Greta Jimenez
Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, such as dust, smoke, or fumes, which can be detrimental to human health. These pollutants can enter the body through the respiratory tract, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and even mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain. The effects of air pollution on lung health are significant, with pollutants exacerbating respiratory conditions, increasing the risk of infections, and contributing to the development of lung cancer. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing lung conditions, are at an increased risk of adverse health outcomes due to air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution increases the risk of | Respiratory infections, lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, coughing, itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing, coughing with tight chest, aggravated asthma, lung disease, metabolic disorders, diabetes, reproductive harm, developmental harm, reduced fertility, pregnancy complications, pre-term birth, low birth weight, heart attacks, abnormal heartbeats, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, reduced lung function, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, mutagenicity, systemic damage to tissues and cells, irritation of the airways, difficulty breathing |
| Air pollution affects | Children, older adults, pregnant women, people with lung diseases, people of color, people with lower incomes, current and former smokers |
| Sources of particle pollution include | Motor vehicles, factories, power plants, equipment, wood burning, wildfires, tobacco smoke, radon, indoor pollutants, vehicle exhaust, smoke, road dust, industrial emissions, pollen, gas-fueled yard equipment, domestic chemicals, biological pollutants, mold, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches |
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What You'll Learn
Lung cancer
Outdoor air pollution is a major contributor to the global disease burden, with most people living in areas where air pollution levels are high. These high levels are due to emissions from industry, power generation, transportation, and domestic burning, which exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) health-based air quality guidelines. Outdoor air pollution has been linked to numerous adverse health effects, including lung cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution and PM in outdoor air pollution as Group 1 human carcinogens for lung cancer. This classification is based on extensive evidence from studies of humans and experimental animals, as well as mechanistic insights. The IARC evaluation highlighted the importance of long-term exposure estimates and the consideration of various exposures and potential confounders, such as cigarette smoking.
Certain individuals are at a higher risk of facing health problems from breathing in particle pollution. This includes children, the elderly, people with lung and heart disease, diabetes, low-income individuals, and those who work or exercise outdoors. High levels of air pollution can also impact people with existing lung conditions, such as asthma, increasing the risk of asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups.
To protect ourselves from particle pollution, it is essential to stay informed about air quality and limit our activities when pollution levels are high. Additionally, we can contribute to reducing local pollution sources by avoiding burning wood or trash and minimizing vehicle idling, especially with diesel engines.
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Asthma and other breathing problems
Air pollution is a serious health threat, and it can be especially harmful to people with asthma. It can trigger asthma attacks, harm lung development in children, and even be deadly. People with asthma may notice more symptoms and need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Air pollution can also cause wheezing and coughing.
Short-term exposure to air pollution can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks, and cause acute bronchitis. It may also increase the risk of respiratory infections. Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a product of burning fuels like coal and oil, can cause coughing, tightness of the chest, and make it harder to breathe. When SO2 levels are high, more people with asthma are admitted to the hospital with asthma attacks.
Particulate matter (PM), a type of air pollution consisting of tiny pieces of solids or liquids in the air, such as dust, dirt, and smoke, can be particularly harmful. High levels of PM are found close to manufacturing and industrial sites, building sites, and quarries, as well as where fossil fuels are burned. Fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Short-term exposure to PM can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. Long-term exposure increases the risk of diseases with a longer onset, such as non-communicable diseases, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer.
Ozone pollution can also cause lasting damage to respiratory health. Short- and long-term exposure to ozone can cause inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging tissues, genes, and proteins throughout the body. This can worsen other disease conditions over time, including potential metabolic disorders and increased risk of reproductive and developmental harm.
Children are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution than adults because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, taking in more polluted air. Exposure to air pollution during childhood increases the risk of developing asthma and COPD in adulthood. Older people are also more at risk, especially if they have long-term lung conditions or heart disease. Additionally, pregnant women exposed to high levels of pollution have an increased risk of their baby developing asthma, regardless of whether the mother has asthma.
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Pneumonia and bronchitis
Air pollution is defined as the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities and durations that can be harmful to human health. The main pathway of exposure from air pollution is through the respiratory tract.
Particulate matter (PM) is made up of tiny pieces of solids or liquids in the air, such as dust, dirt, and smoke. High levels of PM are found close to manufacturing and industrial sites, building sites and quarries, and where fossil fuels are burned. Exposure to high levels of PM can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure to PM increases the risk of diseases with longer onsets, such as noncommunicable diseases, including stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 17% of deaths from acute lower respiratory infections (i.e. pneumonia) are attributable to ambient air pollution. Several studies have found associations between pneumonia diagnosis and ambient air pollutant concentrations. For example, increased PM2.5 concentrations were associated with increased emergency department (ED) visits and admissions for pneumonia in New York State and Utah. Other studies in Asia and Europe have also associated NO2, O3, and PM10 with an increased risk of diagnosis and hospital admission for pneumonia.
Furthermore, air pollution increases the risk of lung infections like bronchitis. Constant exposure to elevated particle pollution will contribute to reduced respiratory function, even in healthy individuals. Particles deposited in the respiratory tract in sufficient amounts can induce inflammation, which has been demonstrated in both animal and controlled human exposure studies.
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COPD and other lung diseases
Air pollution is a serious health threat that can affect everyone, but especially those with pre-existing lung conditions. It can trigger asthma attacks, harm lung development in children, and even be deadly. Children, older adults, and people with lung diseases such as asthma and COPD are among the most vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a lung disease characterised by chronic airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and progressive airflow limitation. Structural changes in the lungs result in symptoms such as coughing, dyspnea, and increased sputum production. Air pollution, particularly particle pollution, contributes to the exacerbation of COPD and likely plays a role in its development. Fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to other organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. This can lead to reduced lung function and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing. People with COPD are at a greater health risk from particle pollution exposure than healthy individuals.
In addition to COPD, air pollution is linked to other lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, worsen breathing problems, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. It can also cause or worsen other diseases over time, including metabolic disorders, central nervous system issues, and reproductive and developmental harm.
The sources of particle pollution that contribute to these lung diseases include motor vehicles, factories, power plants, equipment, wood burning, and wildfires. Even at levels below federal air quality standards, air pollution can still affect people's health. Taking steps to reduce exposure to air pollution can help mitigate the severity of adverse health effects.
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Premature death
Air pollution is a serious health threat that can affect everyone. It is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities that can be harmful to human health. The main pathway of exposure from air pollution is through the respiratory tract, which can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, ultimately leading to disease.
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. Fine particulate matter is particularly dangerous as these very small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells.
Short-term exposure to fine particles in the air can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. Over time, breathing in fine particles increases the chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, or lung cancer.
People with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults, minority populations, and low socioeconomic status populations are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure, either because they are more sensitive or have higher exposures. For example, children are more at risk than adults because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, taking in more polluted air. Being exposed to pollution as a child increases the risk of developing asthma and COPD as an adult. Older people are also more at risk, especially if they have long-term lung conditions or heart disease.
Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Researchers estimate that PM2.5 is responsible for more than 50,000 premature deaths in the United States every year. Exposure to ozone, even at levels below the current standard, has also been found to increase the risk of premature death.
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Frequently asked questions
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 durations that can be harmful to human health.
Air pollution can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs, and ultimately leading to disease.
Air pollution can cause or worsen many breathing and lung diseases, including lung cancer, and can even lead to premature death.
Sources of air pollution include vehicle exhaust, smoke, road dust, industrial emissions, pollen, gas-fuelled yard equipment, and chemicals used in homes.
Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with pre-existing lung diseases such as asthma and COPD are most vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Additionally, people of colour and those with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
