| "Stop smoking!" |
|
What constitutes the haze?
These include particulate matter (PM), which is defined as particles
found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke and soot,
ranging in size from 2.5 microns to 10 microns, and chemicals
such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide,
carbon monoxide, ozone, nitric oxide and other polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbon (PAH-chemical compounds formed by the incomplete
combustion or carbon-containing fuels such as wood, coal, diesel,
fat or tobacco).
|
| |
|
How does one measure the severity of haze?
FIVE pollutants are of particular importance due to the impact
on human health - particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide,
sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone. These five pollutants
are also used in the computation of the Air Pollutant Index (API).
|
| |
|
What are the individual effects of the various
pollutants measured in the API?
The API is essentially a series of numbers expressing the relative
levels of air pollution. It is used as an indicator of threat to
human health.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
In general, air pollution affects the respiratory,
circulatory and olfactory systems.
|
| |
| Pollutants |
Health |
| Carbon monoxide |
| - |
Reduction in the ability of the circulatory system
to transport oxygen |
| - |
Impairment of performance on tasks requiring vigilance |
| - |
Aggravation of cardiovascular disease |
|
| Nitrogen dioxide |
| - |
Increased susceptibility to respiratory pathogens
- more likely to suffer lung infections |
|
| Ozone |
| - |
Decrement in lung infection |
| - |
Coughing, chest discomfort |
| - |
Increased asthma attacks |
|
| Sulphur dioxide / particulate matter |
| - |
Increased prevalence of chronic respiratory disease |
| - |
Increased prevalence of acute respiratory disease |
|
| Peroxyacetyl nitrate / aldehydes |
|
|
| |
| What are the general symptoms of those affected? |
|
|
| |
|
Who is most affected by the haze?
|
 |
Children
|
|
Elderly |
|
Those with chronic disorders involving the
respiratory and cardiovascular systems
|
|
| |
|
What can you do?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|