The Implications of Air Pollution on Human Health
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is the implications of air pollution on human health. But for the successful completion of the study; the researcher intends to achieve the following sub-objectives;
- To assess the effect of air pollution on human health
- To assess the diseases caused by air pollution
- To ascertain the relationship between air pollution and human health
- To suggest possible ways on how to control air pollution
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Although a number of physical activities (volcanoes, fire, etc.) may release different pollutants in the environment, anthropogenic activities are the major cause of environmental air pollution. Hazardous chemicals can escape to the environment by accident, but a number of air pollutants are released from industrial facilities and other activities and may cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. By definition, an air pollutant is any substance which may harm humans, animals, vegetation or material. As far as humans are concerned an air pollutant may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or serious illness or may pose a present or potential hazard to human health. The determination of whether or not a substance poses a health risk to humans is based on clinical, epidemiological, and/or animal studies which demonstrate that exposure to a substance is associated with health effects. In the context of human health, ‘‘risk’’ is the probability that a noxious health effects may occur.
DEFINITION OF AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is suspended particles and gases including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. Suspended particles are called particulate matter (PM), which is a mixture of tiny particles and liquid droplets that includes acids, organic chemicals, metals, and dust. PM is measured by size: PM2.5 is 2.5 micrometers (μm) in diameter. For comparison, a human hair is 70μm in diameter.
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTANTS ON HEALTH
Given the fact that an average person inhales about 13,000-16,000 liters of air daily and 400- 500 million liters in his lifetime, then the importance of air quality for human health becomes clearer (Öztürk, 2005). The direct effects of air pollution on human health vary depending on the period of exposure to air pollution, intensity of air pollution, and thegeneral health condition of the population. Although the negative effects of air pollution can also be seen on healthy people, its effects create more serious problems in groups with higher vulnerability. Children and the elderly, those with respiratory tract diseases and cardiovascular diseases, those who are allergic, and those who do exercises are at more risk. It has been reported in such studies that air pollution increases the risk of acute respiratory tract diseases in children and leads to an increase in cardio respiratory morbidity and mortality (Bayram et al., 2006). As a result of the negative effects of air pollution on health, the following have been observed:
- An increase in lung cancer cases An increase in the frequency of chronic asthma crisis
- An increase in the frequency of asthma cases
- An increase in the frequency of coughing/phlegm
- An increase in the acute disorders of upper reparatory system
- An increase in eye, nose and throat irritation cases
- Reduction in respiratory capacity
- An increase in mortality
- A reduction in productivity and production
- An increase in medical treatment expenses
The relationship between air pollution and lung cancer has also been addressed in several case-controls. Studies focusing on morbidity endpoints of long-term exposure have been published as well (Cohen, 2000, Katsouyannı et al.,1997).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to the implications of air pollution on human health
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on the study the implication of air pollution on human health. 200 staff from different general hospitals in AkwaIbom state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the implications of air pollution on human health.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of air pollution on human health
Summary
This study was on implication of air pollution on human health. Four objectives were raised which included; To assess the effect of air pollution on human health, to assess the diseases cause by air pollution ,To ascertain the relationship between air pollution and human health, to assess on how to control air pollution. In line with these objectives, four research hypotheses were formulated and four null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff from different general hospitals in AkwaIbomwas selected randomly. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up Doctors, nurses, laboratory analysts and receptionistswere used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.
Conclusion
This study reviews the adverse effects of a number of (air) pollutants in human health. As shown, major impairments of different organs can be observed. The main conclusion drawn is that, in view of increased exposure of humans in a diversity of pollutants, dietary interventions, rich in plant-derived foods, may protect or decrease their effects on different organs.
Recommendation
- As diesel exhaust is very dangerous for health and it is the main source of fine particles, diesel vehicles should be avoided to the extent possible. For this, government should introduce economic tools, such as fuel tax, to discourage the use of diesel vehicles and at the same time promote cleaner alternatives such as electric vehicles.
- Although there are enough evidences linking air pollution and health impacts, some further studies should be done on the health effects of air pollution in Nigeria. These should be short studies aimed at stimulating action from policy makers and the general public.
- Public awareness campaigns are required to inform the people about the hazards of air pollution and what they can do to avoid and minimize air pollution.
REFERENCES
- Akkoyunlu, A. &Erturk, F. (2002).Evaluation of Air Pollution Trends in İstanbul.International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 18(4), pp.388-398.
- Anderson, H.R. (2000). Differential epidemiology of ambient aerosols, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society of London Series A-Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 358, pp.2771-2785
- Avol, E.L. Et al. (2001). Respiratory Effects Of Relocating to Areas Of Differing Air Pollution Levels. American Journal Of Respiratory And Critical Care Medicine, 164: pp.2067–2072
- Bayram, H., Dörtbudak, Z., Fişekçi, F. E. Kargın, M. &Bülbül, B. (2006).HavaKirliliğininİnsanSağlığınaEtkileri, Dünyada, ÜlkemizdeveBölgemizdeHavaKirliliğiSorunu, Dicle Tıp Dergisi, 33, pp.105-112.
- Cohen, A.J. (2000).Outdoor air pollution and lung cancer. Environmental health perspectives, 108: pp.743–750
- Çelikoğlu,M., (1999),Kocaeliİli’ndeHavaKirliliğiveMeteorolojikFaktörlerinAstımBronşialeÜzerineEtkisi (Thesis), KocaeliÜniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kocaeli/Turkey
- Çuhadaroğlu, B. (1997).Influence of some meteorogological factors on air pollution in Trabzon City. Energy and Buildings, Vol. 25, pp.179-184
