Environmental Issues

Air pollution in urban areas is a serious environmental problem because it has adverse health problems. It is more prevalent in urban areas due to the fact that more industries as well as other pollutants are positioned in urban sectors. There also very few air purifiers in urban settings and the high population worsens the situation. Studies by Koenig, (2002) reveal that in major cities, the greatest damage of the human health is caused by the inhalation of air pollutants like carbon monoxide, lead, sulphur oxides among others. These pollutants are responsible for the respiratory problems and diseases like asthma, visual impairment, and decreased pulmonary function among other problems. This paper shall therefore describe the health related problems caused by air pollution, the most vulnerable members of the community, and the preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the effects of the problem.

Background information,
There are many types of air pollutants. The levels of these pollutants are high in the urban areas. Lead is the most common in these areas and is very dangerous because even exposure to small amounts has adverse effects especially to children. Lead is known to be a major cause of learning disabilities as well as being linked to renal failure. Carbon monoxide is also a major air pollutant mainly from gasoline fueled cars (Koenig, 2002). Further studies reveal that oxides of sulphur and nitrogen are also key air pollutants and they also form secondary particulate matter which is equally dangerous. Ozone from the gasoline fueled vehicles also affects the pulmonary functioning of the individuals.

Health problems associated with outdoor and in door air pollution in urban areas.
Most of the health problems are associated with the out door pollutants. Asthmatic patients are mostly affected by the air pollutants as they trigger asthmatic attacks. Persons with heart diseases are also affected by these air pollutants and are even more risky than healthy people. Generally the air pollutants have been linked with increased rates of respiratory infections like bronchitis and chronic cough, both in adults and also in young children.  Lead has been liked with high blood pressure as well as increased rates of miscarriage because it affects the reproductive system (Koenig, 2002).

Carbon monoxide from gasoline fuelled emissions has been linked with visual impairment as well as the main cause of chest pains to people with heart diseases as it reduces the bloods capacity to carry oxygen throughout the body. Nitrogen and Sulphur Oxides affect the lung functioning causing respiratory problem more so to people with asthma. Most of the health problems linked with in door and out door air pollution are therefore respiratory problems, lung problems as well as pulmonary problems. In door air pollution is mostly caused by smoke from charcoal and other forms of fuel that release poisonous gases during combustion.

Vulnerable groups,
Among the vulnerable groups of people, children together with the people suffering from chronic diseases are the most affected. Childrens immunity is very and that is the reason why they are more susceptible. Studies done by (Koenig, 2002) reveal that lead absorption depends with the age, nutrition status and physiological status of a person. Children and more so those suffering from malnutrition, are more susceptible as lead is absorbed more in cases where there is low dietary calcium intake as well as low iron. The fact that children suffer from malnutrition more than adults, increases their chances of being affected by these pollutants.
Role of a Health Educator Consultant,
Needs assessment,
My role as a health educator in this project will be to identify the health problems caused by the air pollutants. It is important to identify the air pollutants that cause these health problems. I will also identify the most vulnerable groups and the reasons that contribute to their vulnerability. The next next will be to establish the interventions that can be taken to mitigate the problem.

Interventions,
The first intervention will be to educate the community on the dangers of the air pollutants and how these pollutants affect their health. The community needs also to be taught on how to avoid coming in to contact with the pollutants. For indoors interventions, they should be taught on the importance of minimizing the chances of coming in to contact with the pollutants. This can be achieved by minimizing use of fuel like wood and coal, in poorly ventilated places and use of less polluting fuels. They should also avoid residing in areas that are more prone to these pollutants like near industries as well as near the main roads.

Children, the sick and the malnourished being more vulnerable should be protected by placing measures that will improve their nutrition statuses. As revealed by studies that lead absorption in the body increases with decreased intake of calcium and iron, it is paramount to ensure that all members of the public are well nourished. This may involve enlisting the services of a nutritionist or nutrition programs in health centers.

Conclusion,
Since air pollutants are dangerous to mankind, preventive measures aught to be taken to reduce the rate at which human beings come in to contact with them. It is important to involve all people concerned in all the interventive measures. Since children and the sick are the most vulnerable then strict measures aught to be taken to protect them. Lastly all members of the community should have enough knowledge on the same so as to make sure that they can take care of themselves.