The Most Important Global Public Health Issue: AIR POLLUTION By: Maria Mueller Margaret Ndetti Dr. Butler Date: November 19, 2007

Overview Introduction Introduction Health Effects Health Effects Case Studies Case Studies Control Devices Control Devices Prevention Prevention Conclusion Conclusion

Introduction Air pollution: Air pollution: The presence of substances in the air at concentrations and frequencies that affect human health Source:

Major Pollutant Sources Combustion of fuels for electricity generation, transportation, industrial processes, heating and cooking Combustion of fuels for electricity generation, transportation, industrial processes, heating and cooking Some reactions in the atmosphere among air pollutants that produce secondary air pollutants. Some reactions in the atmosphere among air pollutants that produce secondary air pollutants.

Major Pollutant Sources Particles Particles Sulphur Oxides Sulphur Oxides Ozone Ozone Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Oxides: Most significant to human health is nitrogen dioxide Nitrogen Oxides: Most significant to human health is nitrogen dioxide Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and nickel. Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and nickel.

Health Effects Decreased lung capacity Decreased lung capacity Asthma Asthma Bronchitis Bronchitis Heart Problems Heart Problems Decreased Life Expectancy Decreased Life Expectancy

Air Pollution and its Impacts on Health Case Studies Santiago, Chile: Santiago, Chile: -5 million people - 800,000 vehicles High concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5. Particulate concentration is 74 μg/cubic meter. High concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5. Particulate concentration is 74 μg/cubic meter. Late fall and winter an inversion layer that prevails about m above the city, preventing natural dispersion. Late fall and winter an inversion layer that prevails about m above the city, preventing natural dispersion. Source:

Case Study Santiago Chile Association between PM10, PM2.5 and adverse health effects such as premature mortality and urgent care ailments Association between PM10, PM2.5 and adverse health effects such as premature mortality and urgent care ailments Health Effects quantified by using a threshold of 30 μg/cubic meter (EPA standard) and 20 μg/cubic meter (European Union limit value) Health Effects quantified by using a threshold of 30 μg/cubic meter (EPA standard) and 20 μg/cubic meter (European Union limit value) Daily counts of mortality from all causes between 1989 and 1991 and PM concentrations Daily counts of mortality from all causes between 1989 and 1991 and PM concentrations Results indicate that : For a threshold of 30 μg/cubic meter -700 cases of premature mortality cases of hospitalization for cardiovascular disease extra cases of respiratory disease

Case Study Santiago Chile For a threshold of 20 μg/cubic meter -860 cases of premature mortality cases of hospitalization for cardiovascular disease extra cases for respiratory disease They also found that : A 10 μg/cubic meter change in the PM was associated with 0.75% change in daily all cause mortality and 1.27% respiratory mortality

Case Study: Air Pollution and Mortality in Six U.S. Cities 8111 participants over 16 years; white men and women in six cities 8111 participants over 16 years; white men and women in six cities Mortality increased as concentration of air pollutants increased. Mortality increased as concentration of air pollutants increased. Fine, inhalable, and sulfate particles have more effect on mortality. Fine, inhalable, and sulfate particles have more effect on mortality.

Control Devices Scrubbers Scrubbers Baghouses Baghouses Adsorption systems such as activated carbon Adsorption systems such as activated carbon biofilters biofilters vapor recovering systems vapor recovering systems

Prevention Commute Alternatives: Commute Alternatives: Mass Transit Mass Transit Carpool Carpool Regulation of Emissions Regulation of Emissions

Conclusion Air Pollution is the most important global public health issue. Air Pollution is the most important global public health issue. Humans are exposed to air more than anything else. Humans are exposed to air more than anything else. Air pollution can increase the mortality rate in a population. Air pollution can increase the mortality rate in a population.

Questions

References Air Pollution Prevention. Earth Brunekreff,B. and Holgate, S. (2002). Air Pollution and Health. The Lancet. 360; Dockery, D.W., Pope, C.A., et. al. (1993). An Association between Air Pollution and Mortality in Six U.S. Cities. The New England Journal of Medicine. 329(24);