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International Journal
of Recent Scientific
International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Research
Vol. 5, Issue, 7, pp. 1248-1255, July, 2014
ISSN: 0976-3031
REVIEW ARTICLE
OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
1*C. Lavanya, 2Rajesh Dhankar, 3Sunil Chhikara and 4Rajbala Soni
1, 3 University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Maharishi Dayan and University, Rohtak, Haryana, INDIA
2, 4 Department of Environmental sciences, Maharishi Dayan and University, Rohtak, Haryana, INDIA

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History: In developing countries problem of industrialization, modernization and increasing
th population degrades the society with polluted air. Moreover, concentration of
Received 15 , June, 2014
pollutants increases day by day with addition of harmful gases from exhaust of
Received in revised form 27rd, June, 2014
motor vehicles and industrial sources. With passage of time, people realized that
Accepted 14th, July, 2014
polluted outdoor air has serious effects on their health. Outdoor air pollution is
Published online 28th, July, 2014
nuisance challenge for public health hazards like cardiovascular disease, respiratory
Key words: diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma which spread
Outdoor air pollution, Climate, Health hazard, throughout the world. The broad overview of the status of and trends in outdoor air
Cardiovascular disease, Motor vehicles, Respiratory pollution sources, pollutants, and exposures and its health effects are presented.
Diseases. Considering all factors, the goal of the present review is to draw together results
from different investigations and present a picture of our current understanding of
relationship between outdoor air pollution and health and to inform people about
the health effects of outdoor air pollution and to provide an approach to counseling
vulnerable people in order to reduce exposure.
© Copy Right, IJRSR, 2014, Academic Journals. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION air pollution changes, like daily variations in CO concentration

due to the change in traffic density or seasonal variations in air
The Air pollution may be any atmospheric condition in which pollution e.g., from heating systems which in moderate
certain substances are present in such concentrations that may climates operate mainly in cold months (Fugas et al., 1991).
produce harmful effects on man and its environment. Air Human susceptibility to adverse health effects from exposure
Pollution is a global health hazard with serious public health to air pollution can be related to genetic profile; race and
implications, particularly for children and elders. Air pollution ethnicity; lifestyle, behaviors; socioeconomic position; and
includes all contaminants found in atmosphere in the form of location of residence or daily activities (O’Neill et al., 2012).
gases or particulate and particles of biological origin. The
demographic and epidemiological character of populations in The urban air quality is very important and enhanced the life of
ways that are likely to affects in vulnerability to air pollution. living beings. The recent studies in various places of the world
The increased number of vehicles, machineries, factories and revealed an increase in levels of ozone (O3) and particulate
other oxides makes the environment more polluted. Severe matter (PM), which leads casualties more with respiratory and
outdoor air pollution problems exist in the developing world, cardiovascular diseases (Garrett and Casimiro, 2011). The
especially in large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Bombay, outdoor air pollution resulted from the chemical reaction of
Karachi, Cairo, Sao Paulo and Mexico City (Mage, 1996; various pollutants from various sources. This is like a huge
Akimoto, 2003). It is fact that developed countries make more amount of smog which leads to many health issues. The effect
air pollution than the developing countries. Developed of outdoor air pollution is more in the warmer seasons than the
countries are economically strong and life style is different colder seasons. The reasons behind the outdoor air pollution
than the developing and under developing countries so, the are not only manmade but also, natural reasons, like the
exploitation of resources is more. However, many outdoor air emission of methane after the digestion by cattle, emission
quality problems still exist in the developed world and may be from wildfire, radioactive decay, and the sulfur and chlorine
unpleasant by increasing use of motor vehicles and industrial deposit after the volcanic eruption, but these are very
chemicals. The air pollution always associated with human minimum and controllable. Acid rain, greenhouse effect, and
civilization, and it began when they invented fire. When the ozone depletion are major environmental issues related by the
industrialization came into the front line of the development, outdoor air pollution.
then the urban climate and air quality changed drastically The prime most reason behind air pollution is due to the
resulted in the changes in hydrological cycle, agriculture, combustion of fossil fuels, used for the generation of energy
irregular rainfall, increased drought and flood (Menon et al., and transportation. Most of the developing countries use more
2002). fossil fuel results in increased industrial emission by which the
Air pollution concentrations in urban areas vary both in time rate of air pollution in the countries also increased. The
and space (Munn, 1981). Time variations are strongly increasing number of population is another major reason for
influenced by changes in human activities. Several activities the pollution and cities are crowded.
occur repeatedly at regular intervals thus producing cycles in

* Corresponding author: C. Lavanya

University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, INDIA.
