By Anna Valmero, loQal.ph
For Yahoo! Southeast Asia
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA — A recent study reveals that lead exposure due to air pollution causes anemia, kidney problems and infertility.
The study by the Congressional Commission on Science Technology, and Engineering (COMSTE) further said adults who are exposed to a hazardous amount of lead are also prone to nervous system dysfunction and increased level of miscarriages in females.
The study also found that even low amounts of lead exposure can result in neurologic damage to children, including slow development, reduced intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, learning disabilities, hearing loss, reduced height and hyperactivity (ADHD).
Comas, convulsions and even death can occur in very high levels.
In the country, signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are most common among jeepney drivers, drivers of air-conditioned buses and commuters, according to another study by the College of Public Health at the University of the Philippines Manila.
COPD is characterized by chronic cough with phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing due to limited airflow into the lungs.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is another toxic substance from vehicles. Exposure at 100 parts per million or greater is fatal to human health as it causes cred blood cells absorb CO quicker than oxygen.
This can lead to tissue damage and even death. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
For public transport drivers, the risk of abnormal pulmonary function is up to 50 percent due to emissions from 2.34 million registered Philippine vehicles in Metro Manila.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Manila as the “most polluted city” in the country and the eighth “most polluted city in Asia” from 2000 and 2003.
Senator Edgardo Angara, chairman of COMSTE, noted that air quality in the Philippines has progressively deteriorated over the last two decades with the increasing number of vehicles leading to equally increasing amounts of car emissions.
Car emissions account for 60 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila, according to the COMSTE study. Diesel-powered jeepneys, buses and trucks (especially poorly maintained vehicles) emit black smoke, sulfur and nitrogen oxides.
“One solution to resolve these health risks from air pollution is to decrease the amount of air pollution from the transport sector by developing and using electric and hybrid vehicles,” Angara said.
***
loQal.ph is a website owned and operated by Filquest Media Concepts, Inc. It works under the principle of giving voice to the voiceless, empowering Filipinos and uplifting the image of the Philippines by highlighting its unique culture. To do this, the loQal.ph team produces stories, video, photos and other multimedia content types to inspire and celebrate Filipino achievements, ideas, products and places
By Anna Valmero, loQal.phFor Yahoo! Southeast Asia
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA — A recent study reveals that lead exposure due to air pollution causes anemia, kidney problems and infertility.
The study by the Congressional Commission on Science Technology, and Engineering (COMSTE) further said adults who are exposed to a hazardous amount of lead are also prone to nervous system dysfunction and increased level of miscarriages in females.
The study also found that even low amounts of lead exposure can result in neurologic damage to children, including slow development, reduced intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, learning disabilities, hearing loss, reduced height and hyperactivity (ADHD).
Comas, convulsions and even death can occur in very high levels.
In the country, signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are most common among jeepney drivers, drivers of air-conditioned buses and commuters, according to another study by the College of Public Health at the University of the Philippines Manila.
COPD is characterized by chronic cough with phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing due to limited airflow into the lungs.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is another toxic substance from vehicles. Exposure at 100 parts per million or greater is fatal to human health as it causes cred blood cells absorb CO quicker than oxygen.
This can lead to tissue damage and even death. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
For public transport drivers, the risk of abnormal pulmonary function is up to 50 percent due to emissions from 2.34 million registered Philippine vehicles in Metro Manila.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Manila as the “most polluted city” in the country and the eighth “most polluted city in Asia” from 2000 and 2003.
Senator Edgardo Angara, chairman of COMSTE, noted that air quality in the Philippines has progressively deteriorated over the last two decades with the increasing number of vehicles leading to equally increasing amounts of car emissions.
Car emissions account for 60 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila, according to the COMSTE study. Diesel-powered jeepneys, buses and trucks (especially poorly maintained vehicles) emit black smoke, sulfur and nitrogen oxides.
“One solution to resolve these health risks from air pollution is to decrease the amount of air pollution from the transport sector by developing and using electric and hybrid vehicles,” Angara said.
***
loQal.ph is a website owned and operated by Filquest Media Concepts, Inc. It works under the principle of giving voice to the voiceless, empowering Filipinos and uplifting the image of the Philippines by highlighting its unique culture. To do this, the loQal.ph team produces stories, video, photos and other multimedia content types to inspire and celebrate Filipino achievements, ideas, products and places
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