State of the Environment in Vennesla 2002

Healthproblems due to airpollution in Vennesla

Air pollution is recognizable by unwanted gases and particles in the air. Particles that we find in the air will normally not cause any harm,but it is when they occur in larger amounts than we consider normal, that we call it air pollution. Human activity in factories and industries produce these gases.

Most of the air polllution in Vennesla comes from the four major factories here: Hunsfoss, Norwegian Wallboard, Reber Schindler and Vigeland Brug. From 1991 to 1999 the CO2 outlet in Vennesla increased by 230 per cent. Outlet of carbon diocside from mobile souces and stationary combustion has increased most. This has been pointed out by the State Supervision of Pollution. Car traffic and fuel burning is also important when it comes to pollution in Vennesla.

Vigelands Brug Hunsfos

Norsk Wallboard Reber Schindler

Air pollution increases the risks of sicknesses in the respiratory organs, lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This might also cause acute heart problems. In the great cities it is mainly nitrogen dioxide and dust in the air that are the greatest risks to our health.

In the winter, when it is cold and no wind, a cold front may form over Vennesla. This makes the lives of allergics harder. A cold front means that it is colder up in the air than closer to the ground. Lets say that it is minus four degrees Celsius at the bottom of a valley and a few meters above this it is minus tvelwe degrees. This prevents the wind from blowing the pollution away, and it stays there.

Dust in the air can increase allergy problems and lead to an early death. Hospitalization and early deaths may occure in exposed groups such as the elderlies, sick people and small children with for example asthma..

You suffer from allergy when your body reacts to something. If you get an allergic reaction your nose will condense, your eyes will itch and your tears will run. You may get problems breathing and your airways will start to burn. When it comes to pollution, allergic reactions are often caused by floating dust.

If you repeatedly experience attacks of breathing problems, coughing and short breathing it is most likely that you suffer from the chronic disease, asthma. Asthma attacs all age groups. Asthmatics are being affected by different kinds og factors called irritants. Examples of this is exertion, smoking, cold and pollution. It is especially through pollution like nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide that asthmatics are affected.

Nitrogen dioxide can lead to diseases in the respiratory organs, and carbon monoxide can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness. If you, over a period of time, get exposed to increased amounts of NO2, the occurence of acute and chronic diseases increases. Those who are most exposed are asthmatics and children. The most serious consequences are reduced lung function, and you get more susceptible to infections in the airways. Another consequense of NO2 exposure is eye irritation.

Suphur dioxide (SO2) increases the occurrence of coughing and mucus production. SO2 may lead to increased airways resistance for healthy people. Asthmatics may experience reduced lung function and increased airways resistance.

This is our sources:

http://www.sft.no/ http://www.nettdoktor.no/ http://www.environment.no http://www.miljostatus.no (12.06.02), an article in Fedrelandsvennen and S. Unander from Vennesla Local Authority