Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental issue that we face today and greatly impacting the futures of our lives. As we age, our immune systems gradually deteriorates and this case with air pollution, our lung's immune system is affected, and this allows particulate matter(from vehicles/power plants) from the air to get by and slowly buildup. A study from researchers at Columbia University analyzed lung immune tissue from donors of age ranging from 11 to 93 years old, and noticed that the older the lungs were the more build up they observed of the particulate matter. Even though the donors were nonsmokers or had no history of heavy smoking.
With how impactful something like fossil fuel is to out economy/society, the issue of Air pollution will be at a constant problem unless a solution comes up. Almost millions die from air pollution yearly and is something we will always be on the receiving end of the consequences. Such as how the longer we live, the more buildup of the particulate matter that are built up within our lungs which will eventually blacken due to the build up even if we never smoked in our lives. The buildup will affect the daily workflow of our lung's immune system and cause them to not work properly.
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I agree, the air pollution crisis is significant! This is concerning because like you mentioned our immune systems weaken thus premature chronic illnesses can be developed. Also, genetic mutation is very likely to occur. I am stating this solely based papers I read on Chernobyl's long term outcomes for pregnant women during the time of explosion (1986) in neighboring countries.
ReplyDeleteI took a class on Environmental Issues, and air pollution was a big part of it. Air pollution is a much bigger issue than most people realize. I've read that 99% of the world's population lives in an area with air that whose contaminant level exceeds WHO guidelines. It's crazy how we don't even realize how bad it's gotten.
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