Ozone or O3

Ozone, depending on where it is, will be a beneficial or harmful gas for living beings.

The ozone located in the stratosphere is beneficial since it forms the so-called "ozone layer" which is responsible for absorbing ultraviolet radiation and preventing it from reaching the earth.

On the other hand, if it appears near the ground as a result of chemical reactions or gas emissions from cars, power plants..., it is very harmful to health. It is one of the components of toxic fog.

At the respiratory level, ozone can cause irritation of the nose and throat; wheezing, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath; breathing difficulties in outdoor activities; a reduction in lung capacity; aggravation of asthmatic symptoms; the need to increase the use of bronchodilators as a treatment for respiratory diseases; increased vulnerability to diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia; increased risk of death from pneumonia and heart disease and increased hospital admissions for lung disease.

If there are high levels of ozone, people with asthma, the elderly and children should avoid exercising outdoors. People with symptoms of respiratory problems or aggravation of their clinical symptoms should take the prescribed treatments, if any, and if the symptoms persist, see a doctor.

Nitrogen dioxide or NO2

Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish gas with a strong pungent odor that gives rise, along with other components, to smog (smoke and fog).

Its origin is in motor vehicles, power plants and the burning of fossil fuels.

Its effects on the lungs is an increase in the incidence of asthma, the risk of death from lung disease, and hospital admissions for this cause.

Prevention focuses on people with symptoms of asthma, respiratory failure or cough should take prescribed treatments, if any, and if symptoms persist go to the doctor.

Particulate Matter or PM

Particulate matter is a mixture of solid and liquid particles that occur naturally through volcanic eruptions, sea spray, spores, and soil particles. Man forms them in industrial processes, construction or the friction of vehicles on the roads. In the atmosphere they can also form after chemical reactions that occur between gases. Rain aids its removal from the air.

Nose and throat irritation, increased hospital admissions for lung disease, premature death from lung and/or heart disease, and being the cause of asthma episodes are some of the effects that these particles have on the lungs.

As preventive measures, it must be taken into account that people with heart or lung diseases should avoid intense exercise. Any person who feels chest pain, respiratory failure should take the palliative medicines that are prescribed, in the case of not having them or if the symptoms persist, they should see a doctor.

Sulfur dioxide or SO2

It is a colorless gas with a strong odor and is produced by the combustion of sulfur. It originates after the burning of fossil fuels (coal, crude oil…)

This gas causes eye irritation as well as respiratory problems. The respiratory system becomes inflamed causing coughing, mucous secretion and aggravation of asthma and chronic bronchitis, in addition to increasing the propensity of people to contract respiratory infections. Hospital admissions for these reasons and for heart disease increase on days when its atmospheric concentration is higher.

People with asthma, the elderly and children should avoid prolonged exposure to this gas and anyone with symptoms should see their doctor or take palliative medication if it was previously prescribed.

The role of the WHO

The WHO aims to recognize and monitor the air pollutants that have the greatest effect on human health, helping countries to focus their attention on procedures to prevent or reduce health risks.

The WHO estimates that a reduction in particulate pollutants could significantly reduce long-term mortality from air pollution.