BREATHING BAD AIR

Every time you inhale, your lungs take in air pollution particles and gasses.
Large air pollution particles and irritating gasses can deposit in your nose,
throat and lungs, causing respiratory issues.
PAUL PENZELLA | Southern California News Group
Particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter, like
those found in fuel combustion, penetrate deeply
into the lungs, collecting in tiny air sacs where
oxygen enters the blood stream.

AIR QUALITY AND THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Fine particles, which are emitted directly as smoke
and diesel soot, can be inhaled deep into the lungs,
damaging cells in the lungs airways, causing
inflamation and swelling of blood vessels.

Particles larger than 2.5 microns, but smaller than

2 microns, as in wind-blown dust and crushing
operations, are less harmful.

Particles also reduce the respiratory systems ability

to fight infection and remove other foreign
particles. Those who already suffer from respiratory
problems, such as asthma, emphysema and chronic
bronchitis, are particularly at risk.

PM2.5

PM10
Larynx

Air Flow

Particulate matter (PM) larger than

10 microns collect in the throat,
nose; eliminated by sneezing,
coughing, nose blowing.

Particulate matter less

than 10 microns settle
in the windpipe.

Trachea

Right lung

Left lung

Upper lobe

Middle lobe
Lower lobe

Bronchiole

RESPIRATORY ZONE
Polutants can damage the air sacs (alveoli) in the
deepest part of the lungs, where oxygen is picked up
and transported by the blood to all parts of the body.

w
Oxygen p oor blood f l o

A. Alveoli are the final branchings

of the respiratory tree and act as
the primary gas exchange units of
the lungs

rich
Oxygen

B. Alveoli sacs are clusters of

alveoli and the final elements of
the bronchial tree. Each alveolar
sac is surrounded by a rich
network of blood capillaries. It has
been estimated that each adult
lung has about 300 million alveoli,
with a total surface area for gas
exhange of 70-80 square meters.

A
B

E. Pulmonary arteries carry

blood which is low in oxygen from
the heart to the lungs.

C
D

F. Pulmonary veins transfer

blood from the capillaries and
transport freshly oxydenated
blood out of the lungs and back to
the heart.

bl o

C. Respiratory brochioles have

scattered alveoli in their walls.
They lead into alveolar ducts,
which are completely lined by
alveoli.

D. Networks of capillaries are

formed from repeatedly branching
pulmonary arteries that completely surround each alveolus. This
rich blood supply allows for the
efficient exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide between the air in
the alveoli and the blood in the
pulmonary capillaries.

od

flo

HOW PARTICLES DAMAGE

THE ALVEOLAR SAC

OZONE-DAMAGED
ALVEOLAR SAC

Ozone burns the cell walls of the

alveoli, causing scarring and
thickening of the alveolar tissue.

Oxygen in
White blood cells
(lymphocytes)
Surrounded by white
blood cells, particulate
matter settles in the
alveoli and causes an
inflammation.

Particulate
matter

Alveoli

Carbon
dioxide out

Built-up scar
tissue due to damage
from particulate matter
or ozone exposure slows
the oxygen flow, making
the air transfer to
capillaries more difficult.

Oxygen-rich
capillaries

Oxygen depleted capillaries

ASTHMA
Smooth muscle layer
Blood vessel

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease

characterized by irregular breathing problems.
It occurs when the linnings of the lungs
bronchial airways become inflamed or swollen,
usually due to allergies, airborne irritants or
weather changes. These airways carry oxygen
to the blood, and severe attack can be fatal.
Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergies,
exercise, dust, pollution or other factors.

Mucus

Normal bronchial
airway

Ozone, a key component of smog, is known

to exacerbate asthma and can induce lung
inflamation and reduce breathing capacity.

Blood vessels widen

in allergic reactions

Airway becomes
inflamed

Mucus secretion
increases
Smooth muscle
layer spasms
Swelling and
inflammation

Bronchial airway during

an asthma attack

Sources: Animated Dissection of Anatomy for Medicine (A.D.A.M. Inc.); American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; California Air Resources Board; Science Encyclopedia, American Lung Association; American
Institute of Preventative Medicine; Mayo Clinic; British Columbia Ministry of Environment; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Kenneth S. Saladin, Anatomy of Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, Johns
Hopkiins School of Medicines interactive media