Meghan Hodges
Breathing polluted air has severe health risks. Air pollution is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gases, and smoke, which can be harmful to human health. Short-term exposure to polluted air can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks, and acute bronchitis, and may also increase the risk of respiratory infections and heart attacks. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and even premature death. Some groups are more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of air pollution, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health conditions. Fine particulate matter, a common pollutant, can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and damage tissues and cells throughout the body. Other pollutants of concern include carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide. The sources of these pollutants are diverse, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and household sources such as tobacco smoke and mould.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health Risks | Asthma attacks, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, developmental damage, susceptibility to infections, worsened COPD symptoms, lung tissue swelling and irritation, low infant birth weight, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart attacks, stroke, premature death, diabetes, neurological development issues, cognitive impairment, neurological diseases, respiratory infections, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, systemic inflammation, carcinogenicity, adverse pregnancy outcomes, other cancers, cognitive impairment |
| Pollutants | Particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), radon, smoke, lead dust, volatile organic compounds, wood tars, gases, soot, mould, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, tobacco smoke |
| Populations at Risk | Children, elderly, pregnant women, people with lung diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), people experiencing poverty, people of colour, black people, current and former smokers |
What You'll Learn
Respiratory conditions
Breathing in polluted air can have severe consequences on respiratory health, causing irritation and inflammation in the lungs. This can lead to a range of respiratory conditions, including:
Asthma: Air pollution is a significant trigger for asthma attacks and flare-ups. Fine particulate matter, ozone, and other pollutants can irritate the airways, causing them to narrow and making it difficult to breathe. This is especially harmful to people with pre-existing asthma, and can result in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is a chronic lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Air pollution can worsen the symptoms of COPD, making it even harder for people with this condition to breathe. Pollutants can further irritate and inflame the airways, exacerbating coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Respiratory Infections: Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing respiratory infections, particularly in children. Pollutants can damage the lungs and weaken the immune system, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to cause infections.
Lung Cancer: Fine particulate matter and other pollutants can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing cellular damage and increasing the risk of lung cancer. Inhaling toxic substances, such as tobacco smoke, which contains formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, further elevates the risk of lung cancer.
Other Respiratory Conditions: Air pollution has also been linked to other respiratory issues, including lung tissue swelling and irritation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. It can aggravate existing lung diseases and reduce lung function, impacting overall respiratory health.
It is important to note that the respiratory tract is the main pathway of exposure to air pollution. Therefore, protecting respiratory health is crucial in mitigating the overall health impacts of air pollution.
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Cardiovascular problems
Cardiovascular disease is a general term used to describe conditions affecting the health of the heart or blood vessels. The disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with most deaths occurring in people over 65 years of age. One in three Americans has heart or blood vessel disease. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease include male sex, older age, increased blood pressure, high total cholesterol, low HDL, and smoking. In addition, other risk factors, such as diabetes and air pollution exposure, have been found to contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Many of the health problems associated with heart disease are related to atherosclerosis or the buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries. For those with heart disease, the buildup can result in blood clots, which can block the flow of blood and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Ischaemic heart disease and stroke account for approximately half of the early deaths attributed to air pollution.
Air pollution can exacerbate existing cardiovascular disease and contribute to the development of the disease. 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.
A US cohort of over 500,000 adults (ages 50–71) found that long-term exposure (>10 years) to the air pollutants NO2 and PM2.5 was associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular causes (e.g., ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cardiac arrest). Participants with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet were shown to have lower rates of pollutant-attributed cardiovascular mortality.
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Lung cancer
In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that particle pollution can cause lung cancer. The same year, an 8-year-old girl in China was diagnosed with lung cancer, and her doctor attributed the cause to air pollution. The WHO also reported that levels of exposure to air pollution have increased significantly in some parts of the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries with large populations.
Particle pollution is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air, which can be made up of acids, organic chemicals, metals, soil, and dust particles. These fine particles can enter deep into the lungs and are linked to lung cancer. They can also carry toxic chemicals that are linked to cancer. 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.