 International Journal of Recent Scientific ResearchVol. 5, Issue, 7, pp. 1248-1255, July, 2014

Table 1 Different air pollutants and its effects

Pollutant Sources Health effects References
Particulate Automobile, bus and truck exhaust, fuel Infant respiratory mortality. Particulate air pollution was one of the pollutants demonstrated
Matter burning (wood stoves, fireplaces), Lung function decreases. to have serious short-term health effects, even at low ambient
industry, construction. Lung growth decreases. levels when absorbed into human lungs (Muneeswaran et al.,
Symptoms in asthmatics. 2012).
Varying mixtures of particles suspended in the breathing air,
which vary in size and composition, and are produced by a wide
variety of natural and anthropogenic activities (Poschl, 2005).
Ozone Ozone Produced when nitrogen oxides Decreases lung growth. Asthma Ozone being a secondary pollutant is not emitted as such by any
(vehicle emissions) and volatile organic exacerbations. specific source, rather formed during the atmospheric photo-
compounds (VOC) chemically react All respiratory hospitalization. chemical reactions involving oxides of nitrogen and reactive
under sunlight. Asthma hospitalization. hydrocarbons emitted from automobiles (Krupa and Manning,
School absence for respiratory illness. 1988).
However, other secondary pollutants that are formed under
similar conditions and usually coexist with elevated ozone
concentrations include peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), nitric acid
(HNO3), formaldehyde, and numerous aldehydes, and organic
acids that can act as irritants (Amato et al., 2002).
Ozone can travel for thousands of kilometers. The atmospheric
half life of ozone is 1–2 weeks in summer and 1–2 months in
winter (Akimoto, 2003).
Gaseous Nitrogen dioxide Results from high Symptoms in asthmatics. NO2, a precursor of photochemical smog, is found in outdoor air
pollutants temperature fuel combustion and Nitrogen dioxide can irritate the lungs in urban and industrial regions and, in conjunction with sunlight
Nitrogen atmospheric reactions. and lower resistance to respiratory and hydrocarbons, results in the production of O3. NO2 is a
dioxide infections such as influenza. gaseous by-product of the combustion of fossil fuels. In many
urban areas mobile source emissions are the major source of
NO2. NO2 is more likely to reach the lower airways compared to
SO2 due to its lower water solubility. Furthermore, NO2 may
also react as an oxidant (Ackermann-Liebrich and Rapp, 1999).
Carbon Carbon monoxide Formed when carbon- Asthma hospitalization. Motor vehicles significantly contribute to ambient carbon
Monoxide containing fuel is not burned completely, Clinic visits for lower respiratory tract monoxide (CO) concentrations. Motor vehicles emit CO, but the
emitted by motor vehicles more than any disease, headache. majority of CO emitted from this source occurs from light-duty,
other source. Carbon monoxide enters the gasoline-powered vehicles. In addition to health concerns from
bloodstream and reduces oxygen CO exposures, CO may be a useful indicator of the transport and
delivery to the body's organs and dispersion of inert, primary combustion emissions from traffic
tissues. sources since CO does not react in the near-road environment
Exposure to elevated CO levels is (Baldauf, 2009). Carbon monoxide is produced in larger
associated with visual impairment, amounts if combustion is not efficient (i.e. a poorly tuned
reduced work capacity, and reduced engine), in colder weather or at higher altitudes (Brook et al.,
manual dexterity, poor learning ability, 2004). Carbon monoxide has an atmospheric half life of 1– 2
and difficulty in performing complex months and can also travel for thousands of kilometers away
tasks. from its source (Akimoto, 2003).
Sulphur Sulfur dioxide Industrial sites such as Asthma hospitalization. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an additional concern in industrial areas.
