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Older
people are more vulnerable to ill effects of air pollution than the younger
ones. Older people with lung or heart disorders are under an even greater risk.
It becomes very difficult to know exactly which pollutants are responsible for
causing the sickness as people are exposed to numerous harmful pollutants.
Carbon
monoxide is one air pollutant that has harmful effects on the human body. High
proportions of this gas cab prove to be fatal. The worse thing is that carbon
monoxide cannot be found out by humans as it cannot be seen, smelled or tasted.
Sulfur
dioxide is another gas that has many harmful effects on the human body. This
gas has a foul, sharp smell. It easily reacts with other substances and forms destructive
compounds such as sulfurous acid, sulfuric acid and sulfate particles.
Another
pollutant is the nasty smelling nitrogen dioxide gas. Some nitrogen dioxide is
produced by water, soil and plants while some is formed naturally in the atmosphere
through lightning.
Some
common health problems caused by long term exposure to air pollution include
lung cancer, bronchitis and heart disease.