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Smog affects human health, the environment, wildlife, building materials and textiles. Seniors, children, pregnant women, people with heart and lung problems, those with asthma, smokers, people who exercise outdoors and those with allergies are at greatest risk from smog.
If you are a SENIOR, smog can:
- Aggravate your asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis symptoms
- Decrease your lung’s working capacity and make you more tired
- Increase your risk of getting sick by reducing your system’s ability to fight infections
I have a CHILD. How will smog affect my child’s health?
- Children are more susceptible to respiratory effects of smog such as wheezing and coughing
- Because children breathe more and faster than adults, more harmful chemicals can enter your child’s lungs
- More smog will enter your child’s lungs since children often breathe through their mouth rather than their nose. Unlike the mouth, the nose has a natural filtering system which reduced the amount of harmful chemicals
- Children are more susceptible since they spend more time outdoors
- Smog may make your child more susceptible to infection by reducing the ability of the child’s respiratory system to fight-off infection. Even without smog, children are more susceptible to infection
- Symptoms of asthma and allergies can be aggravated by smog
What if I have a HEART or LUNG condition? How will smog affect my health?
 Smog may worsen your asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis symptoms- Your lung’s working capacity may be reduced making you more tired and your breathing more difficult
- Your respiratory system’s ability to fight infection may be reduced making you more susceptible to infection
You can find more information on the health impacts of smog on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care website. |
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RESEARCH ABOUT DIESEL EXHAUST and Exposure of Children to School Bus Exhaust |
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The New Brunswick Lung Association, Health Canada, Environment Canada, and the New Brunswick Department of Education, with the help of the Research and Productivity Council of New Brunswick and Environment and Human Health Inc, Connecticut, have released their study on the level of exhaust pollutants on buses and on children’s walking routes to school.
Evaluation of the Levels of Diesel-related Pollutants from School Buses While Transporting Children
Full report: http://www.nb.lung.ca/pdf/School Bus Report EN Final.pdf
Research from OPHA ( Ontario Public Health Association)
Focus research report: 
School Buses, Air Pollution and Children's Health: Improving Children's Health and Local Air Quality by Reducing School Bus Emissions [PDF, 4.9MB], November, 2005 |
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Diesel Exhaust and Air Pollution |
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WHY IS DIESEL EXHAUST AN AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM?
Diesel exhaust is a mixture containing over 450 different components, including vapors and fine particles. Over 40 chemicals in diesel exhaust are considered toxic air contaminants by the State of California. Exposure to this mixture may result in cancer, exacerbation of asthma, and other health problems.
For the same load and engine conditions, diesel engines spew out 100 times more sooty particles than gasoline engines. As a result, diesel engines account for an estimated 26 percent of the total hazardous particulate pollution (PM10) from fuel combustion sources in our air, and 66 percent of the particulate pollution from on-road sources. Diesel engines also produce nearly 20 percent of the total nitrogen oxides (NOx) in outdoor air and 26 percent of the total NOx from on-road sources. Nitrogen oxides are a major contributor to ozone production and smog.
American Lung Association on Diesel Exhaust and Air Pollution http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=36089
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Ways to Reduce Air Pollution |
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We make choices everyday that can help reduce air pollution. Below are a few ideas that you can take to help clean our air.
At Home
- Conserve energy - turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
- Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. (This conserves energy and reduces production emissions.)
- Keep woodstoves and fireplaces well maintained. You should also consider replacing old wood stoves with EPA-certified models. Visit www.epa.gov/woodstoves.
- Plant deciduous trees in locations around your home to provide shade in the summer, but to allow light in the winter.
- Buy green electricity-produced by low-or even zero-pollution facilities.
- Connect your outdoor lights to a timer or use solar lighting.
- Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
- Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F.
- Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
- Test your home for radon-a dangerous, radioactive gas that is odorless and tasteless. If the test shows elevated levels of radon, the problem can be fixed cost effectively. Visit www.epa.gov/radon.
- Choose not to smoke in your home, especially if you have children. If you or your visitors must smoke, then smoke outside. Visit www.epa.gov/smokefree.
Buy Smart
- Buy ENERGY STAR products, including energy efficient lighting and appliances. They are environmentally friendly products.
- Buying a new vehicle? Pledge that your next vehicle will be an efficient, low-polluting model or hybrid.
- Choose products that have less packaging and are reusable.
- Buy less! Do you really need more 'things' cluttering your home. Live sensibly and the simple life. "Less is more!'
- Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
- Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
Drive Wise
Plan your trips. Save gasoline and reduce air pollution.
- Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
- In the summertime, fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in.
- When possible, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike.
- Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).
- Use an energy-conserving (EC) grade motor oil.
- Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
- Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
- Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.
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What Health Problems Are Caused by the Air Pollutants? |
Health Problems of Concern
 The toxic air pollutants of greatest concern are those that cause serious health problems or affect many people. Health problems can include cancer, respiratory irritation, nervous system problems, and birth defects.
Some health problems occur very soon after a person inhales a toxic air pollutant. These immediate effects may be minor, such as watery eyes. Or they may be serious, such as life-threatening lung damage.
Other health problems may not appear until many months or years after a person's first exposure to the toxic air pollutant. Cancer is one example of a delayed health problem.
source: EPA.gov
For full article click here |
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Research links on Air pollution |
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Websites on Air Pollution |
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There are many LITTLE reasons why we need to stop unnecessary pollution.