The Effect of Pollution on Respiration

Air pollutants enter the body through absorption into the skin and through breathing. Pollutants can have many harmful effects, especially to the respiratory system.

Lung Pain

• Ground level ozone gas is caused by car exhaust, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents. High ozone levels can cause lung pain when a person inhales deeply.

Asthma

• Individuals who have asthma can experience an increase in coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks when exposed to air pollution.

Lung Cancer

• Lung cancer can be caused by chemicals that attach to dust particles suspended in the air. The size of the particles, the type of chemicals and the length of exposure can increase the risk of lung cancer.

Decline in Lung Function

• Researchers from Brigham Young University studied healthy children and found that an increase in airborne particulate matter caused an obstruction of airways and a decline in lung function.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

• Indoor air pollution, from exposure to cooking gas without proper ventilation, can cause chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoke is another type of pollution that can cause these chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.