Air pollution health alert - Northern NSW Local Health.
The World Health Organization defines air pollution as “the presence of materials in the air in such concentration which are harmful to man and his environment.” ADVERTISEMENTS: In fact air pollution is the occurrence or addition of foreign particles, gases and other pollutants into the air which have an adverse effect on human beings, animals, vegetation, buildings, etc.
Smoke and air quality information The Bureau of Meteorology works closely with state and territory fire agencies to support their operations and keep Australians safe. State and territory health and environment agencies are responsible for monitoring bushfire smoke and warning the community when the air quality exceeds safe levels.
Older adults: Older people are more likely to be affected by air pollution, perhaps due to generally weaker immune systems, or undiagnosed respiratory or cardiovascular health conditions. As people age, their bodies are less able to compensate for the effects of environmental hazards. Air pollution can aggravate heart disease and stroke, lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis (also called.
Another study published in 2013, comparing levels of air pollution across 14 sites in 9 countries, found links between high levels of air pollution and low birth weights. Weight at birth is a factor affecting children’s health, including the risk of infection and developmental delays (Dadvand et al. 2013).
Nevertheless, the effects of air pollution are shocking. It causes numerous diseases in human organisms, animals, natural crops, ruins the balance of the environmental system, and even causes deaths. Air pollution is the largest environmental pollution risk factor. According to the research of WHO, seven million people around the world died because of the air contamination effects in 2012.
From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause about 7 million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Air pollution can cause health problems. For example, high concentrations of air pollutants (poor air quality) can aggravate existing respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis, or increase the risk of respiratory problems. Government sets air quality objectives. To protect the environment against harmful and unhealthy levels of air pollution, the government has adopted objectives to.