Air Pollution: A Slow, Silent, And Deadly Killer

Air pollution is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour. These pollutants can be harmful to human health, impacting the lungs, heart and brain, among other organs, and can lead to disease. Almost every organ in the body can be affected by air pollution, and some pollutants can enter the bloodstream via the lungs, leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity. Air pollution has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, such as emphysema, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as type 2 diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases such as emphysema, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Air pollution can cause a wide range of respiratory diseases, including emphysema, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also lead to other serious health issues, such as lung cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia.

Air pollution is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gases, mists, odours, smoke, or vapours. These pollutants can enter the body through the respiratory tract, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body. Almost every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution, as some pollutants are small enough to penetrate the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the entire body.

One of the most common air pollutants is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has been linked to increased asthma prevalence and severity in children. Other pollutants, such as ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2), have also been associated with respiratory issues, including chronic bronchitis.

The impact of air pollution on health is particularly concerning for children, who have little control over their exposure and are more vulnerable to the development of respiratory diseases and other health issues later in life. Urban areas, especially low-income neighbourhoods, tend to have higher levels of air pollution, putting residents at greater risk.

Additionally, certain pollutants, such as benzene and dioxins, can have severe health consequences even in small amounts. Benzene, for example, can cause eye, skin, and lung irritation in the short term and blood disorders in the long term. Dioxins, while more commonly found in food, can also be present in small amounts in the air and have been linked to liver issues and harm to the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems.

Air pollution can cause systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides evidence of links between exposure to air pollution and type 2 diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified air pollution, in particular PM2.5, as a leading cause of cancer. A recent global review found that chronic exposure can affect every organ in the body, complicating and exacerbating existing health conditions.

Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5) is the air pollutant driving the most significant health problems and premature mortality. In 2021, 97% of the urban population was exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter above the health-based guideline level set by the World Health Organization. Research published in 2023 tied two air pollutants, ozone and PM2.5, to asthma-related changes in children’s airways. In a study of 50,000 women across the country, long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide were linked to chronic bronchitis.

Air pollution can also affect lung development and is implicated in the development of emphysema, asthma, and other respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increases in asthma prevalence and severity are linked to urbanization and outdoor air pollution. Children living in low-income urban areas tend to have more asthma cases than others.

Air pollution can cause type 2 diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Air pollution can cause a wide range of health issues, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. It is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gases, and smoke, which can be harmful to human health. The main pathway of exposure is through the respiratory tract, which can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression. These pollutants can also enter the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the body, causing systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity.

Research has shown that air pollution is linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided evidence of this connection, with chronic exposure to air pollution affecting almost every organ in the body. This includes the pancreas, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and insulin production.

Obesity is another health issue that has been associated with air pollution. While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, it is believed that air pollutants can disrupt metabolic processes and increase the risk of weight gain. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, has been identified as a significant contributor to obesity-related health problems.

Air pollution has also been implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The WHO has found links between exposure to air pollution and cognitive decline, including an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The pollutants can impact the brain, leading to inflammation and damage to nerve cells, which can contribute to the development of these neurological disorders.

Additionally, air pollution can affect lung development and is associated with respiratory diseases such as emphysema, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also linked to an increased risk of cancer, with the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifying air pollution as a leading cause.

Air pollution can cause eye, skin and lung irritation

Breathing in these pollutants leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout our body, impacting the lungs, heart, brain, and other organs. Almost every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution. Due to their small size, some air pollutants are able to penetrate into the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the entire body, leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity.

Air pollution is linked to a wide range of diseases, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea, bronchus and lung cancers, aggravated asthma and lower respiratory infections. It can also affect lung development and is implicated in the development of emphysema, asthma, and other respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the air pollutant driving the most significant health problems and premature mortality. In 2021, 97% of the urban population was exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter above the health-based guideline level set by the World Health Organization. Other air pollutants that are harmful to human health include mercury, lead, dioxins, and benzene.

Air pollution can cause blood disorders

Air pollution is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities and duration that can be injurious to human health. The main pathway of exposure from air pollution is through the respiratory tract. However, due to their small size, some air pollutants are able to penetrate into the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the entire body, leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the air pollutant driving the most significant health problems and premature mortality. In 2021, 97% of the urban population was exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter above the health-based guideline level set by the World Health Organization. Increases in asthma prevalence and severity are linked to urbanisation and outdoor air pollution.

Air pollution can also affect lung development and is implicated in the development of emphysema, asthma, and other respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Research published in 2023 tied two air pollutants, ozone and PM2.5, to asthma-related changes in children’s airways. In a study of 50,000 women across the country, long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide were linked to chronic bronchitis.

Frequently asked questions