matter are associated with increased mortality, morbidity and impaired pulmonary function.
| Pollutant | Effect on Human Health |
|---|---|
| Carbon Monoxide | Affects the cardio vascular system, exacerbating cardiovascular disease symptoms, particularly angina; may also particularly affect fetuses, sick, anemic and young children, affects nervous system impairing physical coordination, vision and judgments, creating nausea and headaches, reducing productivity and increasing personal discomfort. |
| Nitrogen Oxides | Increased susceptibility to infections, pulmonary diseases, impairment of lung function and eye, nose and throat irritations. |
| Sulphur Dioxide | Affect lung function adversely. |
| Particulate Matter and Respirable Particulate Matter (SPM and RPM) | Fine particulate matter may be toxic in itself or may carry toxic (including carcinogenic) trace substance, and can alter the immune system. Fine particulates penetrate deep into the respiratory system irritating lung tissue and causing long-term disorders. |
| Impairs liver and kidney, causes brain damage in children resulting in lower I.Q., hyperactivity and reduced ability to concentrate. | |
| Benzene | Both toxic and carcinogenic. Excessive incidence of leukemia (blood cancer) in high exposure areas. |