Dioxide smelters, paper mills, power plants and Clinic visits for lower respiratory tract SO2 is generated primarily from the burning of sulfur-containing
steel manufacturing plants are the main disease. fossil fuel and is released into the atmosphere primarily as a
sources. It irritates the nose, throat, and airways result of industrial combustion of high sulfur-containing coal
to cause coughing, wheezing, shortness and oil (Amato et al., 2002).
of breath, or a tight feeling around the
chest. The effects of sulfur dioxide are
felt very quickly and most people
would feel the worst symptoms in 10 or
15 minutes after breathing it in.
Persistent Pesticides, some as industrial chemicals Organochlorines such as DDT effects Persistent organic pollutants form a toxic group of chemicals.
organic and some arise as unintentional by- birds egg shell thickness They include pesticides, as well as dioxins, furans and PCBs.
pollutants products of chemical and/or combustion Effects on the reproductive potential of Generally, the generic term ‘‘dioxins’’ is used to cover
processes. fish eating birds. polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated
Short-term exposure of humans to high dibenzo-furans (PCDFs) while polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
levels of dioxins may result in skin are called ‘‘dioxin like compounds’’ and can act similarly in
lesions, such as chloracne and patchy terms of dioxin-type toxicity (Schecter et al., 2006).
darkening of the skin, and altered liver
function.
Heavy Natural sources include volcanoes, Epidemiologic studies have found Heavy metals include basic metal elements such as lead,
Metals degradation of minerals and forest fires, higher blood and body burdens of mercury, cadmium, arsenic and other toxic metals are released
evaporation from soil and water surfaces. metals including lead, mercury, arsenic into the environment by several processes including waste and
Releases from usage of heavy metals and cadmium in subjects living near coal burning, metal mining and smelting, other industrial
impurities, such as coal-fired power and waste incinerators (Hu and Shy, 2001). processes and volcanic emissions (Lee et al., 2002; Godish,
heat production, mining and other However, at higher (although relatively 2003).
metallurgic activities; Releases from low) concentrations they can become
intentional extraction and use of heavy toxic (Jarup, 2003).
metals, such as heavy metal mining,
leather production, electroplating
production, and manufacture of products
containing heavy metals; Releases from
waste incineration, landfills etc. (Wu et
al., 2006).

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The effect of air pollution is different depending on the function growth, and children who spent more time outdoors
geographical location, temperature and wind and weather had larger deficits in the growth rate of lung function
factors. The World Health Organization found that the air (Gauderman et al., 2002). Perhaps the most well-known health
quality in large cities of many developing countries is defect caused by air pollution is asthma, a disease that can be
remarkably poor and found that very large numbers of people chronic. Ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter like dust, ash
in those countries are exposed to ambient concentrations of air and nitrogen oxide has all been known to trigger asthma.
pollutants well above the World Health Organization About 30 percent of asthma cases in children are as a direct
guidelines for air quality (Ambient Air Pollution: Health result of environmental pollution (Mission, 2012) particularly
Hazards to Children, 2004, A guide to children health). outdoor air pollution.
Variants of air pollutant Health hazards to elder people
Air pollutants differing in their chemical composition, reaction Low to moderate levels of outdoor air pollutants can greatly
properties, emission, and persistence in the environment are increase respiratory problems in the elderly population. A
ability to be transported in long or short distances and their study in 1980–1995 of Tokyo residents aged over 65 years
eventual impacts on human and/or animal health. However, found that increasing airborne outdoor PM10 concentrations
they share some similarities and they can be grouped in were associated with significantly higher rates of asthma and
categories as shown in Table 1 and sources of air pollution as bronchitis (pb 0.001 in both cases) (Ye et al., 2001). Higher
shown in Table 2. levels of PM2.5 were associated with significantly higher
Table 2 Sources of air pollution.
Sources of Air pollution References
Janssen and coworkers recently demonstrated that health impact assessments of traffic-related
pollutants based upon PM 2.5 seriously underestimated the health risks compared to an assessment
Traffic
based upon elemental carbon (Janssen NA et al., 2011). There is also growing evidence of health
effects related to ultrafine particles (Rückerl R et al., 2011).
