EXERCISE & AIR POLLUTION
Exercising while breathing polluted air not only decreases performance -- it may be hazardous to your health. Polluted air can take either of two forms: it can be polluted by chemicals in the general environment around you, or it can be polluted by tobacco smoke as you inhale it into your lungs.
TOBACCO SMOKE
Tobacco smoke contains up to 4 per cent by volume of carbon monoxide, which greatly reduces the blood's capacity to transport oxygen efficiently to all cells in the body. It may take 24 hours for the blood to return to its normal oxygen-carrying capacity after inhaling the smoke of one cigarette. In addition, smoking tobacco increases airway resistance, preventing the inhaled oxygen from reaching the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) where oxygen filters into the bloodstream. These effects have a profound effect on athletic performance. An athlete cannot reach peak fitness levels and smoke cigarettes.
ENVIRONMENTAL AIR POLLUTION
Environmental air pollutants can have similar--if not so dramatic -- effects on an athlete. However, breathing polluted air may be somewhat inescapable in some urban areas. Environmental pollutants include hydrocarbons, oxidants, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, peroxyacetyl nitrates and others. Any or all of these can cause bronchial irritation, excessive mucus production, decreased efficiency of the bronchial cilia (hairlike structures) that move and filter mucus, and decreased resistance to respiratory-tract infections. Exercising in highly polluted areas, such as along expressways, may adversely affect performance and health. When you exercise, try to find the cleanest air possible.
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