Air pollutants and the body's reactions

Our bodies need air to breathe. Not just air, but air containing oxygen (O2). Every living thing needs oxygen to live. In fact, every part of your body depends on oxygen to survive. Breathing in is our bodies way of getting oxygen to our organ systems.

When we inhale, our bodies take in oxygen through our mouths and nose. Each breath travels through the throat, to the esophagus, and into the lungs. At the end of the journey, each breath is stored in sacks called alveoli, where the oxygen is transferred to the blood. The body uses the oxygen as fuel and will be carried throughout your body. It burns the fuel for energy and releases carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the body when we exhale as waste. The system of O2 in and CO2 out is called the gas exchange.

Air pollution is made up of a variety of chemicals. The main four that directly affect the body's gas exchange are:

• Ozone (O3) is a chemical emitted into the air from automobiles and factories. The sun’s light reacts with the ingredients and creates Ozone. When inhaled, ozone attacks the inner lining of the lungs, burning the lining like the sun can burn your skin– but inside your lungs!
• Large particulate matter refers to air particles that are up to 10 micros across in size. These particles are made up of dust, mold, pollen and bits of dirt in the air – usually produced when cars and trucks drive on paved or unpaved roads. When breathed in, particulate matter attaches itself to the lining of the lungs and blocks oxygen from being absorbed. This blockage causes mucous to form and often results in coughing and shortness of breath.
• Small particulate matter is tiny, less than 2.5 micros in size. They are produced during brush fires, from automobiles and through the use of toxic chemicals. Because of its size, small particulate matter is able to travel deeper into the lungs and cause greater health problems.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced when things burn, such as a car engine. CO travels deep into the lungs and throughout the blood stream. Once in the blood, the body carries the CO throughout the body affecting all organ systems.
  

When our breath contains chemicals other than oxygen, our bodies begin to react. A cause and effect relationship begins and can be identified through the following symptoms:

• Carbon dioxide - Headache, dizziness, restlessness, diffi culty breathing, sweating and fatigue
• Carbon Monoxide - Head ache, fatigue and death
• Lead - Affects nearly every organ system, especially the brain
• Mercury - Tremors, emotional changes, insomnia, weakness
• Pesticides - Skin/eye irritation and nervous system damage
• Radon - #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers