Introduction
Air pollution is among the leading causes of global warming worldwide. Air contamination is also known to have a diverse effect on respiratory health. India is among the countries that are rapidly rising due to industrialization, resulting in immense air pollution. Short and long-term exposure to contaminated air is linked to health effects and is deemed worse on people who are already gravely ill. This paper, therefore, explains what I would teach Indian citizens regarding the delicate particulate matter (PM2.5) effects and the strategies to implement to reduce PM2.5 exposures.
Health Effects of Air Pollution
PM2.5 has many health effects that affect the worldwide population. According to Balakrishnan et al. (2019), PM2.5 in the air irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. PM2.5 are small, fine particles and are dangerous because they can penetrate the deep lung parts and eventually into the bloodstream. Hence, adverse exposure to this contaminant is a leading cause of asthma, lung cancer, and acute respiratory distress (Balakrishnan et al., 2019).
Additionally, air pollutants damage the skin by increasing oxidative stress (Balakrishnan et al., 2019). Usually, the skin acts as a shield against air pollutants, but exposure to high contaminants may have a fatal effect on the skin. These effects may result in dehydration, skin sensitivity, uneven skin, acne, or premature aging. Furthermore, contaminated air negatively impacts the health of pregnant women and child development. The pollutants can go across the placenta and damage the child’s growth (Balakrishnan et al., 2019). As a result, children may suffer from impaired lung development, lower birth weight, or early alterations in immune development.
Outdoor air pollution is a general environmental health risk and is a leading cause of cancer menace. Exposure to air pollution, such as second-hand smoke, ultraviolet radiation, asbestos, and other chemicals, is a leading cause of an increment in cancer cases (Balakrishnan et al., 2019). Lastly, releasing harmful products into the air by companies is a leading cause of premature death. Some chemicals are harmful and cause defects in the lungs without warning. These chemicals remain suspended in the air by dust particles and water droplets, making them harmful to anyone who inhales them.
Recommendations to Avoid Exposure
One proven method to avoid exposure is to minimize activities that emit fine particles and stay away from emission sources. These activities include burning candles, gas logs, and incense in a covered room. Indoor burning of these materials predisposes one to the finite particles that eventually enter the system through the nose, eyes, and mouth (Balakrishnan et al., 2019). In addition, wearing protective gear such as an N95 mask is also an effective method to prevent PM2.5 (Balakrishnan et al., 2019). This mask is suitable for filtering most air contaminants.
Government Strategies to Improve Air Quality
The government of India should ensure that air treatment is a common practice among companies. A compressed air treatment system reduces the dew point and separates harmful particles that would be health hazards (Balakrishnan et al., 2019). Furthermore, the Indian government may make progress by educating its citizens on the impact of air pollution on their health and the environment (Balakrishnan et al., 2019). Educating people makes them aware of the risk they impose on themselves when exposed to air contaminants. Hence they can be in control.
Conclusion
In conclusion, industrialization has played a vital role in the development of India, but that has not been without adverse effects. The many industries operating in India have increased the level of PM2.5 in the air, thus compromising air quality. Therefore, strict laws that emphasize the importance of clean air should be implemented. People should be able to go about their lives without fear of getting sick from the air they breathe.
Reference
Balakrishnan, K., Dey, S., Gupta, T., Dhaliwal, R. S., Brauer, M., Cohen, A. J., Stanaway, J. D., Beig, G., Joshi, T. K., Aggarwal, A. N., Sabde, Y., Sadhu, H., Frostad, J., Causey, K., Godwin, W., Shukla, D. K., Kumar, G. A., Varghese, C. M., Muraleedharan, P., & Agrawal, A. (2019). The impact of air pollution on deaths, disease burden, and life expectancy across the states of India: The global burden of disease study 2017. The Lancet Planetary Health, 3(1), 26–39. Web.