Bronte Wells
Air pollution is a significant global health risk and a leading cause of premature death and disease. It is responsible for millions of deaths annually and has been linked to various health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurological damage, cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The presence of contaminants in the air, such as particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, poses risks to human health, especially in densely populated metropolitan areas. The effects of air pollution are exacerbated for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, certain professions, such as outdoor laborers and those living near major roadways, are more susceptible to the detrimental effects of air pollution. Addressing air pollution is crucial to mitigate its impact on public health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths caused by air pollution each year | 6.5-8 million |
| Risk factors | Stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, pneumonia, cataract, dementia, depression, anxiety, psychosis, diabetes, cognitive impairment, neurological diseases, other cancers |
| Populations most vulnerable to air pollution | Children, people living in poverty, babies, older people, pregnant people, outdoor laborers, people of color, people living near major roadways, people living in densely populated metropolitan areas, people living in lower-middle-income countries |
| Main sources of human-made air pollution | Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, chemical production, construction, renovation, demolition, carpeting, plywood, tobacco smoke |
| Main sources of natural air pollution | Smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, methane from decomposing organic matter |
| Pollutants leading to disease | Particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) |
| Health impacts of particulate matter exposure | Reduced lung function, respiratory infections, aggravated asthma, increased risk of non-communicable diseases, impaired blood vessel function, accelerated artery calcification, increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, lung development issues, emphysema, asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer |
| Other health impacts of air pollution | Skin cancer, eye problems, plant damage, increased risk of breast cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, colorectal and prostate cancers, hypertension during pregnancy, low birth weight, small for gestational age, mutagenicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression |
What You'll Learn
Increased risk of cancer
Air pollution is a significant risk factor for a number of diseases, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and more. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world's population breathes air that exceeds healthy levels of pollution.
Outdoor air pollution is a mixture of tiny dust-like particles and substances in the air that have the potential to negatively impact health. These particles can be artificial, such as fumes from vehicles or factories, or smoke from burning fuels like wood or coal. They can also be natural sources of pollutants, such as wind-blown dust, radon, and ozone. The tiniest airborne particles in soot are especially dangerous because they can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells, and worsening bronchitis.
The health effects of air pollution are far-reaching, with children, the elderly, pregnant people, and those with pre-existing health conditions being particularly vulnerable. According to Cancer Research UK, outdoor air pollution causes around one in ten cases of lung cancer in the UK. While smoking remains a much bigger risk factor for lung cancer, the number of smokers is decreasing while lung cancer rates are rising in places like Beijing.
A 2020 study published in the AACR found a link between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and an increased risk of mortality from several types of cancer, including breast, liver, and pancreatic cancer. The authors of the study identified a few potential explanations for the increased risk, including pollution's potential to spark defects in DNA repair function, alterations in the body's immune response, and inflammation that triggers angiogenesis, or the growth of new blood vessels that allow tumors to spread.
Additionally, indoor air pollution, often caused by second-hand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, as well as burning wood and coal for heating or cooking, can also increase the risk of lung cancer. It is important to note that air pollution levels and the associated health risks vary depending on location, age, profession, and activity level.
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Respiratory issues
Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to human health, particularly when it comes to respiratory issues. It is caused by various human activities and natural sources, and its impact on respiratory health can be detrimental. Here are some key ways in which air pollution affects respiratory health:
Increased Respiratory Symptoms
Air pollution exposure is linked to a range of respiratory symptoms, including coughing, phlegm, and wheezing and respiratory infections. These symptoms can be particularly prominent in children and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma. The particles in air pollution can induce inflammation in the respiratory tract, leading to these symptoms.
Reduced Lung Function
Particle pollution from air pollution can result in a decrease in lung function, especially in children and older adults. Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution during infancy and early life is associated with reduced lung function and long-term respiratory consequences. This can lead to conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
Aggravation of Respiratory Diseases
Air pollution not only causes respiratory issues but also aggravates existing respiratory diseases. It can trigger asthma attacks, increase the frequency of asthma symptoms, and lead to more hospital admissions for people with lung conditions, including asthma and COPD. Fine particulate matter in air pollution can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells.
Higher Risk of Developing Respiratory Diseases
Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases. This is especially true for children, who are more vulnerable to air pollution due to their developing lungs and higher breathing rates. Exposure to air pollution during childhood can increase the risk of developing asthma and COPD in adulthood.
Increased Mortality
In some cases, air pollution can lead to premature mortality, particularly in individuals with chronic lung diseases. It is estimated that air pollution contributes to millions of deaths each year worldwide, with respiratory issues being a significant factor.
