THE QUALITY OF AIR IN REGGIO EMILIA
The air we breathe is made up of
Nitrogen N 2 |
78.9% |
Oxygen O 2 |
20,9% |
Carbon dioxide CO 2 |
0,035% |
Noble gases |
remaining parts |
Air is indispensable to life of all living organisms: it is the source of the oxygen necessary to processes of energy production which constitute the basic for life and cell activity.
Exchanges between atmospheric air and living organisms take place through the respiratory system and its organs.
An average adult usually breathes the following quantities of air:
during relax |
6 to 9 litres a minute (about 9- 13 m 3 a day) |
during moderate physical exercise |
60 litres a minute |
during intense physical exercise |
130- 150 litres a minute |
This amount of air is filtered through a breathing surface of about 130-150 sqm in total.
Air pollution occurs when the presence of one or more undesirable substances makes air unhealthy and dangerous for human health.
By considering the amount of air which we breathe everyday, we can realize how important it is for our health and the risks connected with polluted air.
Polluted air causes diseases
Nowadays air pollution represents a danger for human health, even though the effects of some of these substances are still unknown.
Air pollution does not affect only the respiratory system, but a lot of sicknesses are caused by substances in air, such as bacteria, viruses, allergens like pollens or substances from tobacco smoke, as well as air pollutants.
For example hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide get into the lungs and reach the brain through blood vessels. Tiny particles of metals get into the blood and may deposit in our bones, teethe and kidneys. Even a very small quantity of lead affects brain activity in children. Particulate matter also affects the cardio-circulatory system.
The respiratory tract has a defence system against these substances: it is covered by mucous membrane made up of cells which move like a wave. They transport the thin layer of mucus, together with the noxious substances which stick on it, to the oral cavity, where they are swallowed and eliminated.
Moreover, among the cells of the mucous membrane there are terminals of nervous fibres: they can be affected by the noxious substances and determine cough to expel them.
In the alveolus of lungs the cleaning function is performed by specific cells which eat up the bacteria and dispose them.
However penetration of noxious substances, both by short and intense exposition and by long exposition of our body, can damage this effective defence system.
The main air pollutants are:
The quality of the air in Reggio Emilia and province is controlled daily, by monitoring the main pollutants at the several air pollution testing stations, located in key areas.
ARPA agency collects and publicize the data.
All the data used in these pages are taken from ARPA Reggio Emilia.
Click to see the chart showing the pollutants levels in January 2006 in our town.
|