Kiera Jefferson
Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death, with air pollution alone causing approximately 7 million premature deaths each year. The effects of pollution are felt by all living things, from human health to wildlife and agriculture. For humans, air pollution is linked to a wide range of diseases, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, asthma, and lower respiratory infections. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health conditions are at an increased risk of health complications from air pollution. In addition to health impacts, air pollution also reduces visibility, blocks sunlight, causes acid rain, and harms forests, wildlife, and agriculture. Furthermore, pollution stunts economic growth, exacerbates poverty and inequality, and contributes to climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths caused by air pollution globally each year | 6.5 million+ |
| Primary sources of human-made air pollution | Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, chemical production fumes, manufacturing by-products, coal-fueled power plants |
| Primary sources of natural air pollution | Wildfire smoke, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, methane from decomposing organic matter in soils |
| Most common effect of air pollution on animals | Damage to respiratory systems |
| Other common effects of air pollution on animals | Neurological problems, skin irritations |
| Impact of air pollution on plants and crops | Reduced growth, damage to stomata (tiny pores on the underside of leaves), loss of nutrients |
| Impact of air pollution on the climate | Greenhouse gas pollution is causing climate change, leading to extreme weather, increased flooding, and longer pollen seasons |
| Impact of air pollution on vulnerable groups | Children, the elderly, people with ongoing illnesses, and urban populations are more vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution |
| Impact of air pollution on low-income communities | Low-income communities, particularly communities of color, are disproportionately affected by air pollution due to the siting of highways and polluting facilities in or near their neighborhoods |
| Impact of air pollution on specific health conditions | Linked to breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea cancer, bronchus cancer, aggravated asthma, lower respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, dementia |
| Impact of air pollution on the environment | Acid rain damages leaves of vegetation, increases acidity of soils and water, causes property damage, dissolves mortar between bricks, makes stone foundations unstable, and destroys ancient buildings and statues |
| Impact of air pollution on ecosystems | Disruption in the balance of species within an ecosystem, leading to negative impacts on grasslands and other fragile environments, marine ecosystems vulnerable to ocean acidification |
| Efforts to address air pollution | World Bank's Multi-donor Trust Fund for Pollution Management and Environmental Health, Clean Air Act in the United States, circular economy approaches, energy subsidy reform, waste management interventions |
What You'll Learn
- Pollution harms human health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues
- It damages the environment, including forests, wildlife, and agriculture
- Pollution stunts economic growth and exacerbates poverty and inequality
- It disproportionately affects children, pregnant women, and vulnerable groups
- Pollution is a leading cause of cancer, with links to breast and lung cancer
Pollution harms human health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues
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. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, and coal-fueled power plants are some of the primary sources of human-made air pollution. The effects of air pollution on the human body vary depending on the type of pollutant, the length and level of exposure, and individual health risks.
One of the most common effects of air pollution is the harm it causes to respiratory health. Short-term exposure to fine particles in the air can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks, and acute bronchitis, and may also increase the risk of respiratory infections. Studies have also shown a relationship between decreasing PM2.5 concentrations and improving respiratory health in children and reduced mortality in adults. Additionally, long-term exposure to air pollution can cause lasting damage to respiratory health, including inflammation and systemic stress, which can worsen other diseases over time.
Air pollution also negatively impacts cardiovascular health. The fine particles in air pollution can impair blood vessel function and speed up the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which is a traditional risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Short-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and abnormal heartbeats, while long-term exposure can lead to serious cardiovascular events such as coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, heart failure, and stroke. People with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
The impact of air pollution on human health is far-reaching, and it is important to continue researching and addressing this global issue to mitigate its harmful effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health.
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It damages the environment, including forests, wildlife, and agriculture
Forests are complex ecosystems, and pollution can have a detrimental impact on their health. For instance, during the peak acid deposition in the 1970s and 1980s, many eastern US national park streams were so polluted that they killed off aquatic insects and fish, and the surrounding trees began to die. Sulphur falling on forest soil can remove nutrients like calcium, which is essential for the growth of bones and shells in animals. Sulphur and nitrogen emissions from power plants, agriculture, and vehicles can travel far and affect the health of forests. These emissions cause acid rain, which occurs when very high levels of these pollutants are in the air. Nitrogen pollutants can also acidify ecosystems and cause eutrophication, leading to invasive plant growth and algae blooms in lakes and streams, which choke out other forms of life.
Similarly, pollution also has adverse effects on wildlife. Mercury, for example, accumulates in the tissues of wildlife and people, impacting the function and development of the central nervous system. It is particularly harmful to pregnant and breastfeeding women and children. High levels of mercury in the environment have caused dangerous reproductive and neurological problems in a wide range of wildlife species. Birds lay fewer eggs, fish have difficulty schooling, and mammals have impaired motor skills that affect their ability to hunt and find food.
Additionally, pollution can damage agriculture. Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are among the most widely emitted pollutants, and they can directly damage crop cells. Research has shown that regions with high amounts of nitrogen oxides pollution experience significant declines in crop yields. For example, reducing NOx pollution could increase crop yields by about 25% in China and up to 10% in other parts of the world.
Overall, pollution has far-reaching consequences for the environment, including forests, wildlife, and agriculture. It disrupts ecosystems, endangers wildlife, and threatens food security, highlighting the urgent need for effective pollution control measures.
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Pollution stunts economic growth and exacerbates poverty and inequality
Pollution is detrimental to economic growth and exacerbates poverty and inequality. It is the leading environmental risk to health, causing 7 million premature deaths each year, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The economic burden of pollution-associated premature mortality is significant, costing countries 5 to 14% of their GDP.
