Airborne particulate matter (PM) is not a single pollutant, but rather is a mixture of many chemical species. It is a complex mixture of solids and aerosols composed of small droplets of liquid, dry solid fragments, and solid cores with liquid coatings. Particles vary widely in size, shape and chemical composition, and may contain inorganic ions, metallic compounds, elemental carbon, organic compounds, and compounds from the earth’s crust. Particles are defined by their diameter for air quality regulatory purposes. Those with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10) are inhalable into the lungs and can induce adverse health effects. Fine particulate matter is defined as particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5). Therefore, PM2.5 comprises a portion of PM10. PM10 and PM2.5 often derive from different emissions sources, and also have different chemical compositions. Emissions from combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel or wood produce much of the PM2.5 pollution found in outdoor air, as well as a significant proportion of PM10. PM10 also includes dust from construction sites, landfills and agriculture, wildfires and brush/waste burning, industrial sources, wind-blown dust from open lands, pollen and fragments of bacteria.
A number of adverse health impacts have been associated with exposure to both PM2.5 and PM10. For PM2.5, short-term exposures (up to 24-hours duration) have been associated with premature mortality, increased hospital admissions for heart or lung causes, acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, respiratory symptoms, and restricted activity days. Short-term exposures to PM10 have been associated primarily with worsening of respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to hospitalization and emergency department visits. Long-term (months to years) exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to premature death, particularly in people who have chronic heart or lung diseases, and reduced lung function growth in children. The effects of long-term exposure to PM10 are less clear, although several studies suggest a link between long-term PM10 exposure and respiratory mortality.
Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, is currently facing a severe air pollution problem due to high levels of PM2.5. The main sources of PM2.5 in Bangkok are vehicle emissions, construction sites, and open burning of agricultural waste. Bangkok is known for its heavy traffic congestion, which leads to high levels of vehicle emissions. Furthermore, there are many construction sites in the city, which produce large amounts of dust and other particles. Burning fossil fuels or environmentally non-friendly sources of fuel, specifically coal, contributes to air pollution as well. Additionally, the burning of agricultural waste is a common practice in Thailand, especially during the dry season, which exacerbates the PM2.5 problem.
Therefore, Example of Thai herbs, which are used for maintaining healthy lung, is reported in this article as followed:
1) Garlic has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which are beneficial in disease conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Recent studies have concluded that garlic has protective effects in lung cancer patients, and it can be a chemopreventive agent for lung cancer.
2) Ginger is used very commonly in our foods and drinks. Ginger offers many health benefits to our lungs. Due to its anti-inflammatory qualities, ginger causes bronchodilation in asthmatic patients. Various animal and human clinical studies have demonstrated the bronchodilatory effects of ginger. Ginger also breaks down the thick mucus and helps to expel out the mucus.
3) Curcumin in turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which can be beneficial for supporting lung function.
4) In a laboratory, capsaicin stopped the first stage of lung cancer metastasis (spreading). Another study looked at more than 20,000 people who did or did not eat spicy foods. Those who ate more capsaicin-rich foods had a lower rate of deaths caused by respiratory diseases.
References:
1) Inhalable Particulate Matter and Health (PM2.5 and PM10) | California Air Resources Board
2) PM 2.5 Air Pollution and Its Impacts (primocare.com)
3) Do You Know The Foods That Are Good For Your Lungs? – PharmEasy Blog
4) Does Garlic Reduce Your Risk of Cancer? (verywellhealth.com)
5) Can Ginger Actually Help Your Upset Stomach? (ddcofkankakee.com)
6) Turmeric nourishes the lungs safely. with natural herbs – saithongherb
7) 9 Foods That Can Help In Improving Lung Function (ndtv.com)
8) 9 Grocery Foods for Healthy Lungs & 4 to Leave on the Shelf (mesothelioma.com)
9) Red Chilli: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects by Dr. Smita Barode – PharmEasy Blog
