If we look for a donkey with horns, we may succeed to find but sorry to say in this so-called civilized and modern age we can’t get some fresh air to take deep breaths. Pollution is one of those gifts this modern rapid, fast progress in industrialization offers to humankind.

It wasn’t convincingly realized before but now some researches suggest that even low levels of pollution can also be dangerous for the heart and lungs. The analyses of the researchers were published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. The researchers focused on how small particles that were found in the air affected the function of lungs. In this new research, some studies that were published in the same journal earlier this year were also defended by the researchers. In those previous studies it was shown, how air pollution contributed to heart problems. Is it a grave issue or need not to be worry? U.S. news asked some key questions from renowned experts in this connection.

How can you define particulate pollution?

A report from American Lung Association defines particulate pollution as a mixture of solid and liquid elements in the air that comes from natural sources as wildfires and dust storms, human activities as to burn fossil fuels in the factories or to use diesel engines. Some other particles also take place when some chemicals or materials act in response with another chemical or material in the atmosphere.

Pollution

How can they be dangerous to the heart and lungs?

According to some studies these particles cause short-term bad effects like coughing, panting, lower function of the lungs and heart attacks. Similarly, there are also other serious bad effects that occur due to long-term exposure. Cardiovascular disease, slower than normal lungs growth, lung cancer and injuries of lung airways are some these serious effects that occur due to longer exposure.

Is it really a serious risk

People of certain age groups as very old and very young are in danger because of air pollution but studies that have been conducted even in the most polluted areas suggest that the individual risk from exposure is very low.

Can I protect myself?

According to some experts it is not an easy task to protect oneself from the effects of air pollution. Most of the masks that are used for this purpose can’t prove helpful; many particles are as small as they can easily slip from these masks. However, the easiest way to avoid air pollution is to prefer such areas as are least populated and away from highways for out door exercise and for residence as well.

How can I know the quality of the air in which I breathe?

A Web tool has been developed by the American Lung Association and this tool allows a user to type ZIP code of its area and get the details about the quality of the air of his/her area.

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