EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Air pollution is a heterogeneous, complex blend of gases, fluids, and particulate matter. Air pollution can originate from traffic, processing plants, power generation, out of control fires or notwithstanding cooking with a wood stove. Air pollution is progressively perceived as an imperative and modifiable determinant of cardiovascular disease in urban areas. Intense introduction has been connected to a scope of unfavourable cardiovascular events incorporating clinical confirmations with angina, myocardial infarction and ischaemia, heart failures, arrhythmias, stroke and increased cardiovascular mortality(Brook, R 2008). Long-time exposure increases an individual lifetime risk of death from coronary heart diseases and the main arbiter of these adverse health effects seems to be combustion-derived nanoparticles that incorporate reactive organic and transition metal components(Mills NL et al, 2009), inhalation of this particulate matter leads to pulmonary inflammation with secondary systemic effect. Acute short-time effects of air pollution tend to strike people who are elderly or already struggling with heart disease, for instance, someone with atherosclerosis, or build up fatty deposits on the inner lining of the arteries, encounters quick inconveniences when pollutants assume a part in causing plaque in a blood vessels to rupture, triggering a heart attack (Heart.org 2015).
Mills NL et al (2009) also suggested that through the induction of cellular oxidative stress and pro inflammatory pathways, particulate matter augments the development and progression of atherosclerosis via detrimental effects on platelets, vascular tissue, acute and chronic exposure to air pollution. Below is the mechanisms through which combustion-derived  nano particulate matter causes acute and chronic cardiovascular disease suggested by Mills NL et al (2009)

Cardiovascular disease is a huge global problem, causing immense suffering and premature death, as well as placing severe strain on national healthcare budgets and family finances. Air pollution cause more than 3 million deaths worldwide each year and causes 3.1 percent of all cases of disability(Neumann, J 2014) .An expanded comprehension of the mediators and mechanisms of these process is essential in the event that we are to create strategies to ensure people at risk and reduce the impact of air pollution on cardiovascular disease.

 Reference

Brook, R., 2008. Cardiovascular effects of air pollution. Clinical Science,115, pp.175-187

Heart.org, (2016). Air Pollution and Heart Disease, Stroke. [online] Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/Air-Pollution-and-Heart-Disease-Stroke_UCM_442923_Article.jsp#.Voz8mvmT-Uk [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016].

Mills, N.L., Donaldson, K., Hadoke, P.W., Boon, N.A., MacNee, W., Cassee, F.R., Sandström, T., Blomberg, A. and Newby, D.E., 2009. Adverse cardiovascular effects of air pollution. Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 6(1), pp.36-44.

Neumann, J. (2014). Air Pollution A Big Factor In Heart Disease, Experts Warn. [online] The Huffington Post. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/18/air-pollution-heart-disease_n_6348586.html [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016]

NEGATIVE EFFECT OF GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA

fig.1                                          source: Integritynigeria.org

Gas flaring is the burning of natural gas that is connected with crude oil when it pumped out of the ground. Gas flaring is the solitary and most common source of global warming and contributes to emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and methane which have the propensity of causing environmental pollution and ecological disturbances or destruction (Ubani, E, and Onyejekwe I 2013). Nigeria, the 11th biggest oil producer on the planet, is invested with a greater number of gas stores than oil. By and by, Nigeria has the shame of being the world's most noteworthy in flaring of the gas related with petroleum creation and aside from being wastage of significant assets, this practice runs in opposition to Nigeria's commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under,inter alias, the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 1997Kyoto Protocol .( Malumfashi, G, 2007). Figure 2 and 3  below shows Nigeria flared natural gases from year 2001-2011 and Nigeria compared to other flaring countries respectively.                         

                                fig. 2.                                       source: Lokoja.wordpress.com

 Gas flaring have been censured severally in diverse nations of the world, in spite of the fact that the practice is still reachable in a few nations with numerous people requiring a stop. According to Ajugwo, A,(2013) Gas flaring have impoverished the communities where it is practiced, with attendant environmental, economic and health challenges. Hesitance with respect to government and strategy producers is additionally a component, this challenges confronted by neighborhood groups from gas flares are a sufficient justification for ending  gas flaring practice,( Ajugwo, A 2013).

                                 fig. 3

Drilling mud and oil now and again discover their way into the streams, surface waters and arrive consequently making them unfit for utilization nor liveable by man or creature. The monetary and ecological consequences of this abnormal state of gas flaring are serious because of the fact that this procedure is a noteworthy misuse of potential fuel which is at the same time contaminating water, air, and soil in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.

In places where burning off gas occurs in a relatively concentrated area, such as Niger Delta, the average life expectancy is 43 years, and the infant mortality rate in the delta is the highest in Nigeria -12% of babies die during their first year ( Ben, S 2010). The implication of gas flaring on human health are all related to the exposure of those hazardous air pollutant emitted during incomplete combustion of gas flare. These pollutants are associated with variety of adverse health impacts, including cancer, neurological, reproductive and developmental effects (Ajugwo, A, 2013). Deformities in children, lungs damage and skin problem have also been reported.

Corrosive downpours(Acid rain) have been connected to the exercise of gas flaring. Layered rooftops in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria have been corroded by the composition of rain that falls as a result of flaring. Acid rain ferments lakes and streams and harms vegetation, it also accelerate the decay of building materials and paints and contributes to visibility degradation (Ajugwo A. 2013).
Whatever the purposes behind flaring the gas, the truth remains that it is wastage of important assets greatly required for monetary improvement; that the flaring/venting amid oil creation operations discharge greenhouse gases add to worldwide temperature alternation bringing about environmental change, and this invalidates Nigeria's duties under the UNFCC and Kyoto Protocol; and that it influences the natural quality and soundness of the Niger Delta group, the region of the flares. Henceforth, gas flaring must be wiped out, sooner than later.




Reference
Ajugwo, A.O., 2013. Negative Effects of Gas Flaring: The Nigerian Experience. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health,1(1),p6-8.
Ben, S.. (2010). Up In The Smoke. Process Focus. 23 (2), p31-32.
Malumfashi, G.I., 2007. Phase-out of gas flaring in Nigeria by 2008. The Prospects of a multi-win project, Petroleum training journal,1(1), p1-5
Ubani, E.C. and Onyejekwe, I.M., 2013. Environmental impact analysis of gas flaring in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. American J. of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4(2), pp.246-252.