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Air – Composition, Health Effects and Medicine

Air is the gaseous mixture of the Earth's atmosphere, composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases, and is essential for human life and health.

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Things worth knowing about "Air"

Air is the gaseous mixture of the Earth's atmosphere, composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases, and is essential for human life and health.

What is Air?

Air is the natural gas mixture that forms the Earth's atmosphere and is indispensable for all living organisms. It consists of approximately 78% nitrogen (N₂), around 21% oxygen (O₂), and small amounts of argon, carbon dioxide (CO₂), water vapor, and trace gases. For the human body, the oxygen component is particularly vital, as it is required for cellular respiration and energy production in nearly all body cells.

Composition of Air

Dry atmospheric air is composed primarily of the following components:

Nitrogen (N₂): approx. 78.09%
Oxygen (O₂): approx. 20.95%
Argon (Ar): approx. 0.93%
Carbon dioxide (CO₂): approx. 0.04%
Trace gases: neon, helium, methane, ozone, and others
Water vapor: variable, depending on humidity

Air may also contain suspended particles such as pollen, fine particulate matter, mold spores, and pollutants (e.g., nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone) that can have significant health effects.

The Importance of Air for Health

The quality of the air we breathe has a major impact on human health. Clean air is essential for optimal oxygen supply to the body. Polluted air, on the other hand, can cause or worsen numerous diseases:

Respiratory diseases: Bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis
Cardiovascular diseases: Increased risk from fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides
Allergies: High pollen levels can trigger allergic reactions
Lung cancer: Long-term exposure to pollutants such as radon or fine dust increases the risk

Indoor Air and Outdoor Air

Outdoor Air

The quality of outdoor air is influenced by natural factors (e.g., volcanic eruptions, wildfires) and human activities (industry, traffic, agriculture). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to millions of premature deaths globally each year.

Indoor Air

People spend the majority of their time indoors. Indoor air can be contaminated by mold, house dust, tobacco smoke, off-gassing from building materials (e.g., formaldehyde), and poor ventilation. Regular airing out of rooms and the use of air purifiers can improve indoor air quality.

Air in Medicine

In medicine, air plays a central role in several areas:

Ventilation medicine: Mechanical ventilation with enriched air or pure oxygen in cases of respiratory failure
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Treatment with pure oxygen under increased air pressure for certain conditions
Pneumothorax: Air entering the pleural space causes lung collapse
Air embolism: Air entering blood vessels can be life-threatening
Diagnostics: X-ray examinations use the different radiation permeability of air and tissue

Air and Prevention

To minimize health risks related to air quality, health authorities recommend the following measures:

Regular ventilation of indoor spaces (at least 3 times daily)
Avoiding smoking indoors
Limiting outdoor activity during high particulate matter or pollen levels
Using respiratory protection masks in heavily polluted environments
Monitoring indoor humidity (optimal range: 40-60%)

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Ambient air quality and health. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health (2021).
European Environment Agency (EEA): Air quality in Europe – 2022 report. Available at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2022 (2022).
Kumar P. et al. – Indoor air quality and health: A review of the literature. Environmental International, Elsevier, 2023.

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