**3. The environment and health**

The environment we live in is a major determinant of our state of health, from the rural zones to thick urban communities, the sort meals we eat and water we drink, places we live to the spots we work, and hence harm to our indigenous habitat, likewise brings about harm to human wellbeing. Factors, like inaccessible, safe drinking water and sanitation, air pollution and changes in climatic conditions contribute to 23% of all deaths globally and 36% of all deaths among youngsters between the ages of 0 and 14. It is estimated that 1.8 billion individuals get drinking water from fecally contaminated water sources and 2.5 billion individuals live without essential sanitation facilities, increasing the rate of diarrheal infections, malnutrition and deaths. Insufficient water for hygienic purposes, consumption of unsafe water and absence of access to sanitation together makes up about 88% of deaths from diarrheal diseases, resulting in 11% of mortality of kids younger than 5 [7].

Health impacts associated with damage to our environment are numerous and diverse ranging from diarrheal and vector-borne diseases to respiratory diseases, ischemic heart disease and stroke to mental health impacts of extreme weather events, failing livelihoods, conflict and displacement [8]. This therefore implies that in order to reduce the incidence of disease more attention needs to be paid to reducing the environmental causes such as:

Poor air quality: about 3 billion people depend on wood, charcoal, animal compost, and crop waste as fuel for the supply of energy in households. Fifty to seventy percent of Africa's populace cooks with solid fuel, majorly exposing women and children to massive quantities of pollutants, in various concentrations, posing considerable health risks to humans, hence increasing the risk of diseases like pneumonia and chronic respiratory disorders on such exposures.

Poor sanitation diseases such as diarrhea result from poor sanitary conditions and unsafe water and are responsible for the deaths of 1.8 million people every year amounting to an estimated 4.1% of the total DALY global burden of disease. 88% of this disease burden is attributable to unsafe water supply, poor sanitation and poor hygiene practices. Provision of safe drinking water and sanitation are important measures of improvement.

Poor landscape and urban land management poor landscaping and lack of urban and regional planning contribute to overpopulation and overcrowding. This will increase the spread of infectious diseases, favor the proliferation of pest, poses a lot of pressure on the basic amenities and infrastructure, increased areas of stagnant water and thereby increasing the risk of malaria. Across the globe, about 30 million cases of malaria are being recorded yearly, leading to over a million deaths, with approximately 90% of these deaths occurring majorly among young children in Africa. Malaria makes up 10% of Africa's overall disease burden and is the main cause of death among children under the age of five. Africa bears over us\$ 12 billion in lost GDP yearly due to malaria.

Overexploitation and degradation of natural resources: a major factor contributing to food insecurity is over exploitation and degradation of natural resources, it reduces the capacity of the land to produce crops and sustain livestock. The resultant effect of food shortage is malnutrition and in worst cases, starvation. Asides reducing immunity to other diseases, severe cases of malnutrition also causes stunting in children and hinders healthy development. According to World Health Organization, across the globe, one in seven people are affected by hunger. Also, of the 10.9 million child deaths each year, half is attributable to malnutrition+ [7].

### **4. Air-induced respiratory disorders**

Air is a mixture of gases comprising the atmosphere, living things requires air for their existence. Thus the quality of air we breathe in is a vital indicator of our state of health. When we breathe in polluted air, the pollutants get inhaled deep into the lungs, resulting in serious harm to the respiratory tract. Polluted air can set off new cases of asthma, worsen existing cases of respiratory diseases and trigger the development or advancement of chronic illness including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema. Air pollutants also have a considerably adverse effect on lung development, thus, increasing the vulnerability for developing lung diseases in the long run [9]. Burning of wood, animal waste, and crops (biomass fuel) is an important source of particulate matter indoors in developing countries, Secondhand smoke is also an important source of indoor air pollution [10]. Air pollution-related lung disease increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disorders and may increase the risk of lung cancer. Long-term exposure to air pollution may increase respiratory infections and symptoms of respiratory disorders (such as cough and difficulty breathing) and decrease lung function.

Ozone, a primary air pollutant and basic constituent of smog, is a strong lung irritant. During the year, levels are noticeably higher during summer likewise in contrast with other period of the day, ozone levels tend to be higher, late in the morning and early in the afternoon. Short-term exposures can cause breathing

**57**

also outdoor triggers.

