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Health Effects of Air Pollutants

The effect of pollutants on human health depends on pollutant concentration in the ambient air and the duration to which the human beings are exposed. Adverse health effects of different pollutants on human health are given in Table 1.5 for short term and long term exposures. Carbon monoxide on inhalation is known to combine with haemoglobin at a rate 200 to 240 times faster than oxygen thus reducing oxygen supply to body tissues and results in CO intoxication. Nitrogen oxides get dissolved in mucous forming nitrous and nitric acids causing irritation of nose throat and respiratory tract. Long term exposure causes nitrogen oxides to combine with haemoglobin and destruction of red blood cells. Long term exposure resulting in more than 10% of haemoglobin to combine with nitrogen oxides causes bluish colouration of skin, lips fingers etc

Table 1.5

Adverse Health Effects of IC Engine Generated Air Pollutants

Pollutants	Short-term health effects	Long-term health effects
Carbon monoxide	Headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, impaired judgment, lack of motor coordination	Effects on brain and central nervous system, nausea, vomiting, cardiac and pulmonary functional changes, loss of consciousness and death
Nitrogen dioxide	Soreness, coughing, chest discomfort, eye irritation	Development of cyanosis especially at lips, fingers and toes, adverse changes in cell structure of lung wall
Oxidants	Difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, eye irritation	Impaired lung function, increased susceptibility to respiratory function
Ozone	Similar to those of NO₂ but at a lower concentration	Development of emphysema, pulmonary edema
Sulfates	Increased asthma attacks	Reduced lung function when oxidants are present
TSP/Respirable suspended particulate	Increased susceptibility to other pollutants	Many constituents especially poly-organic matter are toxic and carcinogenic, contribute to silicosis, brown lung