Air Pollution: Damaging Our Lungs, Hurting Our Health

Air pollution is a serious environmental and health problem that affects people of all ages, from unborn babies to the elderly. It is caused by the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, and smoke, which can have detrimental effects on the lungs. These pollutants are released into the air by vehicles, industrial sites, and the combustion of fossil fuels. When inhaled, these pollutants can irritate the lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and even asthma flare-ups. Prolonged exposure to polluted air increases the risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other respiratory issues. Certain groups, such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing lung conditions, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Therefore, it is crucial to address this issue through policy changes, the adoption of clean energy sources, and the improvement of air quality standards to protect public health and reduce the impact of air pollution on our lungs.

Air pollution and lung cancer

Air pollution is a major cause of lung cancer. Outdoor air pollution causes approximately 1 in 10 cases of lung cancer in the UK, and the number of lung cancer deaths attributable to air pollution has increased by nearly 30% since 2007. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) as carcinogenic to humans, specifically noting the dangers of PM2.5 particles, which are approximately 1/30th the width of a human hair. These particles can reach the breathing sacs in the lungs and may also enter the bloodstream, carrying toxic chemicals linked to cancer.

Particle pollution is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air, which can include acids, organic chemicals, metals, soil, and dust particles. It is caused by vehicle exhaust, coal-fired power plants, industrial sources, burning fuels, wind-blown dust, and ozone. In addition to causing lung cancer, particle pollution increases the risk of early death, heart disease, and asthma attacks, and it can interfere with lung growth and function.

While smoking is a much bigger cause of lung cancer than air pollution, the two factors are synergistic, meaning that air pollution can worsen lung cancer caused by smoking. Furthermore, as smoking rates continue to decline, the proportion of lung cancers in people who have never smoked will continue to increase.

Indoor air pollution, such as second-hand smoke, radon gas, and burning wood or coal for heating or cooking, can also increase the risk of lung cancer. Most exposure to second-hand smoke occurs in the home, and it can cause lung cancer and other health conditions like heart and lung diseases.

Children are more at risk of health effects from air pollution than adults because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, taking in more polluted air. Exposure to pollution as a child increases the risk of developing asthma and COPD as an adult. Older people are also more at risk, especially if they have long-term lung conditions or heart disease.

Children and the elderly are more vulnerable

Children are exposed to higher levels of pollution, especially when walking to school, playing outdoors, or spending time indoors in poorly ventilated areas with poor air quality. UNICEF's Children's Environmental Health Collaborative reports that air pollution was the second leading risk factor for death among children under five in 2021, after malnutrition. It was linked to a total of 709,000 deaths in this age group, with more than 70% of these deaths attributed to household air pollution caused by cooking with polluting fuels.

Furthermore, air pollution increases the risk of certain diseases in children, including lung cancer, heart disease, acute respiratory infections, and asthma. It also negatively impacts their lung function and development, increasing the likelihood of developing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) later in life. Poor and minority children are at an even greater risk due to their proximity to high-density traffic, industrial pollution sources, and substandard housing conditions.

On the other hand, elderly individuals, especially those with pre-existing lung conditions or heart disease, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. High levels of pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), can irritate the lining of their airways, trigger asthma attacks, and worsen COPD symptoms.

Overall, both children and the elderly face heightened risks from air pollution due to their developing or aging bodies, higher pollution exposure, and increased vulnerability to respiratory illnesses. Addressing air pollution through policy changes, clean air initiatives, and renewable energy transitions is crucial to protect these vulnerable populations.

Asthma and other respiratory diseases

Air pollution is a major environmental health problem that affects people in countries across all income levels. It is caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as diesel, gasoline, and coal, and can lead to serious health issues, especially in the lungs and heart.

Children are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution than adults. This is because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, taking in more polluted air. Exposure to air pollution during childhood increases the risk of developing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) later in life. Children from low-income backgrounds are disproportionately affected by air pollution, as they are more likely to live near high-density traffic and industrial sources of particle pollution. They may also have poor indoor air quality due to housing conditions and limited access to medical services.

Ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are major contributors to air pollution and can cause asthma attacks and flare-ups. Nitrogen dioxide is particularly prevalent on busy roads with slow-moving or older, less efficient vehicles, and around industrial sites. High levels of nitrogen dioxide can irritate the lining of airways, causing inflammation. Sulfur dioxide is produced by burning fuels like coal and oil in activities such as domestic heating, refineries, and building sites. It causes coughing, tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing.

Air pollution can also aggravate pre-existing asthma through airway hyper-reactivity and bronchoconstriction, which increase the deposition of particles in the airways. Allergens are a significant factor in the development and exacerbation of asthma, and people with allergic asthma are more susceptible to particle pollution during high-allergen exposure periods.

Transitioning to clean energy sources and electric vehicles can help reduce air pollution and improve respiratory health, especially in communities disproportionately affected by diesel and gasoline emissions.

Air pollution and indoor air quality

Air pollution is a serious environmental and health problem that affects people of all ages, from unborn babies to the elderly. It is especially harmful to those with pre-existing lung conditions. The main pathway of exposure from air pollution is through the respiratory tract, which can irritate the lungs and cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma flare-ups, and chest pain.

There are two main types of air pollution: ambient air pollution (outdoor pollution) and household air pollution (indoor air pollution). Ambient air pollution is caused by the combustion of fossil fuels and is a major problem in both cities and rural areas. It contributes to fine particulate matter in the air, which can result in strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, and acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Outdoor air pollution is particularly harmful to children, who are more at risk than adults because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, taking in more polluted air. Globally, lower respiratory infections are the second leading cause of death for children under five years, with 442,000 children dying prematurely from breathing polluted air every year.

Household air pollution is mainly caused by the use of solid fuels, such as wood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal, dung, and kerosene in open fires and inefficient stoves. This type of pollution is a significant problem in low- and middle-income countries, where it is used daily for cooking, heating, and lighting. Women and children, who typically spend more time indoors, are the most affected by indoor air pollution. Exposure to smoke from cooking fires causes 3.2 million premature deaths each year. Additionally, about 2.6 billion people worldwide are exposed to dangerous levels of household air pollution from using polluting open fires or simple stoves for cooking.

To improve indoor air quality, it is essential to address the sources of household air pollution. This can include transitioning to clean energy sources, such as electric vehicles, wind power, and solar power, instead of using fossil fuels and diesel engines, which are major contributors to outdoor air pollution. Additionally, improving access to medical services and education can help reduce the impact of air pollution on vulnerable communities, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

Diesel pollution and lung health

Air pollution can affect all parts of our bodies, including the lungs, heart, and brain. Diesel exhaust (DE) is a leading contributor to air pollution, particularly in towns and cities, and has severe impacts on lung health. DE contains harmful contaminants, including carbon monoxide, benzene, and sulfur dioxide, which can have both short-term and long-term respiratory consequences.

DE exposure can lead to reduced lung capacity and increased inflammation in the airways. The pollutants can irritate the nose and eyes, causing headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Prolonged exposure to DE is associated with coughing, sputum production, and a decline in lung function. The fine particles in DE can reach the breathing sacs in the lungs and even cross into the bloodstream, potentially carrying toxic chemicals linked to cancer.

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of diesel pollution as their lungs are still developing. Exposure to DE can increase the risk of asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in children. School buses, particularly when idling outside schools, can be a significant source of DE exposure for children. Poor air quality in inner cities, often due to high-density traffic, also puts minority children at higher risk of asthma-related health issues and emergency room visits.

In addition to respiratory issues, DE exposure has been linked to cognitive and developmental delays in children, as well as reproductive, cardiovascular, immunological, and central nervous system impacts. The transportation sector, including motor vehicles and industrial sites, is a major source of diesel pollution, contributing to the growing public health concerns surrounding air quality.

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