Meghan Hodges
Air pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity. It is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Human-made sources include vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, coal-fueled power plants, and fumes from chemical production. Natural sources include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils. Climate change, caused in part by air pollution, increases the production of allergenic air pollutants, including mold and pollen. Air pollution has severe health impacts, including coughing, itchy eyes, and causing or worsening breathing and lung diseases, leading to hospitalizations, cancer, or even premature death. It also affects the planet, contributing to environmental damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of air pollution | 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants |
| Air pollution sources | Human-made sources include vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, and fumes from chemical production. Natural sources include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils. |
| Health risks | Air pollution is responsible for more than 6.5 million deaths each year globally, with long-term effects including heart disease, lung cancer, respiratory disease, and damage to nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. It can also worsen conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. |
| Vulnerable populations | Young children, older adults, and people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. People with annual incomes below $70,000 experience higher levels of air pollution, and women and children in low- to middle-income countries are more vulnerable to the effects of indoor air pollution due to limited access to clean fuels. |
| Indoor air pollution | Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, with concentrations of some pollutants 2-5 times higher. Common indoor air pollutants include radon, smoke, lead dust, carbon monoxide, mold, and volatile organic compounds. |
| Policy interventions | The WHO promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies, including energy, transport, housing, and urban development. The Clean Air Act in the US has helped phase out lead in motor vehicle gasoline and implement emissions standards for new vehicles. |
What You'll Learn
Indoor air pollution
Air pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity. It is responsible for more than 6.5 million deaths each year globally, a number that has increased over the past two decades. While outdoor air pollution is a familiar environmental hazard, indoor air pollution is also a significant issue, causing 3 million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization.
Inadequate ventilation can exacerbate indoor air pollution by not adequately diluting emissions from indoor sources and removing indoor air pollutants. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase certain pollutant concentrations. The exchange rate of outdoor air replacing indoor air, known as the air exchange rate, is crucial. When this rate is low due to limited infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical ventilation, pollutant levels can rise.
The effects of indoor air pollution on human health are varied and depend on factors such as the type of pollutant, length and level of exposure, and individual health risks. Some immediate symptoms may resemble those of a cold or viral infection, making it challenging to attribute them solely to indoor air pollution. However, by paying attention to the time and place symptoms occur, one can identify possible indoor air sources. Long-term effects of indoor air pollution can include respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
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Outdoor air pollution
The effects of outdoor air pollution on human health are significant. It is a risk factor for several leading causes of death, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as asthma. The WHO estimates that in 2019, about 68% of outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths were due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke, 14% were due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14% to acute lower respiratory infections, and 4% to lung cancer.
The impact of outdoor air pollution extends beyond human health. It can contribute to acidic deposition, commonly known as acid rain, impair visibility, damage crops and surfaces of buildings and monuments, and deplete the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. Climate change also exacerbates the problem by increasing the production of allergenic air pollutants, such as mold and pollen, and creating conditions that lead to more frequent and intense wildfires, which further pollute the air.
Addressing outdoor air pollution is crucial for protecting public health and the environment. Implementing policies and investments that support sustainable land use, cleaner household energy, efficient transportation, energy-efficient housing, improved power generation, and better waste management can effectively reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution.
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Human-made air pollution
Human activity is a major contributor to air pollution, which poses a significant threat to global health and prosperity. The burning of fossil fuels for transportation, electricity, and industry is a primary source of human-made air pollution. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, and natural gas used for heating homes, as well as by-products of manufacturing and power generation, are the primary sources of this type of pollution.
Vehicles, power plants, industrial boilers, and refineries emit pollutants that react with sunlight to form ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog. Smog is a toxic mixture of ozone, particulate matter, and other chemicals that can cause respiratory and other health issues. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is of particular concern as it can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and contribute to serious health problems, including respiratory diseases and lung damage.
Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulates are common pollutants produced by engines that burn fossil fuels. In addition, stoves, incinerators, and open burning produce carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that can have detrimental effects on human health.
