The problem with air pollution is that it is often invisible to the naked eye, meaning that you’re inhaling it without realizing it’s there. Once the harmful toxins in the air enter your body, they can wreak havoc at will. While some of them may not do much harm, others could be deadly.
You’ve been taught that air is necessary for life. However, clean air is a prerequisite for your health and well-being. Here are some of the ways clean air can contribute to you feeling well and improve your longevity:
The brain
Without your brain, you wouldn’t be the person you are with the capabilities you have. Therefore, the brain is an organ that needs protection. The hard skull around it can keep the brain safe from external harm, but it does nothing for the harmful particles you inhale in the air that make their way into the complex network of neurons that make up the brain.
Breathing in polluted air can have a significant impact on cognitive functioning, such as problem-solving and decision-making. Damage to the neurons in the brain prevents it from functioning as it should, resulting in various cognitive impairments.
Studies among children demonstrate decreased academic performance relates directly to high levels of air pollution. Other research is establishing a causal link between air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease among the elderly.
The lungs
As the body’s first line of defense against pollutants in the air, the lungs are most often worse affected by poor air quality. The harmful particles you inhale place significant stress on the lungs, thereby reducing their efficiency.
The most common body response to air pollution is a lung disorder, such as asthma and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and persistent bronchitis.
AC repair Houston specialists at AC Repair maintain that air conditioning in the home and at work is the best way to ensure that air is filtered of harmful particles before you inhale it. However, this is only possible when you have a reputable company install, service, maintain, and repair your AC system.
The heart
The quality of the air you breathe has a direct effect on your heart. Since life cannot be sustained without the heart, it is essential that you look after yours. Harmful pollutants inhaled by the lungs enter the blood and must be pumped through the heart for circulatory processes.
When this happens, the body responds with measures to eliminate the threat. These are called macrophages. While they might get rid of the dangerous particles, they can also lead to plaque buildup in the arteries and veins.
The muscles in the heart have to work harder to keep pumping blood around the body. As the arteries narrow due to the buildup of plaque, you could develop high blood pressure. When the blockage becomes so severe, it can cause a heart attack.
The skin
As the body’s largest organ, the skin also plays a critical role in keeping harmful pollutants out of your body. While they might prevent the substances from getting to the rest of the body, they often damage the skin.
The result is an early loss of elasticity, which causes the skin to dehydrate and wrinkle. The skin can also become thinner, reducing its ability to fend off the potential harm from dangerous external threats.
With cleaner air, the skin spends less time fighting off pollutants and can instead use its regenerative powers to heal itself. Retained elasticity will leave you looking younger and give your skin the strength required to protect you from harmful substances.
