Health Economics of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution - Literature review Example

HEALTH ECONOMICS OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION Name: Course: Instructor: Institution: Date of Submission Introduction Air pollution has continued to be a health concern for many countries worldwide. Countries such US and many Europe countries are believed to have ratified anti- air pollution laws many year ago but they have not eradicated totally air pollutions. Countries control mostly outdoor air pollution through a series of strategies such as the executive orders signed to control pollution and adherence to WHO legislations on air pollution. Outdoor air pollutions have been widespread because policy makers focus on the industrial pollutants treatment and disposal rather than source reduction as argued by Lu et al (2016). Source reduction is more substantial in controlling air pollutions as compared to waste management as recommended by Ni et al (2016). The impacts of air pollution on human health majorly depends on individual’s present fitness, the type of pollutant and its concentration and duration of exposure to air pollution. Haberzettl et al (2016) argues that high air pollution results to immediate health complications such as asthma and cancer whereas continuous exposure to low air pollution zones leads to gradual accumulation of dust particles in the lungs, which leads to breathing difficulties and reported deaths. This paper will examine the causes of both indoor and outdoor air pollution, effects of air pollution on health, how to monitor air pollution and policy enactment in prevention of air pollution. Causes of air pollution According to Philips et al (2016) air pollution contributes significantly to environmental health problems which have hit both developing and developed nations. In developing countries the highest air pollutions experiences have been due to indoor air contamination as suggested by Thomas (2017). The indoor air contamination is caused by biomass cooking using cow dung, coal and open fire cooking using charcoal. The causes of air pollution ranges from emission of dangerous gases such carbon dioxide to forest fires as discussed below, The first cause of air pollution according to Haberzettl et al (2016) is industry emissions .Industrial processes releases pollutants which include nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide during combustion. Low emission of these gases is less toxic as stated by Lu et al (2016) but as a result comprehensive production, factories have extremely released the gases in the environment leading to pollution. The reaction of nitrous oxide, sunlight and volatile organic compounds leads to formation of ozone. Ozone according to Antweiler (2017) causes irritation to the respiratory system which can result to asthma and bronchitis. Air pollution can also be caused by wood fires. O’Donovan et al (2017) argues that burning wood releases particulate matters into the air, which includes a mixture of extremely smaller particles and liquid droplets. The smaller particles of dust and gases when inhaled accumulate into the lungs leading to breathing problems and strain of the heart as further concluded by Li et al (2o17). The accumulated particles ends up blocking the alveoli leading to health complications such asthma. In addition, air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions. The ever increasing number of public transport vehicle and other private road unworthy vehicles has led to increased levels of air pollution (Ierodiakonou et al 2016). The combustion of petrol, diesel and other alternative fuels releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, unburnt hydrocarbons and dust particles into the air. The emission from large number of both private and public transport vehicles add up to significant air quality problem as purported by Sammarco et al (2017). The released gases which are generally invisible when inhaled by human leads respiratory complications and long exposure leads to lung failure which results to death. More so, air pollution is caused by smoking. Tobacco smoking as shown by Thomas (2017) releases more than 40 components of carcinogens which forms a lethal form of air pollution harming both animal and human life. Smoking is both an indoor air pollution and an outdoor air pollutant as argued by Hu et al (2016). When an active smoker smokes inside an enclosed hall or house it is indoor pollution whereas smoking in the public areas such as market place forms outdoor air pollution. During the cigarette manufacturing process millions of tons of chemicals such as ammonia, ethylene glycol and nitric acid are released to the atmosphere hence causing air contamination as further explored by Philips et al (2016). In addition, air pollution is caused by natural occurrences such as volcanoes and tornadoes. According to Hu et al (2016) volcano eruptions and tornadoes stir up debris leading to widespread air pollution. Thomas (2017) further argues that natural erosion of rocks and soil weathering process result release of toxins such as radon into the atmosphere leading to air pollution. The release of radon to environment