Air Pollution's Hidden Health Hazards

Air pollution is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour. These contaminants can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, brain and other organs. The specific diseases most strongly linked with exposure to air pollution include stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataract.

Strokes

Air pollution is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour. These contaminants can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs.

Particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) are among the pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern. Due to their small size, some air pollutants can penetrate into the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the entire body, leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity.

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter increases a person's risk of stroke. This is because particulate matter can enter the bloodstream and accumulate in the blood vessels, causing them to become narrowed or blocked. Additionally, air pollution can increase the risk of blood clots, which are a leading cause of strokes.

To reduce the risk of strokes caused by air pollution, it is important to minimise exposure to air pollutants. This can be done by avoiding areas with high levels of air pollution, such as busy roads or industrial areas, and by wearing a mask or respirator when exposed to air pollutants. Additionally, air purifiers can be used indoors to reduce the levels of particulate matter and other pollutants in the air.

Heart disease

While there are many factors that contribute to heart disease, including genetics, growing medical evidence links air pollution to heart disease. Short-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmias and heart failure in susceptible people, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions. Long-term exposure to air pollution can also increase the risk of death from heart disease.

Air pollution is thought to aid the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which is plaque that builds up in the artery walls and causes heart disease. Several environmental air pollutants are associated with increased hospitalisation and mortality due to cardiovascular disease, especially in people with congestive heart failure, frequent arrhythmias, or both. These pollutants include carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, and particulate matter.

One of the most common indoor sources of air pollution is smoking, which is dangerous both to the smoker and to those nearby. The causal associations between active and passive smoking with heart disease and stroke support the idea that air pollution can have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system.

Lung cancer

Air pollution is the presence of 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. Breathing in these pollutants leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout our body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs, and ultimately leading to disease.

Short-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac problems, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions. However, long-term or chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases a person's risk for diseases with a longer onset, like some noncommunicable diseases, including lung cancer.

Particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) are some of the pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern. 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.

The impact of air pollution on lung cancer risk is a serious public health concern. Reducing exposure to air pollutants and implementing regulations to improve air quality can help decrease the incidence of lung cancer and other diseases associated with air pollution.

Asthma

Air pollution is linked to a range of diseases, including asthma.

Air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms and trigger attacks in several ways. Firstly, pollutants can directly irritate the airways, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed. Secondly, air pollution can increase the levels of allergens in the air, such as pollen and mould spores, which are common triggers for asthma. Thirdly, air pollution can reduce the overall air quality, making it more difficult for individuals with asthma to breathe and increasing the likelihood of an attack.

Particulate matter, a type of air pollutant, is of particular concern when it comes to asthma. Particulate matter refers to tiny particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. These particles can be inhaled and penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irritation and inflammation. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of particulate matter can aggravate asthma and lead to reduced lung function.

The impact of air pollution on asthma is a significant public health concern. It is estimated that approximately one in three deaths from asthma globally are caused by air pollution. This highlights the urgent need to address air pollution levels and implement effective measures to reduce exposure, particularly for vulnerable individuals with asthma.

To mitigate the effects of air pollution on asthma, it is essential to minimise exposure to pollutants. This can be achieved through various strategies, such as reducing outdoor activities during high pollution periods, wearing masks, and improving indoor air quality. Additionally, regular monitoring and management of asthma symptoms are crucial to prevent attacks and maintain lung health.

Pneumonia

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.

Not all populations are equally vulnerable to air pollution-related pneumonia deaths. It is the very young and the very old who are at greatest risk. Thirty per cent of all air pollution-related pneumonia deaths are among children under five years, while 42% are among adults over 70 years. Household air pollution is a greater risk for pneumonia among children while outdoor air pollution disproportionately harms respiratory health among older adults. Seventy per cent of air pollution-related pneumonia deaths among children are caused by household air pollution, while 58% of air pollution-related pneumonia deaths among older adults are caused by outdoor air pollution.

Short-term exposure to certain ambient air pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3, has been associated with an increased risk of hospital admission for pneumonia among patients with COPD.

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