Brian Barton
Air pollution is a serious health threat that can affect everyone. It is the presence of 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 cause inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout our bodies. This impacts the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs, and can ultimately lead to disease. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, is of particular concern as it 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, and acute bronchitis, and may also increase the risk of respiratory infections. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to a wide range of diseases, including lung cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease. Certain groups, such as children, older adults, and people with pre-existing lung conditions, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Irritation | Air pollution can irritate airways and lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, and itchy eyes. |
| Inflammation | Fine particles can cause pulmonary inflammation, increasing airway responsiveness to irritants and potentially reducing lung function. |
| Lung Conditions | Exposure to air pollution can trigger and exacerbate lung conditions such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and lung cancer. |
| Increased Hospitalizations | High pollution levels lead to more hospitalizations, especially for those with pre-existing lung conditions. |
| Higher Risk for Certain Groups | Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with existing health conditions are at higher risk of adverse effects from air pollution. |
| Cardiovascular Issues | Air pollution is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. |
| Mortality | Exposure to air pollution is a significant risk factor for premature mortality, including from cardiopulmonary causes. |
| Global Impact | Air pollution affects people worldwide, with almost 99% of the global population breathing air that exceeds WHO guideline limits for pollutant levels. |
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What You'll Learn
Asthma and other lung conditions
Air pollution is a major public health concern, affecting 9 out of 10 individuals living in urban areas worldwide. It is the ninth leading risk factor for cardiopulmonary mortality, causing 3.2 million deaths each year. Exposure to air pollution can affect everyone, but it especially harms those with pre-existing lung conditions, including asthma.
For people with asthma, air pollution can be a trigger, causing flare-ups and exacerbating symptoms. When pollution levels are high, hospital admissions increase for people with lung conditions, including asthma. Air pollution also increases the risk of respiratory infections, which can be particularly dangerous for people with asthma. Exposure to air pollution over a long period can even cause asthma to develop, and children are particularly vulnerable. Being exposed to pollution as a child increases the risk of developing asthma as an adult.
Biological pollutants, such as mould, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and cockroaches, may also trigger asthma attacks. Tobacco smoke contains around 200 known poisons and at least 60 chemicals that can cause cancer. Diesel pollution is another serious contributor to asthma attacks, with exhaust from diesel engines alone leading to over 5,000 asthma attacks in Illinois in 2023.
Air pollution is a particular concern for low-income communities and minority populations, who are disproportionately exposed to diesel exhaust pollution due to their proximity to major roadways and industrial areas. People experiencing poverty are exposed to 35% more air pollution than the average person, while Black people are exposed to 54% more.
Overall, air pollution has severe effects on people with asthma and other lung conditions, increasing hospitalisations and the risk of respiratory infections, as well as causing asthma flare-ups and potentially triggering the development of asthma in children.
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Lung cancer
Air pollution is anything that makes the air more toxic and damaging to our health. It can come from vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, smoke, road dust, pollen, and chemicals in our homes, among other sources. These pollutants can irritate our airways, causing coughing, itchy eyes, and worsening breathing problems. Certain pollutants, such as PM2.5 particles, can reach the breathing sacs in our lungs and even cross into our bloodstream. These particles can carry toxic chemicals linked to cancer.
In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that particulate matter causes lung cancer. The same year, an 8-year-old girl in China was diagnosed with lung cancer, and her doctor attributed it to air pollution. The Global Burden of Disease 2019 study estimated that 15% of global lung cancer deaths are attributable to PM2.5 outdoor air pollution. Additionally, research has shown that PM2.5 can promote carcinogenesis in the lungs, inducing oxidative stress and activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in human bronchial epithelial cells, which promotes lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
Particle pollution has also been linked to a higher risk of premature mortality in people with chronic lung disease and increased respiratory symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, and wheezing. It can also interfere with the growth and function of the lungs, especially in children, and increase the risk of developing lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Overall, air pollution is a significant risk factor for lung cancer and other respiratory health issues. It is important to take steps to reduce exposure to air pollutants and to advocate for measures that improve air quality.
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Respiratory infections
Air pollution is anything that makes the air more toxic and damaging to our health. It can affect all parts of our bodies, including the health of our lungs, heart, and brain.
Particle pollution exposure can induce inflammation, which has been demonstrated in both animal and controlled human exposure studies. The extent of pulmonary inflammation depends on the particle dose and composition. For example, organic carbon particles and transition metals from combustion sources can elicit a strong inflammatory response. Airway inflammation increases airway responsiveness to irritants and may reduce lung function by causing bronchoconstriction.
Biological particles (i.e., microbes, viruses, and spores) may lead to asthma exacerbation by aggravating inflammation and causing infection. Inhalation of particulate matter (PM) may contribute to more frequent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as PM can bring many microorganisms to the surface. Exposure to air pollution over a long period can cause lung conditions, including asthma and COPD.
Children are more at risk than adults because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, which means they take in more polluted air. Being exposed to pollution as a child increases the risk of developing asthma and COPD as an adult. Low consumption of fruits and vegetables can affect symptoms like persistent cough and wheeze. Sufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables should be recommended for subjects with additional oxidative stress challenges, such as exposure to high levels of air pollution.
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Premature mortality
Air pollution is anything that makes the air more toxic and damaging to our health. It can affect all parts of our bodies, