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 Aim
 Listthe substances which are harmful to
the respiratory system
A. Many substance can damage the human
respiratory system.
 R. Sulphur dioxide
a) Sulphur dioxide is released when fossil fuels
such as diesel and coal are burnt in factories.
b) Sulphur dioxide is a poisonous acidic gas.
c) It dissolves in rain to form acid rain.
d) It corrodes the respiratory system because of
its acidic nature and can cause disease such as
asthma and bronchitis.
 !. Carbon monoxide
a) Carbon monoxide is a very poisonous gas.
b) It is produced when fuels such as petrol and
diesel in motor vehicles are incompletely burnt.
c) When breathed into the body, the
haemoglobin in the red blood cells readily
combine with it to form carboxyhaemoglobin.
d) The body cannot get oxygen and the person
dies of carbon monoxide poisoning.
 `. Carbon dioxide
a) This gas is produces by motor vehicles,
factories using fossil fuels and the
burning of wastes such as paddy stalks.
b) This gas can form a layer in the
atmosphere around the earth and causes
global warming.
c) Breathing in an excess amount of this
gas causes severe headaches.
 r. Dust
a) When breathed into the body, dust
irritates the respiratory system.
b) Excessive dust breathed in can also block
the tiny air tubes (bronchioles) in the
lungs and cause lung diseases.
c) Dust can harbour bacteria such as
tuberculosis bacteria.
d) One can get tuberculosis of the lungs by
breathing in infected dust.
 . Smog
a) Smoke from motor vehicles and factories
together with dust and mist from smog.
b) Smog not only reduces visibility, but
causes respiratory diseases such as
asthma and bronchitis, especially among
elderly people.
B. Illnesses affecting the
respiratory system
The way to improve air quality