Air Pollution's Impact: A State's Health And Economy Suffer

Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to public health and the environment. It refers to the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, which can have detrimental effects on human well-being and the planet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths annually worldwide, with 99% of people breathing air that exceeds the recommended guideline limits for pollutants. The impact of air pollution extends beyond mortality, as it also contributes to respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and other adverse health outcomes. Moreover, air pollution knows no boundaries and can affect individuals regardless of their location or background.

In the United States, the Clean Air Act, established in 1970, plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health by regulating harmful air pollutant emissions. Despite progress in improving air quality, air pollution remains a persistent challenge, and it is essential to explore how it affects the state in terms of public health, the environment, and the economy.

How does air pollution affect the health of those in poverty?

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of health complications and mortality worldwide, with outdoor pollutants causing over 4 million deaths each year, and indoor air pollution causing 2.3 million. It also impacts productivity, exacerbates inequalities, and reduces cognitive abilities.

The burden of air pollution is not evenly shared. Those in poverty are among those who often face higher exposure to pollutants and may experience greater health risks. This is due to a variety of factors, including:

• Living near major sources of pollution, such as industrial plants, transport corridors, and rubbish dumps.
• Working in low-paying jobs that require physical outdoor labor, leading to heightened exposure.
• Lack of access to affordable and adequate healthcare, which increases mortality rates.
• Living in areas with less stringent air quality regulations, older polluting machinery and vehicles, and congested transport systems.

In the United States, for example, ethnic minorities and low-income populations are often exposed to higher levels of pollution, and these disparities have increased over time. Globally, 716 million of the world's lowest-income people live in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution, with Sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected region.

Additionally, air pollution reinforces socioeconomic inequalities. As pollution increases in an area, housing prices tend to go down, which reinforces the low-income status of neighborhoods.

Several measures can be taken to reduce the impact of air pollution on those in poverty, including:

• Implementing clean technologies and fuels.
• Improving access to affordable and adequate healthcare in affected areas.
• Mandating transparent accounting for environmental and health externalities in planning decisions to steer pollution sources away from low-income communities.
• Removing incentives that perpetuate the over-consumption of polluting fuels, such as fossil fuel subsidies.

How does air pollution affect the health of ethnic minorities?

Air pollution has a detrimental impact on the health of ethnic minorities, who are exposed to higher levels of dangerous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) than other groups. This disparity holds across income levels and regions, with people of colour experiencing greater exposure from source types that cause the majority of overall exposure. The burden of air pollution is not evenly shared, with poorer people and some racial and ethnic groups facing higher exposure to pollutants and greater health risks.

Research has shown that certain racial and ethnic minority groups in the US, including Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Latinos, and low-income populations, are exposed to higher levels of air pollution. This disparity is not solely due to income levels, as race/ethnicity has been found to be an independent factor. The sources of these disparities are widespread across emission sectors and spatial scales.

The health effects of air pollution on ethnic minorities include respiratory problems, such as lower lung function and higher rates of asthma, as well as increased risk of premature death. For example, studies have found that Hispanics and Asians, and especially Blacks, had a higher risk of premature death from particle pollution than Whites. This increased risk was not driven by income, as higher-income Blacks still faced a greater risk than lower-income Whites.

Additionally, psychosocial stress, such as that caused by experiences of racism, can amplify the harmful effects of air pollution on health. Experiencing racism has been positively associated with asthma, and the risk of asthma associated with PM2.5 and PM10 was exacerbated for adolescents who reported experiencing racism.

The reasons for these disparities are complex and multifaceted. One factor is residential segregation, which has resulted in ethnic minorities living in areas with greater exposure to air pollution. Additionally, groups may face greater exposure due to factors such as racism, class bias, housing market dynamics, and land costs. Pollution sources tend to be located near disadvantaged communities, further increasing exposure to harmful pollutants.

Furthermore, low social position may make some groups more susceptible to health threats due to factors such as lack of access to healthcare, poorer job opportunities, and dirtier workplaces. Existing health conditions, behaviours, or traits may also predispose some groups to greater risk. For example, people of colour are among the groups most at risk from air pollutants, and certain ethnic groups have a higher incidence of diabetes.

To address these disparities, strong, targeted air pollution reduction strategies are needed to reduce overall pollution levels and provide equal protection from environmental hazards for all people. Additionally, interventions aiming to eliminate discrimination may have benefits for a wider range of health problems.

How does air pollution affect the health of the elderly?

Air pollution can have a detrimental impact on the health of the elderly, particularly when it comes to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. As people age, their bodies become less capable of compensating for the effects of environmental hazards, and air pollution can aggravate pre-existing conditions.

