Air Pollution

     A.   Particulate Matter
          1.   solid particles - what we see
               a.   dust, smoke
          2.   bronchial constriction
          3.   increased airway resistance
               a.   both due to mucous production
     B.   Carbon Monoxide  second greatest problem
          1.   combustion of fuels containing carbon
          2.   influences the ability of hemoglobin to transport
               O2 in the blood
               a.   affinity for CO is 200-250 times greater than
                    the affinity for O2
               b.   each heme can either carry one CO or one O2
                    (1)  four hemes per globin
          3.   If CO levels = 35 ppm
               a.   this will produce a carboxyhemoglobin (COHb)
                    of 1.5 %
                    (1)  in non-smokers
                         (a)  normal environment, the COHb = 1.0 %
                         (b)  urban = < 5 %
                    (2)  in smokers, urban , COHb = > 10 %
          4.   CO in body influenced by 
               a.   concentration
               b.   duration
               c.   MVV
                    (1)  if breath 50 ppm 
                         (a)  with no exercise it will take 5
                              hours to get to 5%
                         (b)  with exercise, it will take 1 hour
          5.   Problems with increased concentrations
               a.   headaches
               b.   slower response
               c.   nausea
               d.   decreased judgement and discrimination
               e.   decreased vision, esp. periferally
          6.   Concentrations
               a.   highest around heavy roads
                    (1)  esp. if slow moving
                    (2)  two peak periods corresponding to rush
                         hours
               b.   remains in the blood up to 4 hours
     C.   Hydrocarbons
          1.   Hydrogen + Carbon
     D.   Sulfer Oxides
          1.   burning of fossil fuels
          2.   irritants
          3.   minor bronchial problems and constrictions
          4.   gets removed through nasal passages, but only if
               breathing through there
     E.   Nitrogen Oxides
          1.   Major source of pollution 
               a.   comes from auto exhaust
          2.   increase the airway resistance
               a.   more significant as O3
     F.   Ozone   greatest problem
          1.   formed by the rays of the sun on Hydrocarbons and
               nitrogen oxides
          2.   Called Photochemical Smog
          3.   Potent airway irritant
               a.   increase the secretion of mucous
               b.   increase the soreness
          4.   Health alerts
               a.   .20 ppm = First Stage
                    (1)  even with activity, most wont notice when
                         it is < .20
                    (2)  when it increases over .20, it affects
                         performance of some
                    (3)  at .30, it will affect most people
               b.   .35 ppm = Second Stage
                    (1)  will affect all
               c.   .50 ppm = Third Stage
               d.   1.0 ppm
                    (1)  can cause death
                         (a)  pulmonery edema
          5.   Magnitude of effects influenced by
               a.   concentration
               b.   intensity of exercise (MVV)
               c.   duration of exposure
          6.   Actual effects
               a.   decreased VC
                    (1)  minor
               b.   decreased ability to expire air rapidly
                    " Peak Flow Rate "
                    (1)  because of mucous
               c.   decrease in VO2 max
          7.   Adaptations
               a.   minor if existant
               b.   occurs within 4 days
               c.   dissapates rapidly also
          8.   Peak levels
               a.   Los Angeles  =  1:30 - 3:00
               b.   Pomona Valley = 2:30 - 4:00

     G.   People react differently to smog
          1.   there is more than one pollutant in the air, and so
               need to account for the different types when
               figuring how someone will react
          2.   Temperature 
               a.   Sun converts pollutant to O3
               b.   High temperatures hold smog close to the
                    ground
          3.   Altitude
               a.   ventilate more air and therefore increase the
                    amounts of pollutants that go into the lungs
     H.   Symptoms
          1.   Eye, nose and throat
          2.   Soreness in the sub-sternal area
          3.   Lots of coughing
               a.   irritated air passages
               b.   more mucous secreted
                    (1)  excessive amounts produced
                    (2)  cough to get rid of it