We all know that clean air is essential to good health. But the sad part, toxic air pollutants and contaminants affect the air we breathe. According to several studies, about 80 percent of polluted air in the country comes from mobile sources such as buses, cars, and jeepneys. The other 20 percent is emitted by industrial sources such as power plants and factories and area sources such as open burning of garbage, smoking and construction activities.

1. By Liwayway Memije-Cruz

3.  Toxic air pollutants and contaminants affect
the air we breathe. According to several
studies, about 80 percent of polluted air in the
country comes from mobile sources such as
buses, cars, and jeepneys. The other 20 percent
is emitted by industrial sources such as power
plants and factories and area sources such as
open burning of garbage, smoking and
construction activities.

4.  The effects of air pollution on
human health can be very
great and can give birth to a
multitude of health problems.
The effects can range from
irritated eyes and nose,
headaches, fatigue, wheezing,
long-term acute changes in
lung function, respiratory
illness, impairment of the
immune system, shortened life
expectancy, and
cardiovascular diseases such
as heart attack, stroke, and
even sudden death.

6.  Pollutants are chemicals and chemical compounds
that can contaminate the air we breathe

7.  Carbon Monoxide (CO).
 Ozone (O3).
 Nitrogen Oxide( NOx)
 Particulate Matter.
 Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

8.  It is an odorless and
colorless gas produced by
the incomplete burning of
carbon-based fuels,
including gasoline, oil and
wood. It can also build up
in high concentrations in
enclosed areas such as
garages and along
roadsides during heavy
traffic.

10.  It is a gas is a variety of oxygen. Ozone
in the upper atmosphere is known as
the ozone layer, which shields the
Earth from the sun’s dangerous
ultraviolet rays. However, at ground
level it is considered a pollutant with
highly toxic effects. Some of the major
sources of ground-level ozone are
vehicles and industries. Some of the ill
effects of this pollutant include
irritations in the respiratory tract,
chest pain, persistent cough and an
increased susceptibility to lung
infection.

12.  Nitrogen oxides are
produced from burning
fuel, gasoline and coal. It is
a major contributor to smog
and acid rain. In high doses,
smog can harm humans
especially asthmatics and
can cause general illness to
the respiratory system. Acid
rain, on the other hand, can
harm vegetation and
change the chemistry of the
water thus affecting marine
life.

14.  It is any type of solid particles in
the air in the form of smoke, dust
and vapors. Particulate Matter is
produced by many sources,
including burning of diesel fuels by
vehicles, fossil fuels, mixing and
application of fertilizers and
pesticides, road construction,
industrial processes and operations
of woodstoves. Some microscopic
particles in the air can be breathed
into the lungs causing increased
respiratory diseases and lung
damage.

15.  It is an odorless gas at low
concentrations, but can have a
very strong smell at high
concentrations. So2 is a gas
produced by burning coal, most
notably in power plants. Some
industrial processes, such as
production of paper and
smelting of metals, produce
sulfur dioxide. It can harm
vegetation and metals and can
cause lung problems, including
breathing problems and
permanent damage to lungs.

16.  These are organic chemicals
that are found in gasoline,
industrial chemicals such as
benzene, solvents such as
toluene and xylene, and
perchloroethylene (principal
dry cleaning solvent). Vehicle
emissions are an important
source of VOCs. These
chemicals are released from
burning fuel, such as
gasoline, wood, coal, and
from solvents, such as paints,
glues, and other products
used at home or work.