Common Air Pollutants and Their Health Effects

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Common air pollutants and their health effects

 Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)


 Ozone (O3)
 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
 Carbon monoxide (CO)
 Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Further information on what you can do to limit your exposure to air pollution check our
webpage about the Air Quality Index (AQI). For the current Air Quality Index values, visit the
webpage from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

Air toxics
Air toxics are another group of air pollutants that are typically present in low concentrations in
the air but have toxic characteristics that may result in health effects from exposure even at low
levels. Sources of air toxics included motor vehicle exhaust and some commercial and industrial
processes.
In 2004, the National Environment Protection Council made the National Environment
Protection (Air Toxics) Measure which addresses the five priority air toxics: benzene,
formaldehyde, toluene, xylenes and benzo (a) pyrene (as a marker for polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons). The goal of the Measure is to improve the information base regarding ambient
air toxics within the Australian environment in order to facilitate the development of standards.

Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)

Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution or PM, is a term that describes extremely
small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. Particulate matter can be made up of a
variety of components including nitrates, sulphates, organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust
particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen or mould spores). Particle pollution mainly
comes from motor vehicles, wood burning heaters and industry. During bushfires or dust
storms, particle pollution can reach extremely high concentrations
The size of particles affects their potential to cause health problems:
 PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less): these particles are small enough to
pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect
the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects.
 PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less): these particles are so small they
can get deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream. There is sufficient evidence that exposure
to PM2.5 over long periods (years) can cause adverse health effects. Note that PM10 includes
PM2.5.
Potential health effects from exposure to particulate matter:
There are many health effects from exposure to particulate matter. Numerous studies have
showed associations between exposure to particles and increased hospital admissions as well
as death from heart or lung diseases. Despite extensive epidemiological research, there is
currently no evidence of a threshold below which exposure to particulate matter does not cause
any health effects. Health effects can occur after both short and long-term exposure to
particulate matter.
Short-term and long-term exposure is thought to have different mechanisms of effect. Short-
term exposure appears to exacerbate pre-existing diseases while long-term exposure most
likely causes disease and increases the rate of progression.
Short-term exposure (hours to days) can lead to:
 Irritated eyes, nose and throat
 Worsening asthma and lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis (also called chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease or COPD)
 Heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heart beat) in people with heart disease
 Increases in hospital admissions and premature death due to diseases of the respiratory and
cardiovascular systems
Long-term exposure (many years) can lead to:
 Reduced lung function
 Development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases
 Increased rate of disease progression
 Reduction in life expectancy

Ozone (O3)

Ozone, O3, is composed of three oxygen atoms joined together. Two oxygen atoms joined
together form the basic oxygen molecule O2. The additional third atom makes ozone an
unstable, highly reactive gas. Ozone is found in two areas of the Earth’s atmosphere: in the
upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us by filtering
out damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
On the other hand, ozone at ground level is damaging to our health. Ground level ozone is the
main component of smog and is the product of the interaction between sunlight and emissions
from sources such as motor vehicles and industry. Ground level ozone is more readily formed
during the summer months and reaches its highest concentrations in the afternoon or early
evening.
Ozone can travel long distances and accumulate to high concentrations far away from the
sources of the original pollutants. Ground level ozone can be harmful to our health even at low
levels. This includes ozone generated by ozone generators.
Potential health effects from exposure to ozone:
 Irritation and inflammation of eyes, nose, throat and lower airways: coughing, sore and scratchy
throat or uncomfortable feeling in chest
 Reduced lung function: not able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as you normally would
 Exacerbation of asthma and chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis (also called
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD)
 Increased susceptibility to respiratory infections
 Can continue to damage lungs when symptoms have disappeared
Nitrogen Dioxide (N02)

Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas formed by emissions from motor vehicles, industry,
unflued gas-heaters and gas stove tops. High concentrations can be found especially near busy
roads and indoors where unflued gas-heaters are in use.
Other indoor sources can be from cigarette smoke or from cooking with gas. Outdoors, nitrogen
dioxide contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone (O3) as well as particulate matter
pollution. Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritant and has a variety of adverse health effects on
the respiratory system.
Potential health effects from exposure to nitrogen dioxide:
 Increased susceptibility to lung infections in people with asthma
 Increased susceptibility to asthma triggers like pollen and exercise
 Worsened symptoms of asthma – more frequent asthma attacks
 Airway inflammation in healthy people

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless gas which forms when the carbon in fuels
doesn’t completely burn. It is usually generated by motor vehicles and industry but can also be
formed during bushfires. Indoors, carbon monoxide is formed by unflued gas heaters, wood-
burning heaters, and contained in cigarette smoke.
Carbon monoxide levels are typically highest during cold weather, because cold temperatures
make combustion less complete and traps pollutants close to the ground.
Carbon monoxide can cause harmful health effects by reducing the amount of oxygen reaching
the body’s organs (like the heart and brain) and tissues. At extremely high levels, carbon
monoxide can cause death (carbon monoxide poisoning).
Potential health effects from exposure to carbon monoxide:
 Flu-like symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue
 Chest pain in people with coronary heart disease
 At higher concentration: impaired vision and coordination, dizziness and confusion
 Potentially serious health effects on unborn babies when exposed to high levels

Sulphur Dioxide (S02)

Sulphur dioxide is highly reactive gas with a pungent irritating smell. It is formed by fossil fuel
combustion at power plants and other industrial facilities.
Natural processes that release sulphur gases include decomposition and combustion of organic
matter, spray from the sea, and volcanic eruptions. It contributes to the formation of particulate
matter pollution. Sulphur dioxide irritates the lining of the nose, throat and lungs and may
worsen existing respiratory illness especially asthma. It has also been found to exacerbate
cardiovascular diseases.
Potential health effects from exposure to sulphur dioxide:
 Narrowing of the airways leading to wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath
 More frequent asthma attacks in people with asthma
 Exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases

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