In: Biology
Describe how the human respiratory system works and the effects of various air pollutants on the human respiratory system.
The primary respiratory organ is the lungs. Air is inhaled through the nose. It then travels to In the throat, the trachea, or windpipe, filters the air. The trachea branches into two bronchi, tubes that lead to the lungs. Once in the lungs, oxygen is moved into the bloodstream. Blood carries oxygen through the body to where it is needed.
Air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter affect different parts of the respiratory tract via a variety of mechanisms resulting in respiratory symptoms. Pollutants such as ozone irritate people's breathing, trigger asthma symptoms and cause lung and heart diseases. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke causes many severe respiratory health problems such as asthma and lung cancer.