It is probably not entirely correct to speak of air as a chemical compound. Rather, it is a mixture of gases in which water vapor is present. The main composition of the air is nitrogen-oxygen in a volume ratio of 78-21%. The rest belongs to hydrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, helium, etc. The composition of the air can vary depending on the geography of the place (city, forest, mountains, sea) within 2% for each gas.

Many people sometimes wonder what the air consists of and what is its formula. Air is a mixture of gases that envelops our Earth in the atmosphere. So the main components are nitrogen and oxygen, the rest are gases that just add a little air

Air is a mixture of gases. The composition of the air is not constant and changes depending on the terrain, region and even the number of people near you. Basically, air consists of about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, the rest is impurities of various compounds.



Vladimir! As such, the chemical formula for air does not exist ..

air is a MIXTURE of various gases - oxygen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and other gases ..

it is difficult to name the exact proportion of these gases in the atmosphere ...

Air is essentially a mixture of nitrogen (about 80%) and oxygen (about 20%), other gases are about 1% or less. As such, the chemical formula of air does not exist, since it is a mixture of various compounds in different percentages.

Air is not a chemical compound. Air is a mixture of gases, and its composition is not constant and depends directly on the place in which we will analyze the composition of the air, the presence of certain contaminants.

98-99% of the air composition is nitrogen and oxygen. Also included in the air

It is impossible to draw up a single integral formula for the Earth's atmosphere. But you can determine what gases are in the air:

• Nitrogen N2 - 78.084%.
• Oxygen (which we breathe) O2 - 20.9476%.
• Argon Ar - 0.934%.
• Carbon dioxide CO2 - 0.0314%.
• Neon Ne - 0.001818%.
• Methane CH4 - 0.0002%.
• Helium He - 0.000524%.
• Krypton Kr - 0.000114%.
• Hydrogen H2 - 0.00005%.
• Xenon Xe - 0.0000087%.
• Ozone O3 - 0.000007%.
• Nitrogen dioxide NO2 - 0.000002%.
• Iodine I2 - 0.000001%.
• The amount of carbon monoxide CO and ammonium NH3 is negligible.

• Air cannot be called a chemical compound, because it consists of a mixture of various gases, which is constantly changing its composition. Moreover, this change is both qualitative and quantitative. So, if up to an altitude of 13 kilometers, the composition of the atmosphere changes little, then the ozone layer appears above, that is, a large amount of triatomic oxygen appears in the atmosphere. On the other hand, near the surface, the composition of the atmosphere is greatly influenced by both man-made pollution (emissions from enterprises, cars) and natural (volcanic activity). The chemical compound is usually constant, the atoms of the elements in it are linked by various bonds and are in strict proportions.

  Here is the composition of the atmosphere at the surface:

  

  And here are the changes taking place in the atmosphere with height:

  

  You will not be able to find any chemical formula of air anywhere. The thing is that the air in its composition has a huge amount of various impurities of gases, so you can only provide a list of these impurities with an approximate percentage, and here is this list.

The main constituents of atmospheric air are oxygen (about 21%), nitrogen (78%), carbon dioxide (0.03-0.04%), water vapor, inert gases, ozone, hydrogen peroxide (about 1%).

Oxygen is the most constituent part of air. With his direct participation, all oxidative processes in the human and animal body take place. At rest, a person consumes about 350 ml of oxygen per minute, and with hard physical work, the amount of oxygen consumed increases several times.

Inhaled air contains 20.7-20.9% oxygen, while exhaled air contains about 15-16%. Thus, the tissues of the body absorb about 1/4 of the oxygen present in the inhaled air.

In the atmosphere, the oxygen content does not change significantly. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and, splitting it, assimilate carbon, and the released oxygen is released into the atmosphere. The source of oxygen formation is also the photochemical decomposition of water vapor in the upper atmosphere under the influence of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The mixing of air flows in the lower layers of the atmosphere is also important in ensuring a constant composition of atmospheric air. The exception is hermetically sealed premises, where, due to a long stay of people, the oxygen content can significantly decrease (submarines, shelters, pressurized aircraft cabins, etc.).

For the body, the partial pressure * of oxygen is important, and not its absolute content in the inhaled air. This is due to the fact that the transfer of oxygen from the alveolar air to the blood and from the blood to the tissue fluid occurs under the influence of the difference in partial pressure. The partial pressure of oxygen decreases with increasing altitude of the area above sea level, (table 1).

