Air Pollution

The two main pollutants that affect respiratory health are ozone (O3) and particulate matter
(PM).
Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and
oxides of nitrogen (NOx) react with
the sun's ultraviolet rays. The primary source of
VOCs and NOx is mobile sources, including cars, trucks, buses,
construction
equipment and agricultural equipment. (http://www.sparetheair.com/health.cfm?
page=healthoverall)
Ozone (O3) is mostly a problem during the summertime. It stays at ground level and
causes constriction in airways which forces the respiratory system to work harder in order to
spread oxygen throughout the body. It also causes headaches, chest tightness, wheezing,
shortness of breath, nausea, throat irritation, inflammation, increased susceptibility to infections,
can exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma. The more healthy an individual is, the
less severe the symptoms become. It should be considered that no one is immune to some of
the symptoms that come from breathing ozone or PM.
Particulate Matter is a complex mixture of a variety of particles that reside in the air. It
can come from smoke of any sort or can be formed through chemical reactions in the
atmosphere. Symptoms from breathing PM are similar to ozone but also include nonfatal heart
attacks, irregular heartbeat, and (long-term) chronic obstructive lung disease.
Talk about the biological mechanisms that occur when ozone/PM are entering the body.
Fruits & Vegetables to Grow
Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients. Selecting which fruits and vegetables to grow
is pivotal to this project. Since air pollutants block airwaves which makes it harder for oxygen to
get around the body eating a nutrient which supports faster blood circulation would counteract
the lack of oxygen getting to the body because oxygen flows through blood. Lycopene is one
nutrient that supports increased blood circulation. Lycopene is found in and responsible for the
red color in some fruits and vegetables. Some of these fruits and vegetables include:
Watermelons, Red Carrots, tomatoes, asparagus, and parsley. Some of the produce mentioned
are not red because a produce does not have to be red to contain lycopene. Even some red
produce do not contain lycopene. Its antioxidant capabilities are presumed but no studies have
shown conclusive data.
Antioxidants are essential for respiratory health and there are many types of nutrients
that have anti-oxidizing abilities

References
http://www.livestrong.com/article/370785-food-to-help-breathing/
http://www.sparetheair.com/health.cfm?page=healthoverall
https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/HG_2004-10.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycopene
http://us.revitive.com/health-information/foods-to-improve-circulation/
http://home.chpc.utah.edu/~whiteman/PM2.5/PM2.5.html
http://www.health.utah.gov/utahair/

http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/vegetable-gardening/5069.html
https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/HG_313.pdf
extension.usu.edu/htm/publications/file=5283
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2606/2
Broccoli in the Garden: Dan Drost and Michael Johnson
Goji in the Garden Tiffany Maughan, Research Associate, and Brent Black
Kale in the Garden Dan Drost and Michael Johnson
Basil in the Garden Lindsay Pearson and Dan Drost
http://www.livestrong.com/article/351464-foods-that-help-the-respiratory-system/