Importance of Healthy

Respiratory System

SUBSTANCES
HARMFUL TO THE
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM

1. Sulphur dioxide
Sulphur dioxide is mainly produced by the
burning of fossil fuels such as coal and diesel
in factories.
It corrodes the respiratory system and can
cause diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.

2. Nicotine
Nicotine is a poisonous chemical from
cigarette smoke.
It hardens the blood vessels and
increases blood pressure.
It is highly addictive and can
cause lung cancer.

3. Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas released from
motor vehicles.
The haemoglobin in the red blood cells readily
combines with it to form carboxyhaemoglobin. This
prevents the body cells from absorbing oxygen.
Breathing in too much of this gas causes death by
carbon monoxide poisoning.

4. Tar
Tar is a thick black chemical in cigarette smoke.
It sticks to the internal wall of the respiratory system and
damages it.
It corrodes the lungs causing them to be less elastic and
unable to function properly.
It prevents dust and bacteria from
cleared from the lungs,
causing infection in the lungs.

being

5. Haze
Haze is formed as a result of too much dust, smoke
and water vapour in the air. Burning of forests can
cause haze.
It reduces visibility.
It irritates the respiratory passage
and causes cough, asthma and
bronchitis, especially in elderly people.

6. Carcinogens and toxins

Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens such as
benzophyrene.
These carcinogens can cause cancer of the mouth,
throat and lungs.
Cigarette smoke also contains toxins such as
ammonia and hydrogen cyanide.

DISEASES RELATED
TO
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Air pollution , the presence of harmful
microbes in air , smoking and crowded
cities cause respiratory diseases. Examples
include asthma , influenza , pneumonia ,
tuberculosis , bronchitis , emphysema and
lung cancer.

Asthma
The primary cause of asthma seems to be
airborne irritants such as pollutants and dust.
However , genetic factors and food allergy
also play a part.
Asthma is a condition in which the tubes of
the lungs being inflamed. This is because the
air tubes are narrower and partially blocked.
More and thicker mucus is secreted into the
tubes.

Influenza
this disease is caused by viruses which attack
the mucus membranes in the respiratory
system.
the influenza virus spreads through tiny
droplets in the air.

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

Tuberculosis
this disease is caused by bacterial infection
(mycobacterium tuberculosis) which are
carried by water droplets and dust in the air.
infection occurs when the water droplets and
dust are inhaled by other people.
The patient suffers prolonged coughs and
spits out of blood in the end stages.

Bronchitis
bronchitis is caused by viral infections.
Bronchitis makes a person cough and
produce a lot of mucus.
the bronchus become swollen and the patient
feels pain in the chest.
bronchitis causes colds and phlegm.
this disease makes respiration and gaseous
exchange difficult. Patients who smoke find it
hard to recover.

Emphysema
This disease is linked to smokers and people
who work in dusty areas such as in mines and
quarries.
the alveoli expand and burst.
the lungs become less elastic.
the thickened layer of scar prevents oxygen
from diffusing into the blood. As a result the
patient experiences breathing difficulties.

Lung cancer
many cancer cases are a result of smoking
cigarettes.
air polluted with carcinogens from factories
and vehicle emissions , dust and asbestos
also cause cancer.
lung cancer is difficult to cure.
lung cancer is not contagious and cannot
spread from a patient to other people.

WAYS
TO
IMPROVE
AIR
QUALITY

Stop Smoking

Stop Open Burning!!!

Maintain
efficient
car
engines to
reduce
the smoke
given out.

Filter the gases released by

factories.

ther we can have a fresher air,

ther we can make a brighter future

The End

Credits :
Adrian Tan
Kheng Ee Hern
Ryan Chan Kin Hon
Teong Wei Ming