Table 1. Partial pressure of oxygen at different altitudes

The use of oxygen for the treatment of diseases accompanied by oxygen starvation (oxygen tents, inhalers) is of great importance.

Carbon dioxide. The content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is fairly constant. This constancy is explained by its circulation in nature. Despite the fact that the processes of decay, the vital activity of the body are accompanied by the release of carbon dioxide, a significant increase in its content in the atmosphere does not occur, since carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants. In this case, carbon is used to build organic matter, and oxygen enters the atmosphere. The exhaled air contains up to 4.4% carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a physiological pathogen of the respiratory center, therefore, with artificial respiration, it is added to the air in small quantities. In large quantities, it can be narcotic and cause death.

Carbon dioxide is also of hygienic importance. Its content is used to judge the cleanliness of the air in residential and public premises (i.e., premises where people are). When people congregate in poorly ventilated rooms, parallel to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the air, the content of other human waste products increases, the air temperature rises and its humidity increases.

It has been established that if the content of carbon dioxide in indoor air exceeds 0.07-0.1%, then the air acquires an unpleasant odor and can disrupt the functional state of the body.

The parallelism of the change in the listed properties of the air in residential premises and the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide, as well as the simplicity of determining its content, make it possible to use this indicator for the hygienic assessment of air quality and the efficiency of ventilation in public premises.

Nitrogen and other gases. Nitrogen is the main constituent of atmospheric air. In the body, it is in a dissolved state in the blood and tissue fluids, but does not take part in chemical reactions.

At present, it has been experimentally established that under conditions of increased pressure, nitrogen in the air causes in animals a disorder of neuromuscular coordination, subsequent excitement and a narcotic state. Researchers observed similar phenomena in divers. The use of a helium-oxygen mixture for breathing by divers makes it possible to increase the descent depth up to 200 m without pronounced symptoms of intoxication.

During electrical lightning discharges and under the influence of ultraviolet rays from the sun, small amounts of other gases are formed in the air. Their hygienic value is relatively small.

* The partial pressure of a gas in a mixture of gases is the pressure that a given gas would produce if it occupied the entire volume of the mixture.

LECTURE No. 3. Atmospheric air.

Topic: Atmospheric air, its chemical composition and physiological

the meaning of the constituent parts.

Atmospheric pollution; their impact on public health.

Lecture plan:

The chemical composition of the atmospheric air.

The biological role and physiological significance of its constituent parts: nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, ozone, inert gases.

The concept of atmospheric pollution and its sources.

The impact of air pollution on health (direct impact).

The impact of atmospheric pollution on the living conditions of the population (indirect impact on health).

Protection of atmospheric air from pollution.

The gaseous envelope of the earth is called the atmosphere. The total weight of the earth's atmosphere is 5.13  10 15 tons.

The air that forms the atmosphere is a mixture of different gases. The composition of dry air at sea level will be as follows:

Table No. 1

The composition of dry air at a temperature of 0 0 C and

pressure of 760 mm Hg. Art.

The constituents Components	Percentage composition by volume	Concentration in mg / m 3
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Nitrous oxide

The composition of the earth's atmosphere remains constant over land, over the sea, in cities and countryside. It also does not change with height. It should be remembered that we are talking about the percentage of air constituents at different heights. However, the same cannot be said about the weight concentration of gases. As it rises upward, the density of the air decreases and the number of molecules contained in a unit of space also decreases. As a result, the weight concentration of the gas and its partial pressure drop.

Let us dwell on the characteristics of the individual constituent parts of the air.

The main component of the atmosphere is nitrogen. Nitrogen is an inert gas. It does not support breathing and burning. Life is impossible in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Nitrogen plays an important biological role. Air nitrogen is assimilated by some types of bacteria and algae, which form organic compounds from it.

Under the influence of atmospheric electricity, a small amount of nitrogen ions are formed, which are washed out of the atmosphere by precipitation and enrich the soil with salts of nitrous and nitric acid. Nitrous acid salts are converted into nitrites under the influence of soil bacteria. Nitrites and ammonia salts are assimilated by plants and serve for the synthesis of proteins.

Thus, the transformation of inert nitrogen of the atmosphere into living matter of the organic world is carried out.

Due to the lack of nitrogenous fertilizers of natural origin, mankind has learned to obtain them artificially. A nitrogen fertilizer industry has been created and is developing, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and nitrogenous fertilizers.

