Health Matters: Air Pollution

Air pollution is continously growing problem in many countries especially in Pakistan. It has shows many negative affects on health. Every breath we take carries invisible particles that can harm our lungs and body ecosystem. In my city, mostly people overlooked this issue in past and still not focusing on it but now our climate has changed. To understand air pollution we should know it sources that I will discuss today.

There are a lot of sources from both humans and natural activities. Some of them I want to discuss here:

1. Industrial Emissions

Factories and industries release harmful gases and particles into the air. These include smoke, chemicals, and carbon dioxide from burning fuels like coal and oil. These harmful emissions contribute in air pollution thats why now mostly countries have shifted industries outside of cities except few countries including Pakistan.

2. Transportation

Cars, buses, trucks, and airplanes are major sources of pollution. They burn fossil fuels like petrol and diesel releasing harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Traffic blockage makes it even worse which you can easily experience when you get stuck in traffic.

3. Burning of Waste

When waste materials like plastics, paper, and rubber are burned they release toxic chemicals and smoke into the air. This is common in areas with poor waste management. They must be a recycling process and I am against burning of waste.

4. Natural Causes

Volcanoes, wildfires, and dust storms are natural sources of air pollution. These events release ash, smoke, and other particles into the atmosphere. Although these events are natural but they still contribute to air pollution.

The air pollution which we are facing now is not only affecting children and elder but they are affecting healthy young people as well. Air pollution can cause harm in many ways including breathing problems, coughing (I face this few days back), and lungs diseases like asthma.

The tiny particles enter our lungs when we breathe and then in bloodstream that leads to serious health issues like heart problems or strokes. Children and elderly are especially vulnerable in such situations because children lungs are developing and elders already have weak immune system. In this case, air pollution can cause serious harms to health.

Breathing in polluted air can cause several health problems. Common symptoms includes coughing, sneezing, and a scratchy throat. Some people might feel their chest tighten or have difficulty breathing. Few days back in my city Multan when pollution index cross 1500points, I went out on bike and pain started in my chest.

Polluted air can also irritate eyes causing redness and watering just like when we cut onions. Long-term exposure can lead to asthma, lung infections, and heart problems. It can also increase chances of stroke and lung cancer. Protecting ourselves from polluted air is important to stay healthy.

People like us can do their job in reducing air pollution by making small changes in their daily habits. Using public transportation or riding a bike instead of driving alone can lower pollution because it will reduce number of vehicles on road. Saving energy at home by turning off unnecessary lights and appliances is efficient way to cut down pollution sources.

We can plant trees and small plants in our house. I have a tree and few plants in my house and believe me air feels fresh when I go near them. Plants are best way to reduce air pollution as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen which is important for breathing.

We can avoid burning waste material and can recycle them to make different products. By making these small changes on individual level we can clear our environment.

There is no doubt urban areas are more polluted than rural areas because of heavy traffic, factories, and construction work. Cities have more cars and buses which release harmful gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. In industries smoke and chemicals make the air pollute.

In rural areas, air pollution index is low but it is doesnt mean air is totally clean there. Farmers burn crop wastes and use fertilizers that also release harmful gases like ammonia. But in terms of urban areas, rural areas are way too clean.

This is all from me for the "Health Matters: Air Pollution" I invite @steemdoctor1, @mini80, and @paholags to participate in this contest.