EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects such as: Accelerated aging of the lungs. Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function. Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.

Detailed explanation-2: -This study shows that long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants is significantly associated with increasing emphysema. Emphysema is a gradual damage of lung tissue due to thinning and destruction of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs and can be related to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Detailed explanation-3: -Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defects.

Detailed explanation-4: -Ozone exposures seemed to pose the greatest risk. A difference in ozone levels of 3 parts per billion over a decade was associated with an increase in emphysema equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for almost 30 years. Ozone was also associated with declines in air flow in the lungs.

Detailed explanation-5: -The main cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants, including: Tobacco smoke. Marijuana smoke. Air pollution.