Indoor air pollution, such as radon, can also cause lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US. Tobacco smoke contains over 200 known poisons and at least 60 chemicals known to cause cancer.
According to a study of nearly half a million people living in England, South Korea, and Taiwan, exposure to increasing concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM) 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) in diameter was linked to an increased risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. The study found that air pollution drives the influx of macrophages, which release the inflammatory mediator interleukin-1β, driving the expansion of cells with EGFR mutations in response to exposure to PM2.5. Blockade of interleukin-1β inhibited lung cancer initiation.
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Pregnancy complications
Breathing polluted air during pregnancy can lead to several complications and adverse outcomes for both the mother and the developing baby.
Several studies have found a correlation between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications and adverse birth outcomes. These complications can include preterm labour, low birth weight, underdeveloped lungs in the baby, and even the death of the baby during or after birth. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may also increase the risk of stillbirth, with the risk being highest during the third trimester.
The respiratory health of pregnant women can be significantly impacted by air pollution. Increased exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy has been correlated with small for gestational age effects, resulting in babies being born unusually small. Additionally, exposure to air pollution can exacerbate asthma in pregnant women, leading to preeclampsia, a condition characterised by elevated blood pressure and decreased liver and kidney function. Untreated asthma can cause oxygen deprivation in the baby, resulting in poor growth, premature birth, and low birth weight.
The potential dangers of babies developing in a polluted environment extend beyond birth. Research has found that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism, asthma, and miscarriage. Furthermore, babies exposed to higher levels of air pollution in the womb, particularly during the third trimester, are more likely to have elevated blood pressure as they grow up.
To reduce the harmful effects of air pollution during pregnancy, pregnant women can take some simple protection strategies. These include remaining indoors as much as possible, using air purifiers, wearing face coverings when outdoors, and consulting with healthcare providers about specific risks and precautions.
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Neurological issues
Breathing polluted air has been linked to a range of neurological issues, which can affect both children and adults. Evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution can lead to cognitive impairment and neurological disorders.
One of the key neurological concerns associated with air pollution is its impact on cognitive function. Studies have found a correlation between exposure to certain pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), and cognitive decline. High levels of SO2 exposure have been linked to a faster rate of cognitive deterioration in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, research has indicated a negative correlation between SO2 exposure and overall cognitive performance, including in specific functional areas such as orientation, recall, and language skills.
Air pollution has also been implicated in the development and exacerbation of neurological disorders. Multiple sclerosis, for example, may be triggered or aggravated by air pollutants, particularly through their transfer through the olfactory system and passage through the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, studies have found a positive association between SO2 levels and outpatient visits for epilepsy, suggesting that air pollution may influence the frequency and severity of seizures.
The impact of air pollution on neurological development, particularly in children, is another area of concern. Evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution may negatively affect neurological development, potentially leading to long-term cognitive impairments. This includes possible effects on brain structure and function, which can have lasting consequences for cognitive abilities and overall neurological health.
In addition to the direct neurological impacts, air pollution can also contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular issues that may indirectly affect neurological health. Pollutants can irritate and inflame the lungs, making it harder to breathe and potentially leading to respiratory infections and conditions such as asthma. These respiratory issues can have downstream effects on neurological function, as insufficient oxygen supply to the brain can impair cognitive abilities.
Overall, the evidence suggests that breathing polluted air poses a significant risk to neurological health, with potential short-term and long-term consequences. The complex interactions between pollutants and the nervous system underscore the importance of mitigating air pollution to protect the health and well-being of individuals, especially those in vulnerable populations.
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Frequently asked questions
Breathing polluted air can irritate the lungs and may cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma flare-ups, and chest pain. It also puts you at risk for lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke, and even premature death.
Short-term exposure to polluted air can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks, and acute bronchitis, and may also increase the risk of respiratory infections. It has also been linked to heart attacks and abnormal heartbeats.
Yes, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health conditions, especially heart and lung disease, are more vulnerable to the health impacts of breathing polluted air.