Another significant source of human-made air pollution is the use of chemicals that do not naturally occur in the atmosphere, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are used as refrigerants. These substances have been linked to environmental issues, including the depletion of the ozone layer.
The effects of human-made air pollution on human health are far-reaching. Research has linked air pollution to an increased risk of short-term respiratory infections, asthma, cardiac problems, and various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Living near major roadways or busy roads has been associated with a higher risk of developing respiratory issues and even certain types of cancer.
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Natural air pollution
Air pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity. It is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. While human-made sources are the primary contributors to air pollution, natural sources also play a significant role in releasing hazardous substances into the atmosphere.
Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and gases emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils, such as methane. Wildfires, often caused by people, release smoke and particulate matter into the air, which can pollute the air for hundreds of miles downwind. Volcanic eruptions emit ash and gases, such as sulfur dioxide, which can have severe health and environmental impacts. Decomposing organic matter in soils produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and other gases that contribute to air pollution.
The effects of natural air pollution on human health can be severe and vary depending on the type of pollutant, the length and level of exposure, and individual health risks. Short-term respiratory infections, asthma, bronchitis, and lung damage are commonly associated with exposure to natural air pollutants. Additionally, natural air pollution can have long-term impacts, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders.
Climate change also influences the production of natural air pollutants. For example, extreme weather conditions and increased flooding create damp environments conducive to the growth of mold, an allergenic air pollutant. Longer pollen seasons due to climate change result in prolonged exposure to pollen, affecting individuals with allergies and respiratory conditions.
While natural sources contribute to air pollution, it is important to recognize that human-made sources, such as vehicle emissions, fuel oils, industrial processes, and power generation, remain the predominant drivers of air pollution globally.
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Health effects of air pollution
Air pollution is a major threat to global health, causing more than 6.5 million deaths per year. It is a mix of hazardous substances from human-made and natural sources. The primary human-made sources are vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas for heating, manufacturing by-products, power generation, and chemical production. Natural sources include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and methane from decomposing organic matter in soils.
The health effects of air pollution depend on the types, sources, and concentrations of pollutants in the air, as well as individual health risks and the cumulative impact of multiple pollutants. Pollutants enter the body through the respiratory tract, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs.
Short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. Higher air pollution levels increase short-term respiratory infections, leading to more school absences among children. Children who play outdoor sports and live in high-ozone communities are more likely to develop asthma. Children exposed to high levels of air pollutants are also more likely to develop bronchitis symptoms in adulthood.
Long-term or chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases the risk of diseases with a longer onset, such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. It can also contribute to bone damage, particularly in postmenopausal women. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small gestational age births.
Additionally, air pollution is linked to diabetes mellitus, obesity, and reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders. Exposure to benzene, an industrial chemical found in gasoline, can cause leukemia and is associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Indoor air pollution, often more concentrated than outdoor pollution, can also have significant health effects. Common indoor air pollutants include radon, smoke, lead dust, carbon monoxide, mold, and volatile organic compounds. Biological pollutants, such as mold, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and cockroaches, may trigger breathing problems, allergic symptoms, or asthma attacks.
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Frequently asked questions
The primary sources of human-made air pollution are vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas used for heating, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, and fumes from chemical production. Natural sources of air pollution include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.
Air pollution can cause a variety of health issues, including coughing, itchy eyes, and respiratory and lung diseases. It can also worsen existing conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. It can also cause nervous system disorders, brain damage, and damage to other organs.
Air pollution can damage buildings and harm animals and plants. It is also a major contributor to climate change, as many of the drivers of air pollution, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, are sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Policies and interventions that support sustainable land use, cleaner energy and transport, energy-efficient housing, and better waste management can help reduce air pollution. Individuals can also take steps to reduce their contribution to air pollution, such as reducing vehicle emissions, using cleaner sources of energy for heating, and limiting the use of chemicals.