endangers human health because the component is the second leading cause of cancer in US according to research by national cancer institute as illustrated by Antweiler (2016). In the event of heavy winds, dust particles are spread all over clouding the atmosphere. The dust particles are inhaled together oxygen accumulating in the alveoli which leads breathing complications in animals and human beings. Air pollution can also be associated with increasing levels of deforestation worldwide. As human beings clear forests for settlement they tamper with atmospheric gaseous balance. Philips et al (2016) argues that trees accumulate carbon dioxide used to manufacture food during photosynthesis and hence cutting down trees means extreme accumulation of carbon dioxide which cause air pollution. Forests act as store for carbon dioxide through a process called carbon sequestration. Lastly , according to Sammarco et al (2017) ,the common causes of indoor air pollution includes, radon which is an invisible radioactive gas released during rock formation in some building materials in homes, smoke from fireplaces, cooking fires and stoves, mold which grows in damp, dark and warm conditions inside the house and carbon monoxide released during charcoal combustion. Effects of air pollution on health. A research by Ierodiakonou et al (2016) concluded that health effects associated with air pollution differs from individual to individual depending on factors such as health conditions, age and exposure one makes with polluted air. Children and elderly are the more susceptible groups to air pollution and will suffer from pollution even at lowest levels. Health effects associated with air pollution includes, First, the particles released into the atmosphere by pollutants such wood fires and combustion of petrol and diesel when inhaled by human, enters the respiratory tract causing inflammation of respiratory organs such as alveoli argues Haberzettl et al (2016). The continuous accumulation of these dust particles causes total failure or inflammation of the lungs. According to health research by Ni et al (2016), many deaths occurs as a result of dysfunction or inflammation of the lungs. The inflammation of respiratory organs increases breathing rates and hence high oxygen requirements which strains the heart causing heart failure and death in many cases. Secondly, the release of carbon monoxide gas into atmosphere causes low oxygen uptake into the blood streams (Lu et al, 2016). This component combines with haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin hence hindering oxygen transportation leading to death. It can also lead to reduction in oxygen supply to the heart more often in people suffering from heart diseases. Polluted air contains substances such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone. As argued by O’Donovan et al (2017) the two gases irritate the airways of the lungs and hence leading to respiratory problems. Li et al (2017) supports that in individuals suffering from lung diseases it increases the disease symptoms and with continued inhalation of the gases it will lead to death. The long term exposure to air pollution can result to cancer and permanent damage to the immune, respiratory and neurological system. The component present in both indoor and outdoor air pollution radon as per the research has caused many cancer instances in US. The component released as a result of rock weathering has radioactive rays that can cause cancer. Long term exposure to this invisible radioactive gas can cause death (Thomas 2017). Exposure to air pollution mostly high dose air pollutants leads to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat as illustrated by Antweiler (2017). The smog causes low visibility and therefore strain of the eye. Emission of gases such carbon monoxide reacts with nitric oxide to form ozone which can cause irritation of the eye and skin. When dust particles are inhaled in large quantities they coat the respiratory system causing irritation in the throat and massive sneezing. Continued exposure to such conditions can lead to throat cancer. Components such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter lead to suppressed lung growth in both adults and children, asthma and as an onset to type 2 diabetes as discussed by Sammarco et al (2017). Air pollution reportedly causes insulin resistance hence incidence of type 2 mellitus. More so, air pollution affects pregnant mothers (Philips et al 2016). It hampers supply of oxygen needed by expectant mothers in foetus brain development. The rampant air pollution in countries such as china due to mining and volcanoes eruptions has been the cause of brain related complications in newborns. Monitoring of air pollution As discussed by Antweiler (2017), monitoring of pollution is done through air sampling to check the levels of pollution. The following strategies have been enacted to monitor air pollution, Passive monitoring This involves the use of diffusion tubes that absorbs the specific pollutants from ambient air. The monitoring is usually takes 2-4 weeks at a time. The tubes are then sent to the laboratory for analysis to gauge the pollution rates detected