The effects of pollution are disproportionately felt by those in poverty, with 844 million people worldwide lacking access to clean drinking water, and the majority of these people living in extreme poverty. In Nigeria, for example, inadequate sanitation systems cause human waste to contaminate drinking water sources, leading to 59,500 children under the age of 5 dying from waterborne diseases every year. Pollution also impacts food security, with around 815 million people suffering from chronic undernourishment. The impact of pollution on health is also more severe for those in poverty, as they lack the resources to protect themselves from its negative consequences.
Furthermore, racial and ethnic minorities often face higher exposure to pollutants and greater health risks from pollution. Studies have found that non-white populations, especially African Americans and Hispanics, are at a higher risk of premature death from particle pollution. This disparity is due to various factors, including the historical siting of highways and polluting facilities in or near low-income and minority communities, as well as residential segregation, which has resulted in higher exposure to air pollution for African Americans.
The impact of pollution on economic growth and inequality is evident, with low-income countries suffering the most significant consequences. Pollution hinders development outcomes, destroys ecosystems, and contributes to climate change, further exacerbating the challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
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It disproportionately affects children, pregnant women, and vulnerable groups
Air pollution is a major threat to global health, causing more than 6.5 million deaths annually worldwide. It is caused by a combination of human-made and natural sources, with vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, manufacturing by-products, and power generation being the primary human-made contributors.
Pollution disproportionately affects children, pregnant women, and vulnerable groups. For pregnant women, exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, congenital malformations, intrauterine growth restriction, neonatal mortality, preeclampsia, hypertension, and gestational diabetes. A study of women pregnant during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a time when the city's air quality improved due to mandated emissions reductions, found that their babies were, on average, 0.8 ounces heavier than those born in the same months in previous years. Additionally, air pollution has been associated with fertility problems and miscarriages. Maternal smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can also impact infant lung development, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, wheezing, and asthma in children.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pollution, with nearly three million babies born prematurely each year due to exposure to particulate matter pollution. These children face a higher risk of neurological disorders and permanent physical disabilities. Additionally, air pollution can exacerbate asthma, and children exposed to high levels of pollution are more likely to develop asthma later in life.
Noise pollution also has significant impacts on children and pregnant women. Exposure to loud noises can cause chronic stress, affecting the development of babies and increasing the risk of congenital malformations. It can also lead to long-term health issues, such as congenital hearing loss.
Vulnerable groups, including those with respiratory problems, the elderly, and individuals in low-income communities, are also disproportionately affected by pollution. People living near highways and polluting facilities, often low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, bear the brunt of negative health consequences. Fine particulate matter in the air can worsen respiratory conditions, lead to heart attacks, and even hasten death.
Addressing these disparities requires land use and public health reforms, ensuring that vulnerable areas are not overburdened and that resources are directed to those who need them the most.
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Pollution is a leading cause of cancer, with links to breast and lung cancer
Air pollution is a major threat to global health, causing more than 6.5 million deaths annually, a number that has increased over the past two decades. It is caused by a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, chemical production, and manufacturing are some of the primary sources of human-made air pollution.
Air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including breast cancer and lung cancer. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, has been associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that living in areas with high levels of particulate air pollution was linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. This study, which included over 500,000 women, followed participants for approximately 20 years and identified 15,870 breast cancer cases. The research suggested that PM2.5 may affect breast cancer development through endocrine disruption, as it can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, potentially impacting other tissues.
Additionally, a study presented at the ESMO Congress 2023 in Madrid, Spain, found a significant association between long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution at home and work and the risk of developing breast cancer. This study, conducted by Professor Béatrice Fervers, compared home and workplace exposure to pollution in 2419 women with breast cancer and 2984 women without the disease over an 11-year period. The results showed a 28% increase in breast cancer risk when exposure to fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution increased by 10 µg/m3.
Lung cancer has also been linked to air pollution, particularly the increased reliance on coal for energy generation. Fine particulate matter can impair blood vessel function and accelerate the calcification of arteries. Additionally, exposure to nitrogen oxides has been linked to an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke in post-menopausal women.
The effects of air pollution on cancer development can vary depending on individual health risks and the cumulative impacts of multiple pollutants. As such, air pollution poses a significant health risk, and further research is needed to understand fully the mechanisms by which it contributes to cancer development.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities that can be harmful to human health. It is the leading environmental risk to health, causing 7 million premature deaths each year. It can also cause morbidity, with people living with diseases related to exposure to air pollution. Air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea, bronchus and lung cancers, aggravated asthma and lower respiratory infections. It is also associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders.
Air pollution has various effects on the environment. It contributes to climate change, which affects multiple ecosystems, causing problems such as food safety issues, ice and iceberg melting, animal extinction, and damage to plants. It also has negative impacts on wildlife, with animals developing health problems when exposed to high levels of pollutants. In addition, air pollution can cause eutrophication, which occurs when elevated concentrations of nutrients stimulate the blooming of aquatic algae, leading to a disequilibration in the diversity of fish and their deaths.
Vulnerable populations, such as people with low incomes, children, and people with pre-existing health conditions, are disproportionately affected by pollution. People with annual incomes below $70,000 experience higher levels of industry, energy, transportation, residential, and commercial-related emissions. Children who live in communities with higher pollution levels or near busy roads are more likely to develop asthma and bronchitis symptoms in adulthood. Additionally, low- and middle-income countries suffer the most from air pollution, with 95% of deaths caused by air pollution occurring in these countries.