Overall, air pollution has far-reaching consequences for respiratory health. While some individuals are more vulnerable than others, air pollution affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Taking steps to reduce exposure to air pollution is crucial to mitigate its adverse effects on respiratory health.
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Cardiovascular issues
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and illness worldwide, with over 17.9 million deaths per year. Air pollution is a significant contributor to this, causing nearly ten times the number of recommended levels of air pollution in some regions.
Air pollution is a complex mixture of gases, liquids, and particulate matter. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is of particular concern, as it can penetrate deep into the cardiovascular system and cause a range of issues. These particles are often found near busy roads, in urban areas, and in industrial areas. They can also enter homes and buildings, causing high levels of indoor air pollution.
The toxic effects of air pollution on the cardiovascular system include hypoxic injury, free radical generation, mitochondrial inhibition, platelet activation, and inflammation. These effects can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Long-term exposure to air pollution is a significant risk factor for CVD, accelerating the process of atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the artery walls, which can restrict blood flow to the heart and other major blood vessels.
In addition to the physical health effects, air pollution also has economic impacts. The global healthcare costs associated with air pollution are projected to surge from USD 21 billion in 2015 to USD 176 billion in 2060. The number of annual lost working days is also expected to increase to 3.7 billion by 2060, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of air pollution on cardiovascular health.
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Neurological damage
Air pollution is a significant risk factor for a range of diseases, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, neurological damage, cancer, stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. It is also linked to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5 and PM10, is of particular concern. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Prolonged exposure to these particles has been linked to higher levels of depression and an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Meta-analyses have found significant correlations between particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and depression. This relationship is believed to stem from the ability of these pollutants to increase reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, which can lead to neuron damage and disruptions in neurotransmitter systems.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), another prevalent air pollutant, has been associated with cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to NO2 is linked to reduced cognitive abilities, particularly in the elderly. Furthermore, exposure to PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and traffic-related pollution has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease by inducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, leading to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.
Ozone (O3), another strong oxidizing pollutant, can also cause nerve damage by inducing the release of free radicals and damaging the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Epidemiological, clinical, and toxicological studies have shown a correlation between O3 and the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animal studies have further demonstrated that O3 exposure can lead to oxidative stress and irreversible progressive neurodegeneration, as well as chronic neurodegenerative changes associated with AD.
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Mortality rates
Air pollution is a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality as well as specific diseases. It causes around 7 or 8 million deaths each year, with some estimates reaching 8.1 million in 2021. The death toll hasn't changed much over the years, despite the world's growing population. However, this also means that the death rate from air pollution, or the risk for the average person, has been declining. Death rates have even halved since 1990, according to some estimates.
The main pathway of exposure from air pollution is through the respiratory tract. Fine particulate matter, or PM, is the most deadly form of air pollution, both indoors and outdoors. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. They can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure increases the risk of diseases with a longer onset, such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and pneumonia.
Particulate matter is especially harmful to children, who breathe at a higher rate than adults and tend to breathe in air closer to the ground, which usually has higher pollution levels. Outdoor labourers, including migrant and seasonal farmworkers, are among the most vulnerable to air pollution. People living in poverty, babies, older people, and pregnant people are also disproportionately affected. In addition, people of colour in the United States are 1.5 times more likely than white people to live in areas with poor air quality.
Air pollution is usually concentrated in densely populated metropolitan areas, especially in developing countries with lax or non-existent environmental regulations. Urbanization leads to a rapid rise in premature mortality due to air pollution in fast-growing tropical cities. However, populated areas in developed countries also experience unhealthy levels of pollution, such as Los Angeles and Rome. The sources of outdoor air pollution include residential energy for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry.
The Clean Air Act in Britain, implemented in 1956, and the US Clean Air Act, introduced in 1963, have helped reduce harmful emissions from transportation, power plants, and manufacturing. Similarly, successful environmental regulations in the US, Canada, France, Germany, and other rich countries have led to impressive reductions in air pollution. A rollout of clean technologies could see pollution deaths decrease significantly in the coming decades.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution is a risk factor for a number of diseases, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataract (household air pollution only). It is also linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, other cancers, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and neurological diseases.
Air pollution has a number of environmental impacts. For example, ozone affects crops, and forests are impacted by the pollution that causes acid rain.
Air pollution comes from both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, manufacturing, and power generation are the primary sources of human-made air pollution. Natural sources include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane, which are emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.
Air pollution disproportionately affects children, people living in poverty, pregnant people, babies, older people, and outdoor laborers. People of colour are also more likely to live in areas with poor air quality.