Bioaerosols are airborne particles (seeds, spores, dander etc.) produced by living organisms. Such
Bioaerosols: molds, bacteria, bioaerosols include pollen, seeds, bacteria, gram negative bacterial endotoxins, molds (fungi), algae,
pollen and others protozoans, flour, latex and animal dander/waste products. Some bioaerosols are hazardous since
they are infectious and/or produce allergens and toxins. Mold spores can travel thousands of miles
across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and land on other continents (Shinn et al., 2003).
Major sources include petroleum refining, petrochemicals, vehicle exhaust, natural gas fields and
Chemicals distribution lines, storage of fuels and wastes, household products, pesticides, combustion, many
industries and volatile emissions from coniferous forests (Breas O, 2003). The chemicals are very
harmful and hazardous to human health.

Routes of exposure
levels of hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary
Humans enter in contact with different air pollutants primarily disease in elderly subjects in Vancouver, Canada (Chen et al.,
through inhalation and ingestion, while dermal contact 2004). Higher outdoor levels of O3, PM10, SO2 and NO2 were
represents a minor route of exposure. Air pollution contributes, associated with significantly higher rates of hospital chronic
to a great extent, to the contamination of food and water, obstructive pulmonary disease admissions in Minneapolis,
which makes ingestion in several cases the major route of Minnesota, but were not related to significantly higher chronic
pollutant intake (Thron, 1996) via the gastrointestinal and obstructive pulmonary disease admissions in Birmingham,
respiratory tract, absorption of pollutants may occur, while a Alabama (Moolgavkar et al., 1997).
number of toxic substances can be found in the general
circulation and deposit to different tissues. Elimination occurs Hazards to plants
to a certain degree by excretion (Madden and Fowler, 2000). Plants also showed responses to air pollution as in case of SO2
Different composition of air pollutants, dose, time of exposure and NO2, visible injury usually results from exposure to
and exposed to pollutant mixtures than to single substances, pollutant concentrations above a point around an order of
can lead to various impacts on human health (Kampa et al., magnitude greater than the threshold for growth and yield
2007). reductions in absence of visible, i.e. Chronic injury (Rai et al.,
Health Hazards to Children 2011). Acute injury by these pollutants vary in their form of
various necrotic lesions, ranging from a fine stipple to large
Children are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of air patches of dead tissue, with colouration ranging from white to
pollution than adults because children spend more time brown black (Taylor et al., 1987).
outdoors than do adults; they have increased exposure to
outdoor air pollution (Wiley et al., 1991). Increased respiratory Hazards to animals
tract complications in children (eg, wheezing, chronic Acid rain formed in the air destroys fish life in lakes and
productive cough, and asthma hospitalizations) have been streams, which disturbs aquatic ecosystem and excessive
associated with residence near areas of high traffic density ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun through the ozone
(particularly truck traffic) (Ciccone et al., 1998). Other layer in the upper atmosphere which is eroded by some air
investigators have linked various childhood cancers to pollutants, may cause skin cancer in wildlife ozone in the
proximity to traffic (Raaschou-Nielsen et al., 2001). Children lower atmosphere may damage lung tissues of animals.
in communities with higher levels of urban air pollution (acid
vapor, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter with a median Hazards to materials
aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 m [PM 2.5], and elemental Air pollution has a variety of effects on materials--the
carbon (a component of diesel exhaust) had decreased lung corrosion of metals, the deterioration of materials and paints,
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 International Journal of Recent Scientific ResearchVol. 5, Issue, 7, pp. 1248-1255, July, 2014
and the fading of dyes. There have been a number of attempts adequate reason to institute regular or continuous monitoring
at estimating the resultant economic losses due to those and further investigations
detrimental effects of air pollution. The materials most
Air Quality Index
sensitive to pollutants are calcareous building stores and
ferrous metals. Manifestations of damage include losses of Air quality is a significant determinant of health. Ambient air
mass and changes in porosity, discoloration and embrittlement. quality is also known as air pollution index which measures
In the case of stone it is difficult to dissociate the effects of point to know the change in level of pollutants from standard
historical concentrations of pollution from current ones and to level and helps to know the effects on human health due to
establish background rates of erosion or decay in the absence increase in pollution (Senthilnathan, 2007). The air quality
of pollutants. index is a tool used by EPA (2000) and other agencies to
provide the public with timely and easy-to-understand
Air Quality Standards
information on local air quality. The higher value (above 125)
Two types of air quality standards are considered: primary of an index refers to a great level of air pollution (Shukla et al.,
standards set limits to protect public health, including the 2010).
