Meteorological environments

Dr Paul T Francis, MD Community Medicine College of Medicine, Zawia

Contents

Air pollution Temperature

Air

Man lives in air Man breathes air, smells through air, hears through air, air cools his/her body, we can speak through air Diseases spread through air Aeroplanes fly through air Sailing Ship/boat move because of air

Composition of air

Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21% Carbon dioxide 0.03% Argon, xenon, helium, water vapour, dust etc.

Air pollution

Excessive concentration of foreign matter in the atmosphere which is harmful to man and other living organisms Sources of air pollution

Automobiles Industries Domestic sources

Sources of Air pollution

A factory polluting the atmosphere

Health effects of air pollution

Immediate

Discomfort, cough, breathlessness, bronchitis, irritation of eye etc. Chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, asthma

Long term effects

Prevention

Containment Preventing pollutants entering the atmosphere Replacement Using technology which does not cause pollution Dilution Planting more trees around sources of air pollution Legislation Making rules to prevent air pollution
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Thermal comfort

Effective temperature is an index which combines temperature, humidity and movement of air Comfortable and cool 20-25oC Hot and uncomfortable 27-28oC

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Summary

It is important to have clean air to prevent diseases and remain healthy Sources of air pollution are industries, automobiles and homes Air pollution can be prevented by using better techniques to reduce polluting products, planting more trees

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