Air Pollutants: Neshap's Adverse Health Effects Explained

The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard that is applicable within the United States to the emissions of hazardous air pollutants. These pollutants are known or suspected to cause cancer, serious health effects, or adverse environmental effects. The list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), or air toxics, includes compounds that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive issues or birth defects. Asbestos, for example, was one of the first hazardous air pollutants regulated under the air toxics program, with the Asbestos NESHAP requiring specific work practices to control the release of asbestos fibers.

Asbestos

The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard that is applicable within the United States to the emissions of hazardous air pollutants produced by corporations, institutions, and agencies at all levels of government. The hazardous air pollutants are those that are known or suspected to cause cancer, serious health effects, or adverse environmental effects.

Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos-containing building material that is being removed or disturbed during a renovation or demolition operation is regulated by the Asbestos NESHAP. The Asbestos NESHAP requires specific work practices to control the release of asbestos fibers. The regulations require the owner or operator of the renovation or demolition operation to notify the appropriate delegated entity (often a state agency) before any demolition or renovation. The Asbestos NESHAP also requires that asbestos-containing waste material be sealed in a leak-tight container while wet, labeled, and disposed of properly in a landfill qualified to receive asbestos waste.

Lung cancer

Air pollution is a significant threat to public health, with 99% of the world's population breathing unhealthy air. It is well-established that air pollution can cause lung cancer, with outdoor air pollution and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 microns being classified as carcinogenic to humans. These fine particles, known as PM2.5, can reach the breathing sacs in the lungs and even cross into the bloodstream, carrying toxic chemicals linked to cancer. The risk of lung cancer from air pollution is lower than from smoking, but it is important to note that globally, more people are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution than to toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke.

The sources of air pollution include energy production, industry, transportation, agriculture, cooking, and heating. Vehicle exhaust, smoke from fossil fuels, and fumes from factories and refineries release pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, which are particularly harmful to human health. In addition, the burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, further exacerbating the problem.

The impact of air pollution on lung cancer is not limited to those who smoke. Nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution. A study in England, South Korea, and Taiwan found a link between exposure to PM2.5 and an increased risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. Additionally, air pollution disproportionately affects people of lower socioeconomic status, with a study in the United States finding that the burden of lung cancer associated with PM2.5 was disproportionately borne by socioeconomically disadvantaged communities and black individuals.

The health risks of air pollution are serious, and the number of lung cancer deaths attributed to long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter has been on the rise. Advocacy for lowering sources of exposure and individual efforts to reduce personal exposure are important steps in mitigating the harmful effects of air pollution on lung cancer risk. This includes reducing indoor air pollution, such as second-hand tobacco smoke, which can also contribute to lung cancer risk.

To address the impact of air pollution on lung cancer, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes implementing measures to reduce air pollution, such as increasing green spaces, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and promoting active transportation. Additionally, improving public awareness about the risks of air pollution and providing education on mitigation strategies can empower individuals to take action to protect their health. By addressing air pollution and its impact on lung cancer, we can not only reduce the burden of cancer but also improve overall public health and well-being.

Asthma

Ozone (O3), a common air pollutant, is helpful in the upper atmosphere but harmful when found in the air we breathe. Inhalation of O3 interacts with antioxidants in the airway epithelial cells, and when the dose of O3 exceeds the protective capacity of antioxidants, adverse health effects are likely to occur. O3 induces oxidative stress, resulting in airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and reduced lung function in asthmatic adults. Additionally, O3 exposure can increase the risk of sensitization and response to inhaled allergens in asthma patients. Adults and children with Glutathione S-Transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) null genotypes are at an increased risk of developing asthma when exposed to O3 due to reduced glutathione-S-transferase enzyme activity.

Particulate matter (PM), which includes haze, smoke, soot, and airborne dust, can lead to serious air quality problems. The smallest particles (PM2.5) are the most dangerous as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. A study funded by the EPA found that children exposed to outdoor coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5) were more likely to develop asthma and require hospital treatment. Another study by the National Institutes of Health linked moderate levels of fine particulate matter and ozone in outdoor air to non-viral asthma attacks in children and adolescents from low-income urban areas.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a byproduct of emissions from vehicles and power plants, can cause someone to develop asthma and worsen lung disease, especially in children. Carbon monoxide (CO), formed from the incomplete combustion of fuels and wood, can be dangerous when it builds up indoors and in cars. Sulfur dioxide (SO2), produced by burning fossil fuels, transportation, industrial processes, and volcanoes, can also harm the lungs and lead to health problems.

Biological pollutants like mold, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and cockroaches may also trigger asthma attacks. Tobacco smoke contains formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and over 60 known carcinogens, posing a significant health risk.

Carbon monoxide

The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard that is applicable within the United States to the emissions of hazardous air pollutants. These hazardous air pollutants are known or suspected to cause cancer, serious health effects, adverse environmental effects, reproductive effects, or birth defects.

The studies indicate that acute exposure to carbon monoxide can exacerbate underlying cardiovascular issues, including enhanced myocardial ischemia and increased cardiac arrhythmias. In healthy individuals, acute exposure to carbon monoxide at certain concentrations resulted in compensatory cardiovascular responses and decreased exercise performance, which is consistent with CO-induced decreased O2 carrying capacity in the blood. Continuous exposure to carbon monoxide, even at lower concentrations, can also lead to P-wave deviations under resting conditions.

While fewer studies have focused on the respiratory effects of carbon monoxide exposure, brief exposure may decrease ventilatory performance. However, the respiratory tract does not appear to be a major target organ for carbon monoxide. Overall, carbon monoxide is a hazardous air pollutant that can have significant adverse health effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system, and is, therefore, a critical focus of the NESHAP regulations.

Volatile organic compounds

The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard that is applicable within the United States to the emissions of hazardous air pollutants produced by corporations, institutions, and agencies at all levels of government. Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are those pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive issues or birth defects, and adverse environmental effects.

The chemical transformation of VOCs leads to the production of highly reactive volatile substances, contributing to atmospheric ozone formation, acid deposition, organic aerosol formation, and photochemical smog formation in the atmosphere. They also contribute to the increased pollution rate and climate change. VOCs are classified based on how easily they can be emitted. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies indoor organic contaminants into three groups: extremely volatile organic compounds (VVOCs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs).

To reduce exposure to VOCs, it is recommended to ensure adequate ventilation in rooms, seek out alternative products, and follow any safety instructions on product labels. People with respiratory problems, young children, the elderly, and those with heightened sensitivity to chemicals may be more susceptible to irritation from VOCs.

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