Harmful substances in air pollution like cigarette smoke, gases from factories, and vehicle exhaust fumes can damage the respiratory system and cause respiratory diseases. Nicotine, tar, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter are especially harmful as nicotine is addictive, tar and sulfur dioxide can irritate the lungs, carbon monoxide prevents oxygen intake, and particulate matter increases risks of asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. Long-term exposure increases risks of lung cancer, heart disease, and emphysema which damages lung air sacs. Improving indoor and outdoor air quality through measures like avoiding smoking, pollution sources, and following emissions regulations can help protect respiratory health.

1. The importance of a Healthy Respiratory System
Substances harmful to the respiratory system
•The quality of the air can have significant effects on
our respiratory system.
•As air moves into our lungs, harmful substances in the
air may enter too. These harmful substances can cause
disease or even death.
•Air pollutants include smoke of cigarettes, gases from
the industries, exhaust of engines and haze.

2. Harmful substances in air pollutants
Air pollutant Harmful substances
Cigarette Smoke Nicotine, Tar
Gases from Factories Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen
Dioxide
Exhaust Fumes Carbon Monoxide
Haze Smoke, Dust

3. Cigarette Smoke Gases from Factories
Exhaust Fumes Haze

4. The effects of harmful substances on the
respiratory system
•Nicotine
a. Nicotine is a drug that causes addiction to
cigarette smoking.
b. Nicotine causes rapid heartbeat, increased blood
pressure and rapid breathing.
c. The disease related

5. •Tar
a. Tar contains carcinogens (substances that
cause cancer).
b. Tar also irritates the respiratory tract, causing
smoker’s cough.
•Sulphur dioxide
a. Exposure to sulphur dioxide can cause the
irritation of the respiratory system.
b. It can cause temporary or permanent
damage to the lungs

6. •Carbon monoxide
a. Carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin in the
blood faster than oxygen can, hence it is poisonous gas
which causes suffocation.
• Low concentration of carbon monoxide can cause
dizziness, headache and fatigue whereas high
concentrations can fatal.
•Particular matter (fine particles in the air)
a. Continuous exposure to particulate matter causes
coughing, nasal congestion, watery nose, constant
sneezing and chest pain.
b. Those who are very likely to be affected by haze are
children, the elderly and people with illnesses like
asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

7. Diseases of the Respiratory System
Asthma Heart disease

8. Asthma
•This disease is caused by the narrowing of the fine
airways (bronchi and bronchioles) due to the contraction of
muscles in their walls. This is perhaps because of
sensitivity to air pollutants including smoke.
•A patient will find it different to breathe, wheezing and
feeling tightness in the chest.
Heart disease
•Nicotine raises the blood pressure and increase the level
of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.
•This makes a smoker more likely to suffer from a stroke
or a heart attack.

9. Bronchitis

10. Bronchitis
•Chronic bronchitis can be defined as a condition
characterized by recurrent or chronic cough every day
over a period of several months.
•This disease is caused by the inflammation of the lining
of the bronchioles. This may be due to infection by
bacteria or viruses, or chemicals such as those found in
tobacco smoke.
•Smokers cough is an early sign of chronic bronchitis.
•In severe cases, the patient may turn blue which is
specially noticeable at the lips and fingers due to poor
oxygenation of blood.

11. Lung cancer

12. Lung cancer
•This disease is caused by a change in the cells inside the
lungs such that they divide out of control and produce
lumps of cells (tumours)
Which interfere with the normal functions of the lungs.
•90% of lung cancer patients have been heavy smokers.
•The risk of developing this disease is directly related to
the amount of tar that gets into the lungs.
•Lung cancer may not have any symptoms. When it is
detected, the cancer cells may have spread from the
lungs to other organs.

13. Emphysema

14. •Emphysema is a condition in which the structure of
the alveoli is broken down by coughing. This
reduces the surface area for gas exchange.
Emphysema

15. Ways to improve air quality
Improving indoor air quality
•Avoid smoking indoors
•Make sure there is a steady supply of fresh air.
•Minimize air conditioning use
•Keep carpets and floor dust free
•Maintain a low humidity to prevent mould growth.

16. Improving outdoor air quality
•Avoid open burning of leaves and trash
•Do not allow cars or other motor vehicles idle for more
than a minute.
•Walk, ride a bicycle, car pool or use public
transportation.
•Keep the motor vehicle well maintained and use a fuel –
efficient vehicle.
•Reduce, reuse and recycle waste materials.
•Implement laws and regulations to control air pollution.