*Environmental Media and Associated Respiratory Defects*

difficulties, chest pain, and airway hyperactivity. Participating in outdoor activities on days when ozone pollution is high can increase the risk of developing asthma among children. Long-term exposure to ozone causes a small, permanent decrease in lung function. When fossil fuel that are high in sulfur content are burnt, they acidic particles called sulfur oxides, which are deposited in the upper respiratory tract and can cause constriction and irritation resulting in increased risk of chronic bronchitis and symptoms like breathing difficulty. Particles affect the lung in various ways, depending on their primary material. Particles of the same material also may have different effects depending on their size and shape. Variation in environmental conditions and location affects the level of pollutants in the air. For instance, on warm and humid days, ozone tends to remain in the air. Carbon monoxide levels also tend to be high during peak periods when many commuters drive to or from work. The Air Quality Index is utilized to convey how polluted the air is at a given point in time. Individuals, particularly those with heart or lung disorders, can utilize the Air Quality Index to manage their choice of outdoor activities on days

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91389*

when pollution levels are high [10].

0–50 Good 51–100 Moderate

151–200 Unhealthy 201–300 Very unhealthy 301–500 Hazardous

*Source: msdmanuals.com.*

*Research Triangle Park, NC, 2009. Air Quality Index.*

**AQI values Air quality condition**

101–150 Unhealthy for members of sensitive groups

*Adapted from US Environmental Protection Agency: Air Quality Index: A guide to air quality and your health.* 

Children are more vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution. They inhale through their mouths, bypassing the sifting impacts of the nasal entries and permitting pollutants to travel further into the lungs. They have a larger lung surface area comparative with their weight and breathe in generally more air, compared to grown-ups. Children also spend more time outdoors especially in the afternoon and throughout the summer months when ozone and other pollutant levels are at their peak and may disregard early indications of impact of air pollution such as, an asthma exacerbation leading to severe attacks. A combination of these with the adverse impact of some pollutants on lung development and the immaturity of children's enzyme and immune systems that detoxify pollutants, results in series of factors that contribute to children's increased sensitivity to air pollutants [9]. Asthma is a chronic disease which affects the bronchi and bronchioles of the lungs characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, it causes a sensation of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Over 20 million people in the U.S., including six million children now gasp for breath due to asthma [9]. Asthma triggers are numerous and vary; dust, smoke, pollen, and volatile organic compounds are examples of asthma triggers. Primary pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides are

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an irreversible condition caused by exposure to pollutants that produce inflammation, and

### *Environmental Media and Associated Respiratory Defects DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91389*

*Respiratory Physiology*

measures of improvement.

in lost GDP yearly due to malaria.

**4. Air-induced respiratory disorders**

Poor air quality: about 3 billion people depend on wood, charcoal, animal compost, and crop waste as fuel for the supply of energy in households. Fifty to seventy percent of Africa's populace cooks with solid fuel, majorly exposing women and children to massive quantities of pollutants, in various concentrations, posing considerable health risks to humans, hence increasing the risk of diseases like

Poor sanitation diseases such as diarrhea result from poor sanitary conditions and unsafe water and are responsible for the deaths of 1.8 million people every year amounting to an estimated 4.1% of the total DALY global burden of disease. 88% of this disease burden is attributable to unsafe water supply, poor sanitation and poor hygiene practices. Provision of safe drinking water and sanitation are important

Poor landscape and urban land management poor landscaping and lack of urban and regional planning contribute to overpopulation and overcrowding. This will increase the spread of infectious diseases, favor the proliferation of pest, poses a lot of pressure on the basic amenities and infrastructure, increased areas of stagnant water and thereby increasing the risk of malaria. Across the globe, about 30 million cases of malaria are being recorded yearly, leading to over a million deaths, with approximately 90% of these deaths occurring majorly among young children in Africa. Malaria makes up 10% of Africa's overall disease burden and is the main cause of death among children under the age of five. Africa bears over us\$ 12 billion

Overexploitation and degradation of natural resources: a major factor contributing to food insecurity is over exploitation and degradation of natural resources, it reduces the capacity of the land to produce crops and sustain livestock. The resultant effect of food shortage is malnutrition and in worst cases, starvation. Asides reducing immunity to other diseases, severe cases of malnutrition also causes stunting in children and hinders healthy development. According to World Health Organization, across the globe, one in seven people are affected by hunger. Also, of the 10.9 million child deaths each year, half is attributable to malnutrition+ [7].