The biological significance of nitrogen is not limited to its participation in the cycle of nitrogenous substances. It plays an important role as a diluent of atmospheric oxygen, since life is impossible in pure oxygen.

An increase in the nitrogen content in the air causes hypoxia and asphyxia due to a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen.

With an increase in the partial pressure, nitrogen exhibits narcotic properties. However, in an open atmosphere, the narcotic effect of nitrogen does not manifest itself, since fluctuations in its concentration are insignificant.

The most important component of the atmosphere is gaseous oxygen (O 2 ) .

Oxygen in our solar system in a free state is found only on Earth.

Many assumptions have been made regarding the evolution (development) of terrestrial oxygen. The most widely accepted explanation is that the overwhelming majority of oxygen in the modern atmosphere was formed during photosynthesis in the biosphere; and only an initial, small amount of oxygen was formed as a result of photosynthesis of water.

The biological role of oxygen is extremely important. Life is impossible without oxygen. The Earth's atmosphere contains 1.18  10 15 tons of oxygen.

In nature, the processes of oxygen consumption are continuously going on: respiration of humans and animals, combustion, oxidation processes. At the same time, the processes of restoring the oxygen content in the air (photosynthesis) are ongoing. Plants absorb carbon dioxide, break it down, assimilate carbon, and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Plants emit 0.5  10 5 million tons of oxygen into the atmosphere. This is enough to cover the natural loss of oxygen. Therefore, its content in the air is constant and is 20, 95%.

The continuous flow of air masses stir the troposphere, which is why there is no difference in oxygen content in cities and rural areas. The oxygen concentration fluctuates within a few tenths of a percent. It does not matter. However, in deep pits, wells, caves, the oxygen content can drop, so descent into them is dangerous.

With a drop in the partial pressure of oxygen in humans and animals, the phenomena of oxygen starvation are observed. Significant changes in the partial pressure of oxygen occur when rising above sea level. The phenomenon of oxygen deficiency can be observed when climbing mountains (mountaineering, tourism), during air travel. Climbing up to 3000m can cause altitude or mountain sickness.

With long-term residence in high-mountainous areas, people develop an addiction to a lack of oxygen and acclimatization begins.

High partial pressure of oxygen is unfavorable for humans. At a partial pressure of more than 600 mm, the vital capacity of the lungs decreases. Inhalation of pure oxygen (partial pressure 760 mm) causes pulmonary edema, pneumonia, convulsions.

Under natural conditions, an increased oxygen content is not observed in the air.

Ozone is an integral part of the atmosphere. Its mass is 3.5 billion tons. The ozone content in the atmosphere changes with the seasons: in spring it is high, in autumn it is low. The ozone content depends on the latitude of the area: the closer to the equator, the lower it is. Ozone concentration has a daily rate: it reaches its maximum by noon.

The ozone concentration is unevenly distributed over the height. Its highest content is observed at an altitude of 20-30 km.

Ozone is continuously generated in the stratosphere. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, oxygen molecules dissociate (disintegrate) to form atomic oxygen. Oxygen atoms recombine (combine) with oxygen molecules and form ozone (O 3). At altitudes above and below 20-30 km, the processes of photosynthesis (formation) of ozone slow down.

The presence of an ozone layer in the atmosphere is of great importance for the existence of life on Earth.

Ozone traps the short-wavelength part of the solar radiation spectrum, does not transmit waves shorter than 290 nm (nanometers). In the absence of ozone, life on earth would be impossible due to the destructive effect of short ultraviolet radiation on all living things.

Ozone also absorbs infrared radiation with a wavelength of 9.5 microns (microns). Thanks to this, ozone traps about 20 percent of the earth's heat radiation, reducing its heat loss. In the absence of ozone, the absolute temperature of the Earth would be 7 0 lower.

Ozone is brought into the lower atmosphere - the troposphere from the stratosphere as a result of mixing of air masses. With slight agitation, the concentration of ozone at the earth's surface drops. An increase in ozone in the air is observed during a thunderstorm as a result of atmospheric electricity discharges and an increase in turbulence (mixing) of the atmosphere.

At the same time, a significant increase in the concentration of ozone in the air is the result of the photochemical oxidation of organic substances that enter the atmosphere with vehicle exhaust gases and industrial emissions. Ozone is a toxic substance. Ozone has an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat at a concentration of 0.2-1 mg / m 3.

