Air Pollution: A Slow Poison For Human Health

Air pollution can have a detrimental impact on people's health, causing a variety of problems. It can affect people of all ages, backgrounds and locations, but some groups are more vulnerable to its adverse effects than others. These include people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/emphysema or chronic bronchitis), pregnant women, children, older adults and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease. Air pollution can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and worsen many breathing and lung diseases, leading to hospitalisations, cancer, or even premature death. It also increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

Air pollution can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and trigger asthma attacks

Air pollution can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and can trigger asthma attacks. It can also increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. People who are already ill are more likely to be severely affected by air pollution.

Air pollution can cause a variety of health problems, both in the short and long term. Even low levels of air pollution can have an impact on people's health. Air pollution can enter the bloodstream and contribute to coughing or itchy eyes. It can also cause or worsen many breathing and lung diseases, leading to hospitalisations, cancer, or even premature death.

People with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/emphysema or chronic bronchitis) are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, which can make it harder for them to breathe, trigger asthma attacks, or cause wheezing and coughing. Exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma from short-term exposure.

Long-term or chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases the risk of developing diseases with a longer onset, such as non-communicable diseases including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution. Additionally, low-income communities and minority populations are disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to adverse health impacts.

Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory infections

Air pollution can have a variety of negative effects on health. One of the most significant ways it can impact the body is by increasing the risk of respiratory infections. When we breathe in air pollutants, they can enter our bloodstream and contribute to coughing or itchy eyes. They can also cause or worsen many breathing and lung diseases, leading to hospitalizations.

Short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections and aggravated asthma. Air pollution can make it harder for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/emphysema or chronic bronchitis) to breathe, trigger asthma attacks, or cause wheezing and coughing.

Long-term or chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases a person's risk for diseases with a longer onset, such as noncommunicable diseases including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Respiratory infections are included in this category, as they can develop over time due to repeated exposure to air pollution.

The risk of harm from air pollution depends on the level of exposure. In general, the higher the exposure, the greater the risk. Where someone lives, goes to school, and works makes a difference in how much air pollution they breathe. Susceptibility to the health impacts of air pollution also varies depending on age, location, underlying health, and other factors. For example, children, older adults, and people living with chronic conditions may be more susceptible to the negative health effects of air pollution. Additionally, low-income communities and minority populations are often disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to its adverse health impacts.

Air pollution can cause or worsen lung diseases

The risk of harm from air pollution depends on the level of exposure. In general, the higher the exposure, the greater the risk of harm. People who are pregnant, children, older adults, and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, may be more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than other adults. Many studies show that low-income communities and minority populations are disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to adverse health impacts. Data from the Minnesota Department of Health show disparities in heart and lung disease by age, race/ethnicity, income level, and geography.

Air pollution increases the risk of heart disease

Data from the Minnesota Department of Health show disparities in heart and lung disease by age, race/ethnicity, income level, and geography. Minnesota also has significant disparities in asthma prevalence by race/ethnicity. The asthma hospitalization rate among Twin Cities children is more than 50% higher than among children living in Greater Minnesota.

In general, the higher the exposure to air pollution, the greater the risk of harm. Individuals who are pregnant and their fetuses, children, older adults, and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, may be physically more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than other adults.

Air pollution increases the risk of cancer

Air pollution can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. It can also severely affect people who are already ill, and the risks vary depending on age, location, underlying health, and other factors. Studies show that low-income communities and minority populations are disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to adverse health impacts.

The risk of harm from air pollution is generally higher for those with higher exposure. This includes people who live, go to school, or work in areas with high levels of air pollution. Individuals who are pregnant, children, older adults, and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, may be more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution.

Short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. On the other hand, long-term or chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases the risk of diseases with a longer onset, such as some noncommunicable diseases, including cancer.

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