health of “sensitive” populations such as asthmatics, children,
The air quality index (AQI) was calculated by the following
and the elderly. Secondary standards set limits to protect
formula
public welfare, including protection against decreased
visibility, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings AQI = 100 x Observed mean concentration of a pollutant
(Kelishadi et al., 2009). National Air Quality Standards are Standard for the respective pollutant.
shown in the Table 3.
Table 3 National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Concentration in Ambient Air Ecologically
Time Sensitive Area
Pollutants Industrial, Residential,
Weighted (Notified by Methods of Measurement
Average Rural and Central
other Areas Government)
Sulphur Dioxide Annual * 50 20 -Improved West and Gaeke Method
(SO2), μg/m3 24 Hours ** 80 80 -Ultraviolet Fluorescence
-Jacob & Hochheiser modified (NaOH-
Nitrogen Dioxide Annual * 40 30
NaAsO2) Method
(NO2), μg/m3 24 Hours ** 80 80
-Gas Phase Chemiluminescence
Particulate Matter -Gravimetric
Annual * 60 40
(Size less than 10μm) -TEOM
24 Hours ** 100 60
or PM10, μg/m3 -Beta attenuation
UV Photometric
Ozone (O3) 8 Hours * 100 100
-Chemiluminescence
μg/m3 1 Hour ** 180 180
-Chemical Method
AAS/ICP Method after sampling on
Lead (Pb) Annual * 0.50 0.50
EPM 2000 or equivalent filter paper -
μg/m3 24 Hours ** 1.0 1.0
ED-XRF using Teflon filter
Carbon Monoxide(CO), 8 Hours * 02 02 Non dispersive Infrared (NDIR)
mg/m3 1 Hour ** 04 04 Spectroscopy
Ammonia (NH3), Annual * 100 100 -Chemiluminescence
μg/m3 24 Hours ** 400 400 -Indophenol blue method
- Gas Chromatography (GC) based
Annual *
Benzene (C6H6), continuous analyzer –Adsorption and
24 Hours **
μg/m3 05 05 desorption followed
by GC analysis
Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP)
Annual * Solvent extraction followed by
Particulate phase 01 01
24 Hours ** HPLC/GC analysis
only,ng/m3
Arsenic (As), ng/m3 Annual * 06 -AAS/ICP Method after sampling on
06
24 Hours ** EPM 2000 or equivalent filter paper
Nickel (Ni), Annual * -AAS/ICP Method after sampling on
20 20
ng/m3 24 Hours ** EPM 2000 or equivalent filter paper
Source (NAAQS Monitoring & Analysis Guidelines Volume-I, CPCB, MAY, 2011).

* Annual Arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a Air quality measurement includes both types of pollutants
year at a particular site taken twice a week 24 hourly at monitored as well as the location of the measurements
uniform intervals. (Baldauf et al., 2009).
** 24 hourly or 8 hourly or 1 hourly monitored values, as Case Studies of the Outdoor air pollution
applicable, shall be complied with 98% of the time in a year.
In the European project Aphekom, Pascal. M et al., in 2013
2% of the time, they may exceed the limits but not on two
studied the effect of ozone and the Particulate matter in 25
consecutive days of monitoring.
cities of Europe. The aim is to find out the health hazards,
Note: Whenever and wherever monitoring results on two mortality and hospitalization due to the urban air pollution.