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is in the atmosphere at a concentration of 0.03%. Its total amount is 2330 billion tons. A large amount of carbon dioxide is found in dissolved form in the water of the seas and oceans. In a bound form, it is part of dolomites and limestones.

The atmosphere is constantly replenished with carbon dioxide as a result of the vital processes of living organisms, the processes of combustion, decay, and fermentation. A person emits 580 liters of carbon dioxide per day. A large amount of carbon dioxide is released during the decomposition of limestone.

Despite the presence of numerous sources of formation, there is no significant accumulation of carbon dioxide in the air. Carbon dioxide is constantly assimilated (absorbed) by plants in the process of photosynthesis.

In addition to plants, the seas and oceans are the regulators of the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere. With an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the air, it dissolves in water, and when it decreases, it is released into the atmosphere.

In the surface atmosphere, small fluctuations in the concentration of carbon dioxide are observed: it is lower over the ocean than over land; higher in the forest than in the field; in cities it is higher than outside the city.

Carbon dioxide plays an important role in the life of animals and humans. He is the stimulator of the respiratory center.

In the atmospheric air there is a certain amount of inert gases: argon, neon, helium, krypton and xenon. These gases belong to the zero group of the periodic table, do not react with other elements, and are inert in the chemical sense.

Inert gases are narcotic. Their narcotic properties are manifested at high barometric pressure. In an open atmosphere, the narcotic properties of inert gases cannot manifest themselves.

In addition to the constituent parts of the atmosphere, it contains various natural impurities and pollution introduced as a result of human activities.

Impurities that are present in the air in addition to its natural chemical composition are called atmospheric pollution.

Atmospheric pollution is subdivided into natural and artificial.

Natural pollution includes impurities that enter the air as a result of spontaneous natural processes (plant, soil dust, volcanic eruptions, cosmic dust).

Artificial atmospheric pollution is formed as a result of human production activities.

Artificial sources of atmospheric pollution are divided into 4 groups:

transport;

industry;

heat power engineering;

waste incineration.

Let us dwell on their brief description.

The current situation is characterized by the fact that the volume of emissions from road transport exceeds the volume of emissions from industrial enterprises.

One car emits more than 200 chemical compounds into the air. Each car consumes an average of 2 tons of fuel and 30 tons of air per year, and emits 700 kg of carbon monoxide (CO), 230 kg of unburned hydrocarbons, 40 kg of nitrogen oxides (NO 2) and 2-5 kg ​​of solids into the atmosphere.

The modern city is also saturated with other types of transport: rail, water and air. The total amount of emissions into the environment from all types of transport tends to grow continuously.

Industrial enterprises rank second after transport in terms of the degree of damage to the environment.

The most intense air pollution is produced by enterprises of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, petrochemical and coke-chemical industries, as well as enterprises producing building materials. They emit tens of tons of soot, dust, metals and their compounds (copper, zinc, lead, nickel, tin, etc.) into the atmosphere.

Entering the atmosphere, metals pollute the soil, accumulate in it, and penetrate into the water of reservoirs.

In areas where industrial enterprises are located, the population is exposed to the risk of adverse effects of atmospheric pollution.

In addition to particulate matter, industry emits various gases into the air: sulfuric anhydride, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, hydrocarbons, and radioactive gases.

Pollutants can be in the environment for a long time and have a harmful effect on the human body.

For example, hydrocarbons persist in the environment for up to 16 years, take an active part in photochemical processes in the atmospheric air with the formation of toxic mists.

Massive air pollution is observed when solid and liquid fuels are burned in thermal power plants. They are the main sources of air pollution with sulfur and nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, soot and dust. These sources are characterized by massive air pollution.

Currently, there are many known facts of the adverse effect of atmospheric pollution on human health.

Atmospheric pollution has both acute and chronic effects on the human body.

Toxic fogs are examples of the acute impact of atmospheric pollution on public health. The concentration of toxic substances in the air increased under unfavorable meteorological conditions.

The first toxic fog was registered in Belgium in 1930. Several hundred people were injured, 60 people died. Subsequently, similar cases were repeated: in 1948 in the American city of Donor. 6,000 people were injured. In 1952, 4,000 people died from the Great London Mist. In 1962, 750 Londoners died for the same reason. In 1970, 10 thousand people suffered from smog over the Japanese capital (Tokyo), in 1971 - 28 thousand.

In addition to the disasters listed, the analysis of research materials by domestic and foreign authors draws attention to an increase in the overall incidence of the population due to air pollution.

