Air Pollution And Health by Jane Thurnell-Read

Images of pollution over some of the major cities in Asia is dramatic, but for those of us in less urbanised and industrialised areas it is easy to view it as a remote problem. After all, our air doesn’t look like that, does it? But there are problems with air quality in many countries, even where we cannot see any obvious cause for concern.

The most obvious problem is pollens in the air. Many people know the annual misery of hay fever. Recent research on quercetin, shows that it inhibits the body’s production and release of histamine, which is involved in allergic reactions. It has been found to be a great natural hay fever relief. Quercetin is found in citrus fruits, buckwheat and onions, but you will probably need to take it as a supplement to have a significant effect if you’re suffering from hay fever.

People often worry about the pollen from large, showy flowers, but it is the small ones that are likely to do the most damage. These are generally wind-pollinated, and the pollen can travel many miles. This pollen are less than 10 micrometres in size, and can easily be inhaled deep into the lungs. Heavier pollen falls to the ground or is taken safely on by bees.

Size isn’t only relevant to pollen. Scientists talk about the size of particulate matter. Particulate matter is made up of airborne microscopic particles. There are two groups which are categorised according to size: PM10 and PM2.5.

PM10 are particles of less than 10 micrometres but more than 2.5 micrometres. These originate from smoke, dirt and dust from industry, vehicle exhaust fumes, pollens and moulds. PM2.5 (less than 2.5 micrometres in size) comes from heavy metals and toxic organic compounds produced by industry. PM2.5 can travel further than PM10 because they are lighter. These light particles can travel thousands of miles. Volcanic dust, for example, has been shown to cross continents with ease. Industrial pollution has been found far from man’s activity. Sand and dirt blown by winds from roadways, fields, and construction sites is usually bigger than PM10, and so is less of a problem for our long term health.

Both PM10 and Pm2.5 particles can be inhaled, and almost everyone will have some of these particles in their lungs. In a study in New York of 3000 autopsies half had asbestos particles in their lungs. A study published in the Journal of The American Medical Association in 2006 showed the link between the smaller type of particulate matter and heart and respiratory problems. Both cardiac and respiratory admissions to hospital increased on days when levels of PM2.5 were particularly high. The statistics in this study are very convincing because the number of people involved is very high: the researchers analysed data from 1992 to 2002 for hospital admissions for 11.5 million people.

We may not have levels of pollution such as exist in China or in other highly urbanised and industrialised areas, but we do not have any reason to be complacent. As well as hone-grown pollution, winds can bring in pollution from far away. You may feel that it is governments and big companies that need to do something, but the factories in China and elsewhere are producing goods for everyone including us. Even though they are bearing the brunt of the pollution damage, we can still be affected. We all need to do our bit by reducing our need for more and more consumer goods. We are all in this together.

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