Final answer:
This high school level health question addresses the serious health effects of pollutants and cigarette smoke, including increased risks of asthma, lung diseases, infections like pneumonia, and premature mortality due to the disruption of lung function and immunity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the harmful effects of exposure to certain pollutants, including cigarette smoke, on human health, particularly the respiratory system. Short-term exposures to such toxins can aggravate heart or lung diseases, leading to increased medication use, hospital admissions, and emergency department (ED) visits. Long-term exposure is even more dangerous, contributing to the development of heart or lung diseases and potentially resulting in premature death. Cigarette smoke contains harmful compounds, such as carbon monoxide and cyanide, that can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by reducing the elasticity of alveoli. Moreover, smokers are at a higher risk of developing infections like pneumonia because tobacco smoke impairs the lungs' immune defenses.
Overall, various respiratory symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and aggravation of asthma are associated with exposure. These effects significantly decrease the quality of life and raise susceptibility to respiratory infections. The protective mechanism of the lungs, such as the mucociliary escalator effect, is disrupted, allowing pathogens to colonize the lungs and cause further harm.