The document outlines various air pollutants and their harmful effects on human health and the environment, including sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, detailing their sources and mechanisms of action. It also discusses the impact of heavy metals like lead and mercury, highlighting the health risks associated with exposure and poisoning. Additionally, the document addresses both acute and chronic health issues resulting from exposure to these pollutants.

1. Prof (Dr) Viyatprajna Acharya, MD, PhD
www.drvpacharya.com

2. Substance that increases in quantity
due to human activity and adversely
affects the environment e.g. CO2,
SO2 ,Pb etc

3. A substance which is not present in
nature but released during human
activity e.g. DDT, Malathion

4. AIR POLLUTANTS

5. Pollutant/
Contaminant
Source Mech. Of
action
Adverse
effects
Sulfur dioxide Combustion of
coal & oil
SO2 & SO3 in
presence of water
vapor form
sulphurous &
sulphuric acid
•DPL affected
•↑ airway
resistance
•Bronchitis
•Lung CA
•Acid rain
Carbon monoxide Incomplete
combustion of
hydrocarbons,
aircrafts,
automobiles
Carboxy Hb
↓ supply of O2 to
tissues
Normal: 0.16%
carboxyHb
C/F appears > 20%
Death > 60%
Irritability,
dizziness,
numbness,
headache, nausea
etc

6. Carbon dioxide Deforestation,
burning of coal,
oil
Traps radiation,
↑earth temp
Green house
effect
Body adapts to
minor
alteration
Altered
electrolyte
balance
Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2)
Combustion of
fossil fuels
Combines with Hb
More harmful than
CO
•Irritation of eyes
& nose
•↓pulmonary
function
•Acid rain
Particulates Grinding ,
spraying, smoking
•Pulmonary
irritant
•Carry microbes

7. INDOOR POLLUTANTS

8.  Passive cigarette smoking- 3 times more
dangerous
 Formaldehyde
 Radon gas
 CFC
 Benzene
 Mercury

9. CORROSIVES

10.  Strong acids- Circulatory collapse, spasm of
glottis
 Strong alkalies- dehydrate & coagulate
proteins
 Salts- ZnCl2, KCN, Chromate

11.  Causes tissue anoxia by chelating ferric ions
of Cytochrome oxidase (IV)
 Suicide,Terrorists, factories dealing with
Prussic acid or KCN, ingestion of Amygdalin
 Antidote- Dicobalt edatate (Kelocyanor),
Sodium nitrite, Sod. thiosulfate

12.  Chemical irritants- P, Cl, Br, I
 Metallic irritants-As, Sb, Hg, Cu, Pb,
Zn, Ag
 Organic irritants- Castor, calotropis,
croton

13.  Pb
 Hg
 Al
 As
 Cd

14. Source: Paint
Exhaust of automobiles (TEL)
Lead pipes
Newspaper, xerox, printing
Batteries, soldering
radiator

15.  Cumulative poison
o 90%- bones
o 9%- blood
o 1%- brain
 > 10 mg/dl in children & > 25 mg/dl in adults –
Poisoning
 Crosses placenta
 Secreted in milk
 > 70 mg/dl- acute toxicity

16. Pregnancy: Miscarriage, still birth, premature birth
Children: MR, learning disabilities, behavioural
problems, hyper excitability, seizures
Anemia, abdominal colic, loss of appetite
Adult: neurologic damage, encephalopathy, mania
etc
Anemia, abdominal colic, Nephropathy
Blue line in gums
Basophilic stippling of RBCs (agglutination of
ribosomes)
Globin synthesis affected
Pb inhibits ALA synthase & dehydratase

17.  Lead level in blood
 Measurement of ALA in urine or serum
 Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin

18.  Calcium dodecyl edatate
 Penicillamine
 BAL
 Dimercaptosuccinic acid

19.  Elemental
 Inorganic
 Organic

20.  Elemental: Pulmonary edema,
encephalopathy
Chronic– Erethism- oral lesions, tremors,
hatter’s shake, Mercuriolentis, psycho.
Changes
 Inorganic: Gingivitis, gastritis, vomiting, pulm
edema
 Chronic– Erethism, CRF (Alice inWonderland)

21.  Organic source: Minamata disease
Triad : Dysarthria, ataxia, visual field
constriction

22. www.drvpacharya.com