Potential Health Effects Due to Inhalation of Air Pollutants
Potential Health Effects Due to Inhalation of Air Pollutants
The table below is aimed at providing a summary of research about the most common air pollutants and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all toxic exposures. This chart may not include the health effects of high-level exposures. All the information is from Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry( ATSDR) ToxProfiles. There is a rapidly expanding body of scientific evidence linking air pollution and health concerns.
Chemical
Short-term Exposures, Acute Health Symptoms
Long-term Exposures, Chronic Health Effects
Volatile Organic Chemicals( VOCs)
Varies by chemical( see below) Varies by chemical( see below)
Benzene
Headache, dizziness, fatigue, rapid heart rate, tremors, confusion, unconsciousness
Anemia, leukemia, irregular menstrual periods, increased chance of infection, potential impacts to fertility
Toluene Headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, weakness, memory loss, nausea, loss of appetite
Permanent neurological effects, hearing and color vision loss, during pregnancy can lead to developmental effects such as reduced mental abilities and stunted growth
Ethyl Benzene |
Eye and throat irritation, dizziness |
Cancer, irreversible damage to the |
|
|
inner ear and hearing |
Xylene Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation; difficulty in breathing and problems with the lungs; memory difficulties; stomach discomfort; changes in liver and kidney; headaches; lack of muscle coordination; dizziness; confusion; changes in balance
Permanent neurological effects
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons( PAHs)
Formaldehyde
Methylene Chloride
Eye and skin irritation, asthma attacks, acute cardiac events, fertility issues, in pregnancy higher rates of birth defects and lower body weights
Nose and eye irritation, increased risk of asthma and allergies, decrease in weight, stomach ulcers, liver and kidney damage
Decreased attentiveness, difficult hand-eye coordination, dizziness, nausea, tingling of toes and fingers, burning and redness of skin
Contribute to the development or worsening of pulmonary or cardiac diseases; lung, skin, and bladder cancer
Asthma, eczema, nasal and throat cancer
Chance of cancer was seen in animals exposed, unsure still whether it can cause cancer in humans