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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.
PM2.5
PM10
Larynx
Air Flow
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
rich
Oxygen
A
B
C
D
bl o
od
flo
OZONE-DAMAGED
ALVEOLAR SAC
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
ASTHMA
Smooth muscle layer
Blood vessel
Mucus
Normal bronchial
airway
Airway becomes
inflamed
Mucus secretion
increases
Smooth muscle
layer spasms
Swelling and
inflammation
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