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Emission hazards and health impact
Short answer
Common pollutants include PM2.5/PM10, CO, SO₂, NOₓ, ground-level ozone, VOCs, lead, and black carbon. They cause respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD, lung cancer), cardiovascular disease, eye irritation, and premature death. PM2.5 enters lungs and blood; CO reduces oxygen delivery; SO₂ and NOₓ irritate airways; lead damages children's brains.
What are the common pollutants for the emission hazard? How can they affect health?
Air pollutants from fuel combustion (vehicles, industries, power plants, brick kilns, biomass burning) harm health and the environment.
Common pollutants and their health effects
| Pollutant | Main source | Health effect |
|---|---|---|
| Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) | Diesel vehicles, brick kilns, biomass burning, dust | Enters lungs and blood; asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, heart disease, premature death |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | Incomplete combustion; vehicles, stoves | Binds with haemoglobin and reduces oxygen delivery; headache, dizziness, death at high levels |
| Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) | Coal, diesel, smelters | Irritates eyes and respiratory tract, worsens asthma; acid rain |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) | Vehicles, power plants | Lung irritation, reduced lung function; leads to smog and ozone |
| Ground-level ozone (O₃) | Reaction of NOₓ and VOC in sunlight | Chest pain, cough, asthma attacks |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOC), benzene | Petrol, solvents | Cancer (benzene), nervous system effects |
| Lead (Pb) | Leaded petrol (banned in Nepal since 1999), batteries | Brain damage in children, anaemia |
| Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and CH₄ | All fuels | Climate change (global warming) |
| Smoke and black carbon | Firewood, dung | Respiratory infection, eye disease, low birth weight |
Health consequences in general
- Respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD, pneumonia in children).
- Cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
- Lung cancer and other cancers.
- Eye and skin irritation; reduced life expectancy.
- Air pollution is among the leading risk factors of death in Nepal; the Kathmandu valley and Tarai cities have very high PM2.5 in winter.
Control: cleaner fuels (electric and gas), emission standards, vehicle inspection, scrubbers and filters, and clean cooking.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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