The studies performed in this plan allow us to conclude that as a result of the impact of atmospheric pollution in industrial centers, there is an increase in:

the overall mortality rate from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases;

acute nonspecific upper respiratory tract morbidity;

chronic bronchitis;

bronchial asthma;

emphysema of the lungs;

lung cancer;

reduced life expectancy and creative activity.

In addition, at present, mathematical analysis has revealed a statistically significant correlation between the incidence of diseases of the blood, digestive organs, skin diseases and levels of air pollution.

The respiratory organs, the digestive system and the skin are the “gateways” for toxic substances and serve as targets for their direct and indirect action.

The impact of atmospheric pollution on living conditions is regarded as an indirect (indirect) impact of atmospheric pollution on the health of the population.

It includes:

decrease in overall illumination;

reduction of ultraviolet radiation from the sun;

changing climatic conditions;

deterioration of living conditions;

negative impact on green spaces;

negative effects on animals.

Substances that pollute the atmosphere cause great damage to buildings, structures, construction materials.

The total economic damage to the United States from air pollutants, including their impact on human health, building materials, metals, fabrics, leather, paper, paints, rubber and other materials is $ 15-20 billion annually.

All of the above indicates that the protection of atmospheric air from pollution is a problem of extreme importance and an object of close attention of specialists in all countries of the world.

All measures for the protection of atmospheric air should be carried out in a comprehensive manner in several areas:

Legislative measures. These are laws adopted by the government of the country aimed at protecting the air environment;

Rational placement of industrial and residential areas;

Technological measures aimed at reducing air emissions;

Sanitary and technical measures;

Development of hygienic standards for atmospheric air;

Control over the purity of atmospheric air;

Control over the work of industrial enterprises;

Improvement of populated areas, landscaping, watering, creation of protective gaps between industrial enterprises and residential complexes.

In addition to the listed measures of the domestic plan, at present, interstate Programs for the protection of atmospheric air are being developed and widely implemented.

The problem of air basin protection is being solved in a number of international organizations - WHO, UN, UNESCO and others.

The chemical composition of the air is of great hygienic importance, since it plays a decisive role in the implementation of the respiratory function of the body. Atmospheric air is a mixture of oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon and other gases in the ratios given in table. 1.

Oxygen (О 2) is the most important component of air for humans. At rest, a person usually absorbs an average of 0.3 liters of oxygen per minute.

During physical activity, oxygen consumption increases sharply and can reach 4.5 / 5 liters or more in 1 minute. Oxygen content fluctuations in atmospheric air are small and do not exceed, as a rule, 0.5%.

In residential, public and sports premises, significant changes in the oxygen content are not observed, since the outside air penetrates into them. Under the most unfavorable hygienic conditions in the room, a 1% decrease in oxygen content was noted. Such fluctuations do not have a noticeable effect on the body.

Usually, physiological changes are observed when the oxygen content decreases to 16-17%. If its content decreases to 11 -13% (when climbing to a height), a pronounced oxygen deficiency appears, a sharp deterioration in well-being and a decrease in working capacity. Oxygen content up to 7-8% can be fatal.

In sports practice, oxygen inhalation is used in order to increase efficiency and the intensity of recovery processes.

Carbon dioxide (CO 2), or carbon dioxide, is a colorless, odorless gas formed during the respiration of people and animals, rotting and decomposition of organic substances, fuel combustion, etc. In the atmospheric air outside settlements, the carbon dioxide content is on average 0.04%, and in industrial centers its concentration rises to 0.05-0.06%. In residential and public buildings, when a large number of people are in them, the carbon dioxide content can increase to 0.6-0.8%. Under the worst hygienic conditions in a room (large crowds, poor ventilation, etc.), its concentration usually does not exceed 1% due to the penetration of outside air. Such concentrations do not cause negative effects in the body.

With prolonged inhalation of air with a content of 1 - 1.5% of carbon dioxide, a deterioration in well-being is noted, and with 2-2.5%, pathological changes are detected. Significant dysfunctions of the body and decreased performance occur when the carbon dioxide content is 4-5%. With a content of 8-10%, loss of consciousness and death occurs. A significant increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the air can occur in emergency situations in confined spaces (mines, mines, submarines, bomb shelters, etc.) or in those places where intensive decomposition of organic substances occurs.