Air is a mixture of gases comprising the atmosphere, living things requires air for their existence. Thus the quality of air we breathe in is a vital indicator of our state of health. When we breathe in polluted air, the pollutants get inhaled deep into the lungs, resulting in serious harm to the respiratory tract. Polluted air can set off new cases of asthma, worsen existing cases of respiratory diseases and trigger the development or advancement of chronic illness including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema. Air pollutants also have a considerably adverse effect on lung development, thus, increasing the vulnerability for developing lung diseases in the long run [9]. Burning of wood, animal waste, and crops (biomass fuel) is an important source of particulate matter indoors in developing countries, Secondhand smoke is also an important source of indoor air pollution [10]. Air pollution-related lung disease increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disorders and may increase the risk of lung cancer. Long-term exposure to air pollution may increase respiratory infections and symptoms of respiratory disorders (such as cough and difficulty breathing) and decrease lung function. Ozone, a primary air pollutant and basic constituent of smog, is a strong lung irritant. During the year, levels are noticeably higher during summer likewise in contrast with other period of the day, ozone levels tend to be higher, late in the morning and early in the afternoon. Short-term exposures can cause breathing

pneumonia and chronic respiratory disorders on such exposures.

**56**

difficulties, chest pain, and airway hyperactivity. Participating in outdoor activities on days when ozone pollution is high can increase the risk of developing asthma among children. Long-term exposure to ozone causes a small, permanent decrease in lung function. When fossil fuel that are high in sulfur content are burnt, they acidic particles called sulfur oxides, which are deposited in the upper respiratory tract and can cause constriction and irritation resulting in increased risk of chronic bronchitis and symptoms like breathing difficulty. Particles affect the lung in various ways, depending on their primary material. Particles of the same material also may have different effects depending on their size and shape. Variation in environmental conditions and location affects the level of pollutants in the air. For instance, on warm and humid days, ozone tends to remain in the air. Carbon monoxide levels also tend to be high during peak periods when many commuters drive to or from work. The Air Quality Index is utilized to convey how polluted the air is at a given point in time. Individuals, particularly those with heart or lung disorders, can utilize the Air Quality Index to manage their choice of outdoor activities on days when pollution levels are high [10].


*Source: msdmanuals.com.*

*Adapted from US Environmental Protection Agency: Air Quality Index: A guide to air quality and your health. Research Triangle Park, NC, 2009.*

*Air Quality Index.*

Children are more vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution. They inhale through their mouths, bypassing the sifting impacts of the nasal entries and permitting pollutants to travel further into the lungs. They have a larger lung surface area comparative with their weight and breathe in generally more air, compared to grown-ups. Children also spend more time outdoors especially in the afternoon and throughout the summer months when ozone and other pollutant levels are at their peak and may disregard early indications of impact of air pollution such as, an asthma exacerbation leading to severe attacks. A combination of these with the adverse impact of some pollutants on lung development and the immaturity of children's enzyme and immune systems that detoxify pollutants, results in series of factors that contribute to children's increased sensitivity to air pollutants [9].

Asthma is a chronic disease which affects the bronchi and bronchioles of the lungs characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, it causes a sensation of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Over 20 million people in the U.S., including six million children now gasp for breath due to asthma [9]. Asthma triggers are numerous and vary; dust, smoke, pollen, and volatile organic compounds are examples of asthma triggers. Primary pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides are also outdoor triggers.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an irreversible condition caused by exposure to pollutants that produce inflammation, and immunological response. It is characterized by narrowing of the airways. In larger airways, the inflammatory response is referred to as chronic bronchitis. It leads to tissue damage or emphysema in the tiny air cells at the end of the lung's smallest passageways [9]. Emphysema is a chronic disease that causes reduction of the respiratory surface due to the damage to the lung alveolar walls. It is caused mainly by cigarette smoking, dust, chemicals and exposure to passive cigarette smoking. The main symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath and cough. Emphysema might lead to a loss of elasticity of the lungs.

Lung cancer in the U.S, the main cancer killer in both men and women is lung cancer, is frequently (and precisely) related with smoking tobacco. While that is valid, there are also other risk factors associated with lung cancer, along with air pollution. Particulate issue and ozone are also implicated in mortality due to lung cancer [9].
