THE IMPORTANCE OF A

HEALTHY RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM

A. HEALTHY
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
1.Our respiratory system is protected by
a layer ofcilia and glands which secrete
mucus.
2.Our lungs are in
direct
contact
with the air we
breathe.
3.The pollutants in
the air can cause
damage to our

B. EFFECTS OF HARMFUL
SUBSTANCES

1.Nicotine in cigarettes
a.Stimulates the production of cells
in the trachea and lungs and
leads to lung cancer.
b.Narrows and hardens the blood
vessels. This affects blood flow
and causes heart attacks.
c.Leads to
addiction as
nicotine is a
drug.

2.Tar in tobacco
a.blackens the lungs.
b.The walls of the lungs thicken
and this makes respiration
difficult.
c. Tar is carcinogenic and can
cause lung cancer.

3.Nitrogen dioxide in cigarette smoke

and from motor vehicles and
industries
a.dissolves in the mucus layer on
the walls of the trachea and
alveolus.
b.It forms an acid which can
destroy lung tissues.
c.In big towns, the reddish-brown
layer in the atmosphere is due to
the presence
of nitrogen
dioxide.

Nitrogen dioxide, NO2, is a brownishred gas at room temperature.

Nitrogen dioxide is a poisonous gas

4. Sulphur dioxide
a.Sulphur dioxide is acidic.
b.It is released when fuels which
contain sulphur are burnt.
c.Cigarette smoke and smoke
from factories have a high
sulphur dioxide content.
d.Sulphur dioxide is very soluble
in the alveoli. It forms an acid
which destroys the lungs.

5. Carbon monoxide
a.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas which

is produced when organic fuels are
burnt.

b.Most of the carbon monoxide in the

atmosphere comes from vehicles and
factories which use charcoal, petrol
and diesel as fuel.
c. Carbon monoxide
combines with
haemoglobin inthe red
blood cells and prevents
oxygen from combining
with haemoglobin.

6.Dust and dirt

a.Dust and dirt are released to the
atmosphere by factories and motor
vehicles.
b.The presence of dust and dirt in
our lungs hinders the exchange
of gases.

C. DISEASES OF THE
SYSTEM
1.RESPIRATORY
Asthma
a. The primary cause of asthma is due to airborne
irritants such as pollutants and dust.
b.It may also caused by genetic factors and food
allergy .
c.Asthma is a condition in
which the tubes of the
lungs become inflamed.
d.This is because the air
tubes are narrower and
partially blocked.
e.More and thicker
mucus is secreted into
the tubes.

2.
INFLUEN
ZA
a.This disease is
caused
b.by viruses which
attack the mucus
membranes
theinfluenza
respiratory
b.in
The
virus spreads
system. tiny droplets in the
through
air.
Blocked noses, teary eyes,
giddiness, headaches, aches
in the limbs, coughs and
fever are some of
the symptoms of the disease.

Snee
ze

3.Pneumonia
a.Pneumonia is caused by bacteria,
viruses and chemical substances in
polluted air.
b.The trachea and alveolus are
attacked by bacteria or viruses.
The lungs are filled
with pus and fluid
and the patient
will suffer from
chest pains, fever
and coughs.

4.Tuberculosis (TB)
a.This disease is caused by bacterial
infection (Mycobacterium
tuberculosis) which are carried by
water droplets and dust in the air.
b.Infection occurs when the water
droplets and dust are inhaled by
other people.
c.The patient
suffers prolonged
coughs and spits
out blood in the
end stages.

5.Bronchitis
a.Bronchitis is
caused by viral
infections.
b.Bronchitis
makes a
person cough
and produce
a lot of mucus.
c. The bronchus becomes swollen and the patient
feels pain in the chest. feels pain in the chest.
d.Bronchitis causes colds and phlegm.
e. This disease makes respiration and gaseous
exchange difficult. Patients who smoke find it
hard to recover.

6. Emphysema
a. This disease is
linked to smokers
and people who
work in dusty areas
such as in mines
and quarries.
b.The alveoli expand
and burst.
c.The lungs become
less elastic.
d.The thickened layer of scar prevents
oxygen from diffusing into the blood.

7. Lung cancer
a. Many cancer cases are a result of smoking
cigarettes.
b. Air polluted with carcinogens from factories
and vehicle emissions, dust and asbestos
also cause cancer.
c.Lung cancer is difficult to cure.
d.It is important that we
keep away from these
pollutants.
e.Lung cancer is not
contagious and cannot
spread from a patient to

D. IMPROVING AIR
QUALITY

1. Pollution is mainly caused by

irresponsible
human behaviour
and
improperly
planned
activities.
2.We must be responsible for
preserving and conserving air
quality.
3.Air pollution interferes with the
respiratory process. It can cause

CHEMICALS FOUND IN
CIGARETTE

yschow@smkbpj(a)

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE AIR

QUALITY?

Walk or cycle instead of using

your car.

Use public
transport instead
of taking the car

Service your vehicle regularly - this

can reduce pollution and make it
cheaper to run.

21

Stop open
burning

Opening up the
windows to allow
indoor air circulation

Car
pool

Dont
Smoke

Bring In Some
Nature

PRACTICES OF KEEPING THE AIR

CLEAN
Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit.
Reduce your heating needs by making your house more energy efficient. Don't burn wood or trash.
Instead of burning debris, start a compost pile in your backyard for organic materials.
Use hand-powered garden tools. Avoid using gasoline or diesel-powered equipment such as lawnmowers
and leaf-blowers.
Know before you go. If you need to drive, plan the most fuel efficient route using free online tool such as
Google maps, taking notice of areas of construction and high traffic. Avoiding these areas can help
prevent needless idling.
Check your tire pressure. Properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency. Each 5% of under-inflation
translates into a 1% decrease in fuel efficiency.
Reduce, reuse and recycle.
Avoid idling. Turn off your cars engine while waiting for someone and try to avoid drive-through lines.
Garden without pesticides. There are many healthy and safe alternatives to harmful cosmetic pesticides.