in the air (Sammarco et al 2017). Active sampling This step involves an analyzer pulling ambient air through a filter for a stipulated time frame. As recommended by Sammarco et al (2017) the period can range from one filter per day or otherwise as decided by the analyzer. The filters are then collected and taken to the laboratory for a series of analysis to determine the levels of pollution detected. Automatic checking. The air that an analyzer pulls can recognize gas present with a series of calculations conducted to ascertain the concentration of the gas. The pollutant monitoring is done automatically in the site for 24 hours a day. Then data from the site is sent directly to the computer instantly (Sammarco et al 2017). The information gathered is published to enable the public know the level of pollution and the current air quality. If the quality of air for the day a head is poor, the information is conveyed via a forecasting system called’ know and respond’ Photochemical sensor system They include portable monitoring tools which detects a range pollutants continuously. As argued by Antweiler (2017), the sensors used are of little sensing hence most suitable for identifying locations near the main sources and the road sites. Extensive track observing The technique senses air contamination amid a bright font and a sensor located at different points at the site. The sampling method can take real time measurements and data sent directly and instantly to the computer. The techniques discussed are mostly suitable for monitoring outdoor air pollution however indoor air pollution can be monitored by use of software gadgets such as PCC-05IQ and graywolfs (Antweiler 2017). Policy in preventing air pollution Different countries have unique strategies of managing air pollution. In the US air pollution has been given high priority since the effects of pollution has received extensive budgets ranging to billions every years (Antweiler 2017). The country has controlled air pollution through enactment of policies and signing of executive orders on controlling air pollution. The acts passed to control pollution have section which ensures, Enactment of laws on pollution permits as recommended by Antweiler (2017). This is a market based scheme directed at reducing air pollution by encouraging companies to reduce on pollution released to environment. The permits creates incentives because a firm will be able to sell their excess permits to other firms. Policies on subsidies. Thomas (2017) argues that the government may decide subsidize the alternatives and the consumers and firms can be willing to switch. For instance if the government subsidizes solar power it can form an alternative for the use coal and hence reduce air pollution. Subsidy of solar power will help in its development because it will become competitive. Use of regulations. Eu has ensured many regulations in limiting the pollution of air as further recommended by Antweiler (2017). The body has set limits for the amount of pollutants into the air and companies that exhibit the limits punished by the law. The legislations are always goal oriented as opposed to use market based incentives as discussed by Ierodiakonou et al (2016). Pollution tax. According to Ni et al (2016), tax is used to ensure that consumers and companies that pollute air pay for social costs of pollution. Example of such taxes include petrol and carbon tax. The government can use substantial revenues ensued from taxes to finance pollution reduction schemes such as subsidy of alternatives. Summary and conclusion In this paper, air pollution both indoor and outdoor have high health concerns on human beings. Some of the causes of air pollution discussed include, wood fires, industrial emission of gases, deforestation and vehicle emissions. The pollutant discussed include, carbon monoxide, nitric dioxide and ozone. Air pollutions according to the paper has many effects such as lung strain, cancer and death when the emission of pollutants become extreme. The policies used to gap air pollution includes use of tax, subsidy of alternatives and legislations. Air pollution monitoring techniques include passive monitoring, active sampling, automatic point sampling, optical sensor systems and long path monitoring. In conclusion, air pollution has adversely affected human health and hence the need of proactive actions to gap the emission of hazardous gases into the atmosphere. All the stakeholders including consumers and companies should towards eradicating air pollution because it has led to endangers diseases such as asthma and bronchitis that claim lives of many people worldwide every year. References Ni, K., Carter, E., Schauer, J. J., Ezzati, M., Zhang, Y., Niu, H., ... & Baumgartner, J. (2016). Seasonal variation in outdoor, indoor, and personal air pollution exposures of women using wood stoves in the Tibetan Plateau: Baseline assessment for an energy intervention study. Environment International, 94, 449-457. Lu, C., Deng, Q., Li, Y., Sundell, J., & Norbäck, D. (2016). 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Using geosocial search for urban air pollution monitoring. Pervasive and Mobile Computing, 35, 15-31. Read More