Respiratory Issues

Air pollution can cause respiratory issues in the elderly, especially those with underlying conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, or weakened lungs. Fine particle pollution, particularly PM2.5, has been linked to an increased risk of asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, and even premature death.

Cardiovascular Issues

Air pollution can also negatively impact the cardiovascular health of older adults. It can aggravate heart disease and increase the risk of heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, and stroke. Long-term exposure to low levels of air pollution, even below national standards, has been associated with an increased risk of several serious cardiac conditions.

Other Health Issues

In addition to respiratory and cardiovascular issues, air pollution can also cause or exacerbate other health problems in the elderly. These include:

• ENT infections and discomfort: Low humidity conditions caused by air pollution can lead to skin and eye irritability, sore throat, and breathing difficulties.
• Mental health issues: Air pollution may reduce cognitive ability and increase the risk of strokes and lung cancer.
• Weather-related viral infections: Elders are more susceptible to viral infections due to their weakened immune systems.

Mitigating the Effects of Air Pollution

To reduce the impact of air pollution on the health of the elderly, it is important to improve indoor air quality and limit exposure to outdoor pollution. Some measures that can be taken include:

• Installing air purifiers to reduce indoor air pollution.
• Avoiding passive smoking, as it can directly impact lung health.
• Using air-purifying plants, such as aloe vera and spider plants, to naturally purify the air.
• Consuming jaggery to help detoxify the lungs.
• Wearing N95/99 masks to filter the air when outdoors.
• Ensuring proper ventilation in homes to promote airflow and reduce the concentration of pollutants.

How does air pollution affect the environment?

Air pollution has a detrimental impact on the environment, affecting natural ecosystems, wildlife, agriculture, and the climate. It is caused by the release of pollutants into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, which include coal, natural gas, and oil. These pollutants can take the form of gases, solid particles, or liquid droplets.

One of the significant ways air pollution affects the environment is by contributing to acid rain. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles from power plants and motor vehicles burning fossil fuels mix with water and oxygen in the atmosphere, they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which fall back to Earth as acid rain. Acid rain damages plants by changing soil composition, degrades water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams, and harms crops. It also contributes to the decay of buildings and monuments.

Air pollution also directly contaminates the surfaces of water bodies and soil, impacting aquatic ecosystems and agriculture. It can damage or reduce crop yields and harm young trees and other plants. Additionally, some pollutants, like sulfur dioxide, break down stone and other materials, causing structural damage.

The release of atmospheric nitrogen can reduce the biodiversity of plant communities and harm fish and other aquatic life. Ozone, a pollutant formed from fossil fuel emissions, damages tree leaves and negatively affects protected natural areas. Mercury and other heavy metal compounds emitted as exhaust from fuel combustion can accumulate in plants and animals, which may eventually be consumed by people, leading to health issues.

Air pollution also affects wildlife, causing respiratory issues, neurological problems, and skin irritations. It can disrupt the balance of species within an ecosystem, particularly in grasslands and other fragile environments.

Furthermore, air pollution reduces visibility and blocks sunlight, impacting weather patterns and climate change. Particulate matter and greenhouse gas pollution, caused by human activities, are major contributors to global warming. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures, sea levels, and more extreme weather conditions.

How does air pollution affect the economy?

Air pollution has a detrimental impact on economies, affecting both businesses and individuals. Research has shown that air pollution can lead to a decrease in labour productivity, with one study finding that even moderate levels of pollution reduce the working hours of adults. This can be due to sickness, the need to care for children or the elderly, or the simple inability to work due to poor health. For example, in 2019, reduced productivity, work absences, and premature deaths caused by air pollution cost the Indian economy an estimated $95 billion, or 3% of the country's GDP.

Air pollution can also cause higher rates of asthma, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, which can result in reduced labour force participation. In addition, children with asthma may miss school, impacting their learning, while their guardians may need to take time off work to care for them. According to a Greenpeace report, in 2018, disability from chronic diseases cost the world's economy $200 billion, with sick leave and preterm births costing $100 billion and $90 billion respectively.

The costs of healthcare associated with air pollution can also be significant. For example, the economic cost of premature death and disability from air pollution in Europe was estimated to be close to USD 1.6 trillion in 2015. Air pollution can also affect vital products like food, with global crop yield losses of 3-16%. It can also damage cultural and historical monuments, requiring remediation or restoration.

Furthermore, air pollution can impact talent recruitment, as cities with severe air pollution are viewed as less desirable places to work. Some companies have even offered hardship-posting compensation for employees relocating to cities with dangerous air pollution levels.

The financial costs of air pollution will only increase the longer it takes to address this critical sustainability issue. However, taking action to improve air quality can boost economic growth. For example, since 2014, air pollution reduction has boosted the EU economy by €50-60 billion each year.

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