Smog is created by burning poor quality fuels, from transportation, and production activities. It is worsened by weather conditions like lack of wind. Smog persists during winter heating seasons in many countries. Particulate matter, especially fine particles (PM2.5), pose the greatest health risks as they can penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream. Long term exposure to particulate matter is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as other health impacts. Protecting oneself from smog involves limiting outdoor activities during high pollution periods, proper ventilation, using anti-smog masks if vulnerable, and maintaining a healthy diet.

1. the influence of smog and air
pollution on human health
-group 1

2. how is smog
created?
Air quality, and hence smog formation, are influenced by:
● burning poor quality fuels in home stoves,
● transport,
● production activity.
The weather is making things worse. On no wind, foggy days, the smog phenomenon is the most troublesome
for city dwellers. Smog persists in European countries from November to April, during the heating season.
The negative impact of smog on human health has been proven in many scientific studies. Today, it is
widely talked about an increased number of deaths and a reduction in life expectancy from air
pollution and smog.

3. pm 2.5 and pm 10 dust - smog components
Particulate matter is the air pollution that harms human health the most. The solid particles are
so light that they can float in the air. Some of its molecules are so small (one-thirtieth to
one-fifth the diameter of a human hair) that they not only penetrate deep into the lungs but also
penetrate the bloodstream like oxygen.
Some dusts are emitted directly into the atmosphere. Others are the result of chemical reactions
involving precursor gases, namely sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and ammonia, and volatile
organic compounds. These dusts can consist of various chemical compounds, and their impact
on our health and the environment depends on their composition. Some heavy metals, such as
arsenic, cadmium, mercury and nickel, can also be found in particulate matter. A recent study
by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particles
less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) may pose a greater health risk than originally estimated.
According to the WHO publication entitled "Review of evidence on health aspects of air
pollution", long-term exposure to particulate matter may cause atherosclerosis, adverse
delivery outcomes and respiratory diseases in children. The study also suggested a possible
negative association with nervous system development, cognitive function and diabetes, and
strengthened the cause-and-effect relationship between PM2.5 and deaths from cardiovascular
and respiratory diseases.

4. Smog consists of dust particles suspended in the air.
From the point of view of health protection and
promotion, these substances are particularly harmful. In
many studies you can find the term PM 2.5 and PM 10
dust. What are the differences? First of all, the size of the
molecules. PM 2.5 particles have a diameter of 2.5
micrometers, similarly, PM 10 dust is composed of
particles with a size of 10 micrometers. In addition,
dusts differ in the shape of the particles and the size of
their surface.
The source of the dust is fossil fuels and biomass. The
dust may also be of mineral origin, then it is the result of
soil erosion or comes from desert areas. Currently, based
on many scientific studies, it can be safely concluded
that dust from the combustion of biomass and fossil
fuels has a detrimental effect on human health.
Apart from dust, smog includes heavy
metals and transition metals,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
oxides of sulfur, nitrogen, carbon and
dioxins.

5. the impact of smog on health:
The harmful effect of smog affects almost the
entire human body. Seniors, children and
adolescents, as well as chronically ill people,
pregnant women and smokers are particularly
vulnerable to falling ill as a result of air pollution.
According to estimates in Poland, air pollution
causes the death of about 26-48 thousand people
every year. At the same time, low air quality
shortens the life expectancy of Poles - even by a
year.

6. ● Heart disease, including myocardial infarction, high blood pressure,
arrhythmias, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease.
● Respiratory diseases - lung cancer, respiratory infections, exacerbations
of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
● Cancers.
● Influence on the development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy -
low birth weight, premature delivery, death of the fetus.
● Problems with memory and concentration of attention.
● Deterioration of the mental state - anxiety, depression, reduced ability
to learn.
● Irritation of the skin and eyes.

7. How to protect yourself from smog?
While we have an influence on the emission of dust and air pollutants, some of the factors
determining the formation of smog are independent of humans. It is impossible to modify the
terrain, remove the fog, reduce air humidity or influence the winds. In the period of the greatest
intensity of smog, in the interests of health, it is worth following a few simple rules:
● Avoid being outside in the evenings and at night when dust concentrations are highest.
On days when alarm levels are exceeded, avoid leaving your home, refraining from moving
outside and exercising at the gym or swimming pool.
● Try to ventilate the rooms when the dust concentration is low - in the afternoons and late
mornings.
● If you are a person particularly exposed to the impact of smog - a senior, a person
diagnosed with asthma, COPD, you can consider buying an anti-smog mask. Remember to
choose a model that is of certified quality. A good quality mask will provide you with
protection and comfort of use.
● If you use an anti-smog mask, do not neglect to replace the filters regularly.
● Take care of a healthy and balanced diet. It has been proven that some ingredients -
vegetables, fruits, seeds, oils reduce the negative impact of smog on the body.
~

8. What else is harmful
in the air?
● Ozone:
Ozone is a special and highly reactive form of oxygen, consisting of three
oxygen atoms. In the stratosphere - one of the upper atmosphere - ozone
protects us from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation. But in the
lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, ozone is actually an
important pollutant that affects public health and nature. Ground-level
ozone is the result of complex chemical reactions between precursor
gases such as nitrogen oxides and non-methane VOCs. Methane and
carbon monoxide also contribute to the formation of ozone.
Ozone is highly toxic and aggressive. High ozone levels corrode
materials, buildings and living tissue. It reduces the ability of plants to
carry out photosynthesis and hinders the absorption of carbon dioxide.
In addition, ozone hinders the reproduction and growth of plants,
leading to lower yields and limiting forest growth. In the human body,
ozone causes pneumonia and bronchitis.
After being exposed to ozone, our bodies try to prevent it from entering
the lungs. This reflex reduces the amount of oxygen inhaled. If we
breathe less oxygen, our hearts work harder. Thus, for people suffering
from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases such as asthma, exposure
to high levels of ozone can be harmful, even fatal.

9. Ozone and particulate matter are not the only pollutants of concern
in Europe. Our cars, trucks, power plants and other industrial plants need
energy. Almost all vehicles and plants use some type of fuel and burn it to
get energy. Burning fuel usually changes the form of many substances,
including nitrogen - the most abundant gas in our atmosphere. When
nitrogen reacts with oxygen, nitrogen oxides (including nitrogen dioxide
NO2) are formed in the air. When nitrogen reacts with hydrogen atoms,
ammonia (NH3) is formed, which is another air pollutant with serious
negative effects on human health and the environment.
In practice, combustion processes release many other air pollutants, ranging
from sulfur dioxide and benzene to carbon monoxide and heavy metals.
Some of these pollutants have short-term effects on human health. Others,
such as some heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, accumulate in
the environment. Thanks to this, they enter our food chain and, as a result,
end up on our table.
Other contaminants, such as benzene, can destroy the genetic material of
cells and cause cancer when exposed to long-term exposure. Since benzene
is used as an additive to gasoline, around 80% of the benzene released into
the atmosphere in Europe comes from the combustion of fuel used by
vehicles.
Another known carcinogenic pollutant, benzo (a) pyrene (B (a) P), is
released mainly from the combustion of wood or coal in domestic stoves.
Another source of B (a) P is car exhaust fumes, mainly from diesel engines.
Not only is B (a) P carcinogenic, it can also irritate the eyes, nose, throat and
bronchial tubes. B (a) P can usually be found in particulate matter.

10. Thank you for your
attention <3