consecutive days of monitoring exceed the limits specified Among the 39 million residents in the 25 cities they noticed
above for the respective category, it shall be considered the cardiovascular mortality is more in the age group of 30 to
more than 60 ages at Budapest and Bucharest. There are 2997
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 International Journal of Recent Scientific ResearchVol. 5, Issue, 7, pp. 1248-1255, July, 2014
cardiac hospitalization reported which was high compared to Air Legislation in India
other cities. The respiratory problems are also increasing the
There are various air acts adopted in India which are as
number of cases in the city. Several health impact assessments
follows:-
were reported many health problems in Europe because of the
PM and Ozone. Even though still the PM and Ozone 1948 – The Factories Act and Amendment in 1987 was the
concentrations are above the standard of World Health first to express concern for the working environment of the
Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO-AQG). In Europe, workers. The amendment of 1987 has sharpened its
annual mean PM10 should not exceed 40 μg/m3 (limit value environmental focus and expanded its application to hazardous
set in 2005), and Member States are requested to reduce processes.
exposure to PM2.5 in urban areas below 20 μg/m3 by 2015
1981 - The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
(legally binding value).
Act provides for the control and abatement of air pollution. It
The largest developed country like China, the economic entrusts the power of enforcing this act to the CPCB.
standards leads to the more usage of fossil fuel which resulted
1982 - The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
in the air pollution. The monitoring of 621 cities shows there
Rules defines the procedures of the meetings of the Boards
are 107 cities failed to meet the country's national ambient air
and the powers entrusted to them.
quality standards (NAAQS) (Chinese Ministry of
Environmental Protection, 2010). The grey sky formation in 1982 - The Atomic Energy Act deals with the radioactive
the Chinese cities made many health issues in last year’s. The waste.
mortality among the Chinese population is lower in magnitude
1987 - The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
by air pollution Europe. The reduction of the fossil fuel usage
Amendment Act empowers the central and state pollution
recommended for the improvement of the air quality also for
control boards to meet with grave emergencies of air pollution.
reducing the climate change. The outdoor pollution affects the
infant population in china which is a big issue to be concern, 1988 - The Motor Vehicles Act states that all hazardous waste
the babies are suffering from cough; obesity and wheeze; is to be properly packaged, labelled, and transported
grandparents chronic bronchitis and persistent cough and (http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/laws.htm#air).
wheeze fewer also the house close to main road were the
Economic effects of air pollution
infants are suffering from and asthma; house close to
factory/chimney and persistent cough, wheeze and asthma; The economic costs of air pollution are difficult to estimate
classroom close to main road and persistent cough, persistent accurately (Levy, 2003). Exposure to various air pollutants and
phlegm and asthma (Guowei Pan et al., 2010). combinations of air pollutants create major economic costs by
increasing mortality, morbidity, and increased absenteeism and
As the increase in the population and unplanned roads in the
lost productivity. Human suffering from adverse health effects
Pakistan made quite a lot of problems to the environment by
related air pollution which is hard to measure in terms of
the over fuel combusting. An agriculture country like Pakistan
money. In addition, air pollution also creates a large amount of
the developmental activities lead to loss many landmasses
non-human health related economic costs including reduced
which used for agriculture and made in to industrial area. The
visibility, global warming, building and vehicle damage, and
polluted air due to the vehicular movement and the industrial
harm to many types of plants and animals (Curtis et al., 2006).
effluents to the air are the prime reasons behind the pollution.
The study in most polluted city in Pakistan, Quetta reveals the CONCLUSIONS
adverse effect of degrading air quality to the human race (Syed
Zafar Ilyas et al., 2009). The present review is based for the understanding of the status
of outdoor pollution across India and other countries in the
Outdoor air pollution has become the fifth largest killer in world. This will give the outline of all health hazards caused
India after high blood pressure, tobacco smoking, and poor by the outdoor pollution to the human race. A review from
nutrition – says a new set of findings of the Global Burden of different part of the world makes a primary knowledge data for
Disease report (The Centre for Science and Environment's the better conservation and wellbeing of life on the earth. This
(CSE)). In Mumbai city, Research studies attempts to identify paper discusses the outdoor air pollution and its health effects.
