Effects of Air Pollution
Health
effects from exposure of people to the "classical" air pollutants
sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and suspended
particulate matter include
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changes in lung function parameters
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exacerbation of respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms,
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effects on development
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effects on the central nervous system, and
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odour annoyance.
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respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
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The
Hamilton Clean Air Network has been doing some work on the
health risks of pollutant exposure near major roadways. The evidence is
clear that the air pollutant levels near Hwy 403 / Hwy 6 in Hamilton put
the population leaving near those roadways at much higher risk.
Smog-Ontario Leads the
Way
During the
summer months, Ontario is home to the "smog capital" of
Canada: the city of Windsor in the southwest. As for the
city of Toronto, smog is not the only concern for
residents during the summer. Other pollutants
contributing to the city's and Ontario's air quality
problem include particulate matter, nitrogen oxide,
sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic
compounds (VOC) and toxic pollutants such as benzene and
furans. In Ontario, air pollution originates from a
variety of resources, with one of the main sources being
vehicle emissions. Industrial sources of pollution
include combustion processes such as fossil fuel-fired
power generation and industrial processes for iron and
steel, chemical processing and petroleum refining. And
as in Quebec, residential wood stoves are a source of
pollution in Ontario.
The Weather Network
Particulate Matter
Airborne particulate matter, known as PM, is one of the major components of
smog. Airborne particles exist in a range of sizes. The finer particles, less
than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) having the greatest adverse effect on
human health.fine particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs reaching areas
where the cells replenish the blood with oxygen. Studies show that the effects
of PM on human health include impaired lung function, lung infection, asthma,
chronic bronchitis, emphysema and various forms of heart disease.
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