Pollution's Impact On The United States' Environment And Health

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with over one-third of its residents living in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution. It poses significant risks to public health and the environment, causing harmful effects such as respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and even contributing to climate change. The Clean Air Act, established in 1970, has played a crucial role in reducing air pollution and safeguarding public health. However, certain populations, including children, the elderly, and people from low-income communities, remain especially vulnerable to the detrimental impacts of air pollution.

Air pollution increases the risk of heart and respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and strokes

Air pollution has been linked to a higher risk of heart and respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and strokes. The evidence is particularly strong for outdoor particle pollution exposure. Fine particulate matter (particulate matter with diameters less than 2.5 µm or PM2.5) can increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Research has found that exposure to increased concentrations of PM2.5 over a few hours to weeks can trigger cardiovascular disease-related heart attacks and death. Longer-term exposure can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and decreased life expectancy.

PM2.5 is made up of tiny particles of chemicals, soil, smoke, dust, or allergens that are carried in the air. The sources of PM2.5 are cars and trucks, factories, power plants, incinerators, and engines, generally anything that combusts fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, or natural gas. The tiniest airborne particles in PM2.5 are especially dangerous because they can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream and worsen bronchitis, lead to heart attacks, and even hasten death.

In addition, air pollution has been linked to lung cancer, particularly in people who have never smoked. A study of nearly half a million people living in England, South Korea, and Taiwan found that exposure to increasing concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM) 2.5 micrometres (μm) in diameter was linked to an increased risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. These mutations alone only weakly potentiated cancer in laboratory models. However, when lung cells with these mutations were exposed to air pollutants, more cancers occurred, and they occurred more quickly.

Air pollution is now recognised as a major public health issue and is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, contributing to millions of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually. It is also one of the top five risk factors for mortality in emerging economies such as India and China. In the United States, more than one in three residents live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution. People of colour are 61% more likely than white people to live in a county with a failing grade in at least one pollution category and are three times more likely to live in a county that fails in all three.

Pollutants in the air are causing long-term environmental damage by driving climate change

The effects of climate change on air quality will continue to vary by region, but in many areas of the United States, climate change is expected to worsen ground-level ozone, increase exposure to allergens like pollen, and contribute to worsening air quality.

Increased Ozone Levels

The 10 warmest years on record have occurred within the past decade (2014-2023), with record highs across the globe in 2023. Hot, sunny days can increase the amount of ozone at ground level, which is a harmful pollutant that causes respiratory issues and damages vegetation and crops. Ground-level ozone is also a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Increased Particulate Matter

Particulate matter, such as windblown dust from droughts, can be increased by climate change and contribute to air quality issues. For example, the U.S. Southwest experienced a severe long-term drought in 2021, which led to increased dust and particulate matter in the air.

Wildfires

Climate change has led to more frequent and severe wildfires, which release smoke that pollutes the air and spreads for hundreds of miles. Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter and can cause respiratory issues, trigger asthma attacks, and worsen bronchitis. It can also lead to premature births and increase the risk of respiratory diseases.

Airborne Allergens

Climate change is expected to cause longer and warmer springs and summers, leading to increased pollen and other airborne allergens. This can result in more allergy-related illnesses, such as asthma and hay fever.

Impact on Vegetation and Crops

In addition to the direct health effects of air pollution, it also impacts vegetation and crops. For example, plants absorb ground-level ozone, which reduces their photosynthesis, slows their growth, and increases their sensitivity to diseases.

Social and Economic Impacts

The effects of air pollution are not evenly distributed, with poorer people and some racial and ethnic groups facing higher exposure to pollutants and greater health risks. Additionally, certain population groups, such as Black and African Americans, are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air pollution and are projected to experience higher increases in childhood asthma due to climate-related changes.

Overall, the pollutants in the air are driving climate change and causing long-term environmental damage in the United States, impacting both the natural environment and human health.

People of colour are more likely to live in counties with higher levels of pollution

The American Lung Association (ALA) found that people of colour are 61% more likely than white people to live in a county with a failing grade in at least one of three major pollution categories: ozone, year-round particle pollution, and short-term particle pollution. Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to live in counties with worse problems with particle pollution and worse ozone pollution.

The EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions found that people of colour breathe more particulate air pollution on average, regardless of income level or region. They are exposed to greater than average concentrations from source types causing 75% of overall exposure to air pollution. This disparity generally holds across states and urban and rural areas.

The impacts of air pollution on the health of people of colour are significant. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can cause lung and heart problems, especially for those with chronic diseases, younger people, older people, and other vulnerable populations. People of colour are among the groups most at risk from air pollutants, and they have a higher incidence of diabetes.

The burden of air pollution is not evenly shared, and poorer people and some racial and ethnic groups face higher exposure to pollutants and greater health risks. This is due in part to discriminatory policies and social, political, and economic inequalities that have historically disadvantaged communities of colour.

Poorer people are more likely to face higher exposure to pollutants

Firstly, polluting facilities such as power plants and factories tend to be located in low-income neighbourhoods. This is because decision-makers know that these communities are unlikely to have the resources or political power to oppose them. Additionally, low-income neighbourhoods often have cheaper land and labour costs, making them more attractive to industries. As a result, counties with higher poverty rates tend to have worse air quality.

Secondly, there is often a lack of emissions regulations and enforcement in low-income areas, allowing industries to continue emitting unhealthy levels of pollution without repercussions. This is partly due to the Clean Air Act, which does not always require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor or report toxic air pollutants. As a result, residents, who are mostly of low socioeconomic status, often lack information about local pollution levels.

Lastly, large emitters, such as fossil fuel companies, have greater lobbying and political power than low-income households. This allows them to influence environmental regulations in their favour and further contributes to the disproportionate exposure of low-income individuals to air pollution.

The negative consequences of this overexposure to air pollution for low-income individuals include physical and mental health issues, as well as impaired cognitive function. Studies have shown that air pollution is linked to respiratory diseases, heart disease, adverse birth outcomes, and an increased risk of premature death. Additionally, air pollution can cause inflammation of the brain, leading to learning and memory disorders.

Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are especially susceptible to air pollution

Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to the effects of air pollution. Their bodies are less able to compensate for the effects of environmental hazards, and they are more likely to suffer from respiratory issues and other health problems as a result of exposure to polluted air.

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their airways are smaller and still developing. They also breathe more rapidly than adults, taking in more polluted air. Inhaling high levels of air pollution over an extended period can put children at risk of developing asthma, having lungs that do not function as well as they age, and even lung cancer later in life.

For pregnant women, exposure to air pollution can affect the development of the baby's lungs in the womb and increase the likelihood of premature birth and low birth weight. Studies have also shown a correlation between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and small gestational age.

The elderly population is also at risk, as air pollution can aggravate existing health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and diabetes. Fine particle pollution, in particular, has been linked to premature death, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, and the development of chronic bronchitis in older adults.

Overall, air pollution poses significant health risks to these vulnerable groups, and it is important to take steps to reduce their exposure and protect their health.

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