VOC’s in outdoor and indoor air (Anjali et al., 2004). Air Although the role played by outdoor pollutants in the health of
quality status of Visakhapatnam on indices basis is analyzed human being has yet to be clarified, a body of evidence
using a non-linear equation for variable parameters i.e. suggests that urbanization, with its high levels of vehicle
suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and emissions and a westernized lifestyle are linked to the rising
oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which are main criteria pollutants in frequency of Outdoor pollution related diseases seen in both
India. For current analysis seasonal air quality data is used, developed and developing countries. The protection of outdoor
which indicates SPM values in winter at most of the sites and air quality in the environment must be a first priority goal.
in summer at few sites are exceeding the prescribed standards. Hence, a successful strategy to address outdoor air pollution
Calculated indices reveal that, in winter as well as in summer, benefits in reducing the health hazard effect is industries and
most of the locations experienced poor or bad air quality, vehicles. Industries should be encouraged to switch over to
which is mainly due to higher concentration of Suspended cleaner fuels. Energy conservation options are also is
particulate matter and certain extent of Sulphur dioxide values encouraged. Moreover, important decisions need to be taken
(Reddy MK et al., 2004). In Jaipur, “Air Quality Index” is urgently by governments worldwide concerning motor vehicle
higher for PM10 followed by CO (Renu et al., 2004). induced air pollution to reduce the future costs of effects on
health and on the environments. Further research on the health

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 International Journal of Recent Scientific ResearchVol. 5, Issue, 7, pp. 1248-1255, July, 2014
effects of air pollution, medication and nutritional treatments is major streets and background locations: particulate
also needed to reduce the adverse effects of pollutants. matter mass, black carbon, elemental composition,
nitrogen oxide and ultrafine particle number. Atmos
Recommendations
Environ 45, 650–658.
However the research has been done on outdoor air pollution 7. Breas O, Guillou C, Reniero F, Wada E., 2001. The
but the problem is still unsolved so, there are various global methane cycle: isotopes and mixing ratios,
recommendations that we have to adopt are as follows sources and sinks. Isot Environ Health Stud 37, 257–37.
8. Brook RD, Franklin B, Cascio W, Hong Y, Howard G,
 More efficient use of energy.
Lipsett M et al., 2004. Air pollution and cardiovascular
 The use of less-polluting fossil fuels. disease: a statement for healthcare professionals from
 Increased use of non-fossil energy sources. the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science
 The use of newer and environmentally more combustion of the American Heart Association Circulation. 109,
technologies. 2655-71.
 Strict control of air pollutant emissions. 9. Brunekreef B., 2010. Air Pollution and Human Health:
 Should actively encourage internationally co-ordinate From Local to Global Issues. Procedia Social and
research and development aimed at a better Behavioral Sciences 41, 6661–6669.
understanding of atmospheric processes and effects of air 10. Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE).
pollution on man and the environment, and at improving 11. Chen Y, Yang Q, Krewski D, Shi Y, Burnett RT, Mc
technologies for fossil fuel combustion and control of Frail K., 2004. Influence of relatively low level
pollutant emission. particulate air pollution and hospitalization for COPD
 Should co-operate to improve the availability and quality in elderly people. Inhal Toxicol 16, 21–5.
of data on air pollutant emissions from different 12. Ciccone G, Forastiere F, Agabiti N., 1998. Road traffic
categories of polluters. and adverse respiratory effects in children. SIDRIA
 Should refer to the guiding principles set out below, Collaborative Group. Occup Environ Med 55, 771–778.
which form an integral part of the recommendation, in 13. Dickey y JH., 2000. Air pollution: overview of sources
furthering their air pollution control policies. and health effects. Dis.-Mon. 46, 566–89.
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Acknowledgements
effects of particulate air pollution. Annu Rev Public
I am very thankful to the authors Professor, Rajesh dhankar, Health 15, 107–132.
Assistant professor, Sunil chikkara and Research scholar, 15. Edwards J, Walters S, Griffiths RK.., 2011. Hospital
Rajbala soni of Department of Environmental science and admissions for asthma in preschool children:
University Institute of Engineering &Technology, Maharishi relationship to major roads in Birmingham, United
Dayanand University, Rohtak Haryana, India respectively for Kingdom. Arch Environ Health, 49:223–227.
providing the necessary facilities for the preparation of the 16. Evangelia Diapouli, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis,
paper. Angeliki A. Karanasiou, Sterios Vratolis, Ove
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