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SMOG: Causes, Effects and Preventions

DOI:10.21649/akemu.v22i4.1456
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Fizzah Arif at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation
Fizzah Arif
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p>Dear Editor, Recently many cities of Pakistan have been struck by the havoc of smog. Smog is formed when pollutants like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds that are released from automobiles, industries and burning of fossil fuels interact with sunlight. These photochemical reactions usually occur in summers and leads to the development of ground level ozone or bad ozone (O<sup>3</sup>) which is an important smog causing pollutant. This ozone adversely affects human health specially respiratory and cardiovascular system and is among the cause of premature deaths.<sup>1</sup> Fine particulates of 2.5 micrometer or less are also among the pollutants found in smog and haze.<sup>2</sup> Mechanism behind the damaging effect of ozone on cardiopulmonary system is explained to be due to high oxidizing power of ozone that forms free radicals exposing body to oxidative stress. Also, ozone and fine particulate air pollution are found to cause acute arterial vasoconstriction normally.<sup>2</sup> Moreover, Ozone causes reduction in vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1s, increase in lung resistance along with worsening of asthma in summers. It increases the release of allergens from pollens leading to respiratory allergy symptoms<sup>3</sup> and making the respiratory problems even worse. Reactive oxygen species like hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals produced in body by ozone and other pollutants increases the susceptibility of cancer in a person due to mutagenic properties of reactive oxygen species and their damaging effect on body cells.<sup>3</sup> Knowledge about Secondary preventive measures that one should take during smog must be spread as it will help people to cope up from the situation in a better way next time. These measures are minimal exposure to outdoor air but if exposure is inescapable than a facemask should be worn. Elderly and people experiencing any cardiac or respiratory illness are more prone to harmful effects of smog. These patients should increase the dosage of medication on their physician’s advice to prevent worsening of disease. Supplements and food containing antioxidants like omega 3 fatty acids when added to diet may help against oxidative stress caused by pollutants.<sup>4</sup> Steps should be taken to avoid the recurrence of this calamity. Media campaign for public awareness regarding the sources of pollutants causing smog should be launched. Banning deforestation and promotion of tree implantation is required nationwide as trees transpire and decreases temperature by cooling effect which indirectly prevents photochemical reactions to occur and minimizing the formation of air pollutants.<sup>3</sup> Recycling of solid waste is a good alternative to open burning of waste and garbage. Using low emission, low carbon fuels and combustion free power sources like wind and solar powerare important for primary prevention as these are safer for health and are also low cost and energy efficient.<sup>1</sup></p
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ANNALS VOL 22, ISSUE 4, OCT. – DEC. 2016 337
SMOG: Causes, Effects and Preventions
Fizzah Arif1
Dear Editor,
Recently many cities of Pakistan have been struck by
the havoc of smog. Smog is formed when pollutants
like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and volatile or-
ganic compounds that are released from automobiles,
industries and burning of fossil fuels interact with
sunlight. These photochemical reactions usually occur
in summers and leads to the development of ground
level ozone or bad ozone (O3) which is an important
smog causing pollutant. This ozone adversely affects
human health specially respiratory and cardiovascular
system and is among the cause of premature deaths.1
Fine particulates of 2.5 micrometer or less are also
among the pollutants found in smog and haze.2
Mechanism behind the damaging effect of ozone
on cardiopulmonary system is explained to be due to
high oxidizing power of ozone that forms free radicals
exposing body to oxidative stress. Also, ozone and
fine particulate air pollution are found to cause acute
arterial vasoconstriction normally.2 Moreover, Ozone
causes reduction in vital capacity and forced expi-
ratory volume in 1s, increase in lung resistance along
with worsening of asthma in summers. It increases the
release of allergens from pollens leading to respiratory
allergy symptoms3 and making the respiratory prob-
lems even worse. Reactive oxygen species like hydro-
xyl and superoxide anion radicals produced in body by
ozone and other pollutants increases the susceptibility
of cancer in a person due to mutagenic properties of
reactive oxygen species and their damaging effect on
1 4th Year Medical Student, Dow Medical College, Dow
University of Health and Sciences, Karachi – Pakistan
Contribution
All Authors have contributed in Study Design, Data Collection,
Data Analysis, Data Interpretation, Manuscript Writing and Appr-
oval.
body cells.3
Knowledge about Secondary preventive measures
that one should take during smog must be spread as it
will help people to cope up from the situation in a bet-
ter way next time. These measures are minimal expo-
sure to outdoor air but if exposure is inescapable than
a facemask should be worn. Elderly and people expe-
riencing any cardiac or respiratory illness are more
prone to harmful effects of smog. These patients sho-
uld increase the dosage of medication on their physi-
cian’s advice to prevent worsening of disease. Supple-
ments and food containing antioxidants like omega 3
fatty acids when added to diet may help against oxi-
dative stress caused by pollutants.4
Steps should be taken to avoid the recurrence of
this calamity. Media campaign for public awareness
regarding the sources of pollutants causing smog sho-
uld be launched. Banning deforestation and promotion
of tree implantation is required nationwide as trees
transpire and decreases temperature by cooling effect
which indirectly prevents photochemical reactions to
occur and minimizing the formation of air pollutants.3
Recycling of solid waste is a good alternative to open
burning of waste and garbage. Using low emission,
low carbon fuels and combustion free power sources
like wind and solar powerare important for primary
prevention as these are safer for health and are also
low cost and energy efficient.1
Conflict of Interest: None.
Financial Sources: None.
Acknowledgments: None.
References
1. World Health Organization. Ambient (outdoor) air qua-
lity and health. Fact sheet no. 313. (Online) 2016 Sep-
Letter to Editor
Corresponding Author: Dr. Fizzah Arif
Baba-e-Urdu Road, Dow Medical College Karachi – Pakistan
Email: aarif.fizzah@gmail.com.
FIZZAH ARIF
338 ANNALS VOL 22, ISSUE 4, OCT. – DEC. 2016
tember (Cited 2016 November 10). Available from
URL:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/
2. Uzoigwe JC, Prum T, Bresnahan E, Garelnabi M. The
Emerging Role of Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution in
Cardiovascular Disease. North American Journal of
Medical Sciences, 2013; 5 (8): 445-453.
Doi:10.4103/1947-2714.117290.
3. Sierra – Vargas MP, Teran LM. Air pollution: Impact
and prevention. Respirology (Carlton, Vic). 2012; 17
(7): 1031-1038.
Doi:10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02213.x.
4. Xing Y-F, Xu Y-H, Shi M-H, Lian Y-X. The impact of
PM2.5 on the human respiratory system. Journal of
Thoracic Disease, 2016; 8 (1): E69-E74.
Doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2016.01.19.
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