Introduction
There are many problems in the modern world that create challenges for people. The lack of access to health care or pure water, as well as poverty, famine, and other problems make the lives of millions of individuals rather difficult. At the same time, there are also manmade disasters that hinder the happy and healthy living of people. Air pollution is one of such crucial issues, and it demands immediate consideration.
Polluted air has a negative effect on people’s health and complicates the condition of those who already suffer from some diseases. One of the most vulnerable population groups is presented by pregnant women. Moreover, the health of fetuses can also be seriously damaged due to unclean air. Recent research performed in western Washington state has identified 117 cases of preeclampsia (Lee, Roberts, Catov, Talbott, & Ritz, 2013).
Scholars reported a high risk due to “ambient CO and PM2.5 exposures” (Lee et al., 2013, 546). Apart from preeclampsia, such serious conditions as gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes can develop in this population group (Malmqvist, Jakobsson, Tinnerberg, Rignell-Hydbom, & Rylander, 2013). The problem of air pollution is closely related to the issue of the energy supply of the US. According to the Pickens Plan, it is necessary to develop renewable energy sources in the country (“The plan,” n.d.). Pickens remarks that using solar and wind power could improve the country’s economy (“The plan,” n.d.).
However, it is possible to apply these arguments to the problem of air pollution as well. Through the exploitation of renewable energy sources, the nation will reach a decreased level of pollution, which will have a positive impact on the population. The key terms in this paper are “air pollution,” “environment,” and “sustainability.” Air pollution is defined as the process of making air dirty through industrial activity and traffic fumes. The environment is explained as the entity of air, soil, and water that is affected by humans. Sustainability is interpreted as a process of continuing without causing harm to the environment.
Due to the high level of air pollution in Washington state, there is a growing threat to the health of some population groups, such as pregnant women and people suffering from heart disease and respiratory infections. It is time to take action against the drastic statistics that continue to become worse. Many young adults living in Washington state do not bother thinking about the environment and considering what they could do to reach sustainability and eliminate harmful practices.
Meanwhile, vulnerable populations, such as people with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) or heart disease, pregnant women, and young children, fall victim to the dangerously high amount of negative particles in the air. Undoubtedly, achievements in the country’s economy are necessary for its successful development. However, if accomplishments in the sphere of the economy create obstacles for citizens’ health, the situation should be thoroughly analyzed, and some serious measured should be taken.
Many plants and factories that work hard to produce goods for people also produce a large amount of air-polluting fumes. Also, transport that people need every day for commuting contaminates the air they breathe. Every individual should understand that clean air is much more important than satisfying consumerism needs. Factories the activity of which infects air should be situated in remote regions.
Or, what is more important, they should change their methods of production to reduce infectious fumes. The same issue concerns cars and other kinds of transportation. Everyone should realize that using public transport or riding a bicycle is much better for the environment than driving a car. People need to think not only about the present but also about the future for themselves and their children.
The Effect of Polluted Air on Pregnant Women and Newborns
Pregnant women and babies are severely affected by air pollution (see Figure 1). Due to the detrimental effect of contaminated air on the organism of a pregnant woman, such serious disorders as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia can develop (Lee et al., 2013; Malmqvist et al., 2013). Specifically, the first-trimester exposure to particles (mostly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone) has the potential to elevate the risk not only for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia but also for preterm delivery and small for gestational age infants (Lee at al., 2013).
Moreover, there is a high risk of premature births due to being exposed to polluted air. As Desmon (2016) remarks, the cost of preterm births associated with air pollution in the US reaches $4 billion annually. Even if the level of pollution is low, a baby can develop serious health problems. Although particles from power plants, exhaust fumes, and other industrial sources get to the body through the lungs, recent evidence indicates that pollution can also affect pregnant women’s placentas (Desmon, 2016). It is crucial to focus more research on this problem, as well as alleviate the impact of industrial contamination on this vulnerable population.
The Impact of Air Pollution on ALRIs and Life Expectancy
Another severe problem initiated by air pollution is the increased number of ALRIs, especially in young children, which leads to the reduction of life expectancy (see Figure 2). Globally, ALRIs are responsible for 20% of mortality cases among young children (Mehta, Shin, Burnett, North, & Cohen, 2013). According to researchers’ data, there is a causal connection between exposure to PM2.5 and the ALRI prevalence (Mehta et al., 2013).
The most serious cases of ALRIs are represented by bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which compose the largest “single cause of mortality” among young children (Mehta et al., 2013, p. 69). Out of the two diseases, 90% of mortality cases are attributable to pneumonia, which means that there is a need to eliminate air pollution in order to reduce the danger posed to the lives of young children (Mehta et al., 2013).
The reduction of life expectancy is a serious outcome of exposure to air pollution. Correia et al. (2013) note that a reduction of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5 concentration is identified with the rise in mean life expectancy of “0.35 years SD= 0.16 years, p = 0.033” (p. 23). Scholars also remark that urban areas and remote counties are more likely to demonstrate the association between PM2.5 concentration decline and life expectancy growth (Correia et al., 2013). Therefore, since Washington state is densely populated, there is a high likelihood that its population is under the threat of reduced life expectancy due to air pollution issues.
The Rate of Heart Failure Incidence as Related to Air Pollution
There is a close relation between air pollution and heart failure hospitalization, which frequently results in heart failure mortality. As Shah et al. (2013) remark, there is a positive association between heart failure hospitalization and all particulate and gaseous air pollutants with the exception of ozone. Figure 3 demonstrates the influence of polluted air on one’s heart. Air pollution is a prevalent public health issue negatively affecting the cardiovascular system, and the negative outcomes of such prevalence are critical. Overall, the effect of air pollution on people’s cardiovascular system is highly negative, and it is important to take measures to increase citizens’ awareness and eliminate detrimental outcomes.
Taking into consideration the arguments mentioned above, it is crucial for every citizen to take action and eliminate the detrimental effect of air pollution on health. One of the possible options to do so is using public transport and riding bicycles instead of driving cars.
A sensational breakthrough has been introduced by inventors of a stroller that can be converted to a bicycle (In the know, 2018). This device allows eliminating pollution while doing physical exercise and taking children for a walk. The targeted population of this bicycle is represented by parents, especially mothers. By using such a convertible means of transport, one can move around without producing any danger to the air.
However, we need to bear in mind that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our state and the planet cleaner and make it a better place for our children. The problem of polluted air is too urgent for people to neglect it. Many children and adults die every day because of contaminated air. It is in our power to stop the dramatic tendency. Everyone should think they can do to increase the quality of air and reduce the damage to the environment. We should think sustainably so that we could live something good and healthy for the generations to come.
References
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Malmqvist, E., Jakobsson, K., Tinnerberg, H., Rignell-Hydbom, A., & Rylander, L. (2013). Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in association with air pollution. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(4), 488-493.
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