Determination of the carbon dioxide content in residential, public and sports facilities can serve as an indirect indicator of air pollution by human waste products. As already noted, carbon dioxide itself in these cases does not harm the body, however, along with an increase in its content, a deterioration in the physical and chemical properties of the air is observed (the temperature and humidity increase, the ionic composition is disturbed, and foul-smelling gases appear). Indoor air is considered poor quality if the carbon dioxide content in it exceeds 0.1%. This value is taken as calculated in the design and installation of ventilation in the premises.

We take about 20 thousand breaths every day. It is enough to stop the flow of oxygen into the blood for 7–8 minutes for irreversible changes to occur in the cerebral cortex. Air supports many biochemical reactions in our body. And our health largely depends on its quality.

text: Tatiana Gaverdovskaya

We take about 20 thousand breaths every day. It is enough to stop the flow of oxygen into the blood for 7-8 minutes so that irreversible changes occur in the cerebral cortex. Air supports many biochemical reactions in our body. And our health largely depends on its quality.

Atmospheric air at the Earth's surface normally consists of nitrogen (78.09%), oxygen (20.95%), carbon dioxide (0.03-0.04%). The rest of the gases together occupy less than 1% by volume, these include argon, xenon, neon, helium, hydrogen, radon and others. However, emissions from industrial plants and vehicles violate this ratio of components. In Moscow alone, from 1 to 1.2 million tons of harmful chemicals are released into the air per year, that is, 100-150 kg for each of the 12 million residents of Moscow. It is worth considering what we breathe and what can help us resist this "gas attack".

Shortest way

Human lungs have a surface area of ​​up to 100 m2, which is 50 times the area of ​​skin. In them, the air is in direct contact with blood, in which almost all the substances entering into it dissolve. From the lungs, bypassing the detoxifying organ - the liver, they act on the body 80-100 times stronger than through the gastrointestinal tract when swallowed.

The air we breathe is polluted by about 280 toxic compounds. These are salts of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn), nitrogen and carbon oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, etc. In calm weather, all these harmful compounds settle and create a dense layer near the ground - smog. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays during a hot period, harmful gas mixtures are converted into more harmful substances - photooxidants. Every day a person breathes in up to 20 thousand liters of air. And in a month in a large city, he can gain a toxic dose. As a result, immunity decreases, respiratory and neurological diseases occur. Children especially suffer from this.

Taking action

1. Tea made from calendula, chamomile, sea buckthorn and rose hips will help protect the body from the penetration of heavy metals into cells.

2. For the removal of toxic substances, some plants are successfully used, for example, coriander (cilantro). According to experts, you need to eat at least 5 g of this plant per day (about 1 tsp).

3. Garlic, sesame seeds, ginseng and many other plant products also have the ability to bind and remove heavy metals. Apple juice is also effective, in which there are many pectins - natural adsorbents.

City without oxygen

The inhabitants of the metropolis are constantly experiencing a lack of oxygen due to industrial emissions and pollution. So, when burning 1 kg of coal or firewood, more than 2 kg of oxygen is consumed. One car absorbs as much oxygen in 2 hours of operation as a tree gives off in 2 years.

The concentration of oxygen in the air is often only 15-18%, while the norm is about 20%. At first glance, this is a small difference - only 3-5%, but for our body it is quite noticeable. The oxygen level in the air of 10% and below is fatal to humans. Unfortunately, a sufficient amount of oxygen in natural conditions is only in city parks (20.8%), country forests (21.6%) and on the shores of seas and oceans (21.9%). The situation is aggravated by the fact that every 10 years the area of ​​the lungs decreases by 5%.

Oxygen increases mental capacity, the body's resistance to stress, stimulates the coordinated work of internal organs, increases immunity, promotes weight loss, and normalizes sleep. Scientists have calculated that if there was 2 times more oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, then we could run hundreds of kilometers without getting tired.

Oxygen makes up 90% of the mass of a water molecule. The body also contains 65-75% water. The brain makes up 2% of the total body weight and consumes 20% of the oxygen entering the body. Without oxygen, cells do not grow and die.

Taking action

1. To adequately saturate the body with oxygen, it is necessary to walk in the forest for at least one hour every day. In one year, a typical tree produces the amount of oxygen needed for a family of 4 during the same period.

2. To replenish the oxygen deficiency in the body, doctors recommend drinking salted and mineral alkaline water, lactic acid drinks (skim milk, milk whey), juices.

3. Oxygen cocktails help to get rid of hypoxia. In terms of its effect on the body, a small portion of the cocktail is equivalent to a full-fledged walk in the forest.

4. Oxygen therapy is a method of treatment based on breathing a gas mixture with an increased (in relation to the oxygen content in the air) oxygen concentration.

Home trap

According to WHO experts, a city dweller spends about 80% of his time indoors. Scientists have found that the air in rooms is 4-6 times dirtier than outside and 8-10 times more toxic. These are formaldehyde and phenol from furniture, some types of synthetic fabrics, carpets, harmful substances from building materials (for example, carbomide from cement can release ammonia), dust, pet hair, etc. At the same time, oxygen in urban areas is significant. less, which leads to the occurrence of oxygen deficiency in humans (hypoxia).

A gas stove can also negatively affect the atmosphere in your home. The air of gasified buildings in comparison with the outside air contains 2.5 times more harmful nitrogen oxides, 50 times more sulfur-containing substances, phenol - by 30-40%, carbon oxides - by 50-60%.

But the main scourge of the premises is carbon dioxide, the main source of which is man. We exhale 18 to 25 liters of this gas per hour. Recent studies by foreign scientists have shown that carbon dioxide negatively affects the human body even in low concentrations. In residential premises, carbon dioxide should not be more than 0.1%. In a room with a carbon dioxide concentration of 3-4%, a person suffocates, headaches, tinnitus appear, and the pulse slows down. Nevertheless, in a small amount (0.03-0.04%), carbon dioxide is required to maintain physiological processes.

Taking action

1. It is very important that the air in the room is "light", that is, ionized. With a decrease in the number of air ions, oxygen is less absorbed by blood erythrocytes, hypoxia is possible. The air of cities contains only 50-100 light ions in 1 cm³, and heavy (uncharged) ions - tens of thousands. In the mountains, the highest air ionization is 800-1000 in 1 cm³ and more.

2. According to a study by the US Space Agency, some houseplants act as effective biofilters. Chlorophytum and nephrolepis fern help in the fight against formaldehydes. Xylene and toluene, which are released, for example, by varnishes, neutralize Benjamin's ficus. Azalea can handle ammonia compounds. They emit a lot of oxygen and absorb harmful substances of sansevier, philodendron, ivy, dieffenbachia.

3. Do not forget about regular ventilation. This is especially important in the bedroom, where people spend a third of their lives.

Dangers on the road

Motor transport supplies the lion's share of air pollutants: for Moscow - about 93%, for St. Petersburg - 71%. There are almost 4 million cars in Moscow, and their number is growing every year. By 2015, experts believe, Moscow's car fleet will amount to more than 5 million vehicles. An average passenger car burns as much oxygen per month as 1 hectare of forest emits per year, while annually emitting about 800 kg of carbon monoxide, about 40 kg of nitrogen oxides and about 200 kg of various hydrocarbons.

Carbon monoxide is the most serious hazard to those who frequently use cars. It binds 200 times faster to blood hemoglobin than oxygen. Experiments in the United States have shown that people who spend a lot of time driving are impaired by the effects of carbon monoxide. At a carbon monoxide concentration of 6 mg / m3, the color and light sensitivity of the eyes decreases within 20 minutes. Exposure to large amounts of carbon monoxide can cause fainting, coma, and even death.

Taking action

1. Lactic enzymes and acids remove the decay products of carbon monoxide. With normal tolerance, you can drink up to a liter of milk per day.

2. To neutralize the effect of carbon monoxide, it is recommended to eat as many fruits as possible: green apples, grapefruits, as well as honey and walnuts.

Kind with healthy

German scientists have found that sexual arousal activates the cardiovascular system and increases blood flow. As a result, tissues are better oxygenated and the risk of heart attack or stroke is reduced by 50%.

What the subway breathes

Scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have concluded that more than 5,000 Swedes die every year from the inhalation of microscopic particles of coal, asphalt, iron and other pollutants in the air of the Stockholm metro. These particles have a stronger destructive effect on human DNA than particles contained in car exhaust and formed as a result of burning wood fuel.

The sky over Moscow

According to Roshydromet's observations, in 2011 the degree of air pollution in the cities of the Moscow region was assessed as: very high - in Moscow, high - in Serpukhov, increased - in Voskresensk, Klin, Kolomna, Mytishchi, Podolsk and Elektrostal, low - in Dzerzhinsky, Shchelkovo and Prioksko-Terrasny biosphere reserve.