Air Quality Alert: Pollutants' Impact And Our Health

Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to human health and the planet. While air may appear clear, it can still contain harmful pollutants such as smog, soot, greenhouse gases, and fine particulate matter. These pollutants can have detrimental effects on respiratory health, causing coughing, itchy eyes, and exacerbating respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. Additionally, air pollution has been linked to more serious health issues, including lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Certain vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and socially disadvantaged communities, are at an increased risk of experiencing the adverse health impacts of air pollution. Climate change further exacerbates the problem, leading to increased ground-level ozone, allergens, and particulate matter, which contribute to worsening air quality and impact both indoor and outdoor environments.

Health risks of air pollution

Air pollution is defined as the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke, or vapour, in quantities and durations that can be harmful to human health. The main pathway of exposure to air pollution is through the respiratory tract, but some pollutants can also enter the bloodstream through the lungs and circulate throughout the body. This can lead to systemic inflammation and a host of adverse health effects.

Air pollution has been linked to a variety of health risks, including respiratory and lung diseases, cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, and cancer. Short-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, asthma, and cardiac problems. Children, in particular, are more susceptible to the health risks of air pollution. They tend to spend more time outdoors, have narrower air passages, and are more likely to have asthma or other respiratory illnesses, which can be aggravated by air pollution. Higher levels of air pollution have also been linked to an increased risk of short-term respiratory infections in children, leading to more school absences.

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5 and NO2, increases the risk of developing various cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. It can also lead to non-communicable diseases like stroke, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Air pollution has also been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including hypertensive disorders, low birth weight, and pre-term birth.

In addition to the direct health impacts, air pollution can also have indirect effects on health. For example, exposure to air pollution can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and allergic symptoms. It can also worsen existing health conditions, such as asthma, leading to an increased number of hospital admissions and emergency department visits.

Overall, the health risks of air pollution are far-reaching and impact people of all ages and backgrounds. It is important for individuals to take steps to limit their exposure to air pollutants and for communities to work towards reducing pollution levels to improve public health.

Sources of air pollution

Mobile sources, such as vehicles, are a significant contributor to air pollution. The combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel releases harmful pollutants into the air, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM). Older diesel engines, in particular, produce significantly more pollution than newer models. Federal regulations have been implemented to improve vehicle emissions by regulating car manufacturing and fuel production, such as removing lead from gasoline and reducing sulfur in diesel fuel.

Stationary sources, like power plants, are another major source of air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, releases harmful chemicals and gases, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Power plants are often located near residential areas, exposing nearby communities to increased health risks, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The retirement of coal-powered plants and the transition to cleaner energy sources have been shown to effectively reduce air pollution and improve public health.

Area sources, while individually small, can collectively have a significant impact on air quality. Residential wood burning, for example, has been increasing over time and contributes to fine particle emissions. Agricultural practices, such as the burning of fields, have been linked to poor air quality and respiratory issues, especially in nearby communities. Traffic and construction equipment also fall under area sources, contributing to air pollution through vehicle emissions and the combustion of fossil fuels.

Natural sources, such as wildfires, wind-blown dust, and volcanic activity, can also contribute to air pollution. While these sources do not usually create ongoing pollution problems, they can have significant short-term impacts. Wildfires, for example, release smoke and particulate matter into the air, affecting nearby communities and causing respiratory issues. Wind can carry air pollutants over short or long distances, impacting areas downwind of pollution sources and contributing to haze and smog formation.

Air pollution and pregnancy

Exposure to air pollution can affect everyone's health. When breathed in, air pollutants can enter the bloodstream, causing coughing or itchy eyes, and can cause or worsen breathing and lung diseases, leading to hospitalizations, cancer, or even premature death.

Pregnant women and their newborn infants are particularly susceptible to the effects of air pollution due to their unique physiology. During pregnancy, physiological changes occur, including increased oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, and cardiac output. These changes increase the amount of inhaled and circulated pollutants, thereby increasing exposure. The fetus is particularly susceptible to environmental contaminants as it is developing at the time of pregnancy and is, therefore, more susceptible to their effects.

Major adverse maternal outcomes linked to air pollution include maternal hypertensive disorders and post-partum depression. In the neonate, maternal exposure to air pollutants has been associated with placental abruption, preterm birth, infant mortality, low birth weight, and adverse lung and respiratory effects. In addition, exposure to air pollution during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth, which are serious morbidities for the mother.

To protect themselves from air pollution, pregnant women can utilize tools like the EPA's air pollution monitor, AirNow, to stay informed about the latest air quality conditions. On poor air quality days, they should stay indoors with the windows closed and consider wearing masks labelled "NIOSH" with either "N95" or "P100" printed on them when going outdoors.

Air pollution and children

Air pollution is a global issue that affects everyone, but children are especially vulnerable. Their growing lungs and brains make them more susceptible to the effects of air pollution, and their still-developing immune systems are weaker than those of adults, making them more vulnerable to infections. Children also breathe faster than adults and take in more air relative to their body weight, often through the mouth, which increases their intake of pollutants. Moreover, because of their height, children breathe in air closer to the ground, where some pollutants reach peak concentrations, especially from traffic exhausts.

Children face special risks from air pollution as their airways are small and still developing. Their increased physical activity and outdoor play also increase their exposure to pollutants. Growing up breathing in high levels of air pollution can affect how their lungs develop, putting them at greater risk of lung disease as they age. Studies have shown that adults exposed to air pollution as children tend to have respiratory problems later in life.

Air pollution is linked to respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma in children. It can also cause low birth weight, reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and allergies. In addition, air pollution can harm children's physical and cognitive development, affecting their school attendance and learning potential.

To reduce the impact of air pollution on children, it is important to monitor air quality and adjust behaviours and exposure levels accordingly. This includes reducing time spent in areas with high pollution, such as near busy roads or industrial areas, and limiting strenuous activity when air pollution levels are high. Improving air quality around schools and other child-centric settings is crucial, as children have little power to protect themselves or influence policies.

Healthy diets and lifestyles can also help reduce the overall impact of air pollution on children. This includes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, ensuring children are up to date with immunizations, promoting healthy diets, and providing opportunities for physical activity.

Reducing air pollution

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects the health of people worldwide and increases the risk of respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, cancer, and death. Here are some ways to reduce air pollution and improve air quality:

At Home

• Turn off electrical appliances when not in use.
• Replace energy-hungry incandescent lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Opt for a fan instead of air conditioning.
• Install low-flow showerheads.
• Recycle paper, plastic, metals, and organic materials.
• Avoid backyard fires in the city.
• Use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of gas-powered ones.

At Work

• Start a recycling program.
• Print and photocopy on both sides of the paper.
• Bring your lunch to work to avoid mid-day outings.
• Turn off office equipment after hours.

In Your Community

• Direct local businesses, city offices, and school districts toward programs that can help them reduce air pollution and become more sustainable.
• Let your elected representatives know you support action for cleaner air.

On the Road

• Walk, ride a bike, or carpool when possible.
• When purchasing a new car, look for the most efficient, lowest-polluting vehicle or a zero-emission electric car.

By making these simple changes, we can all contribute to improving air quality and protecting our health and the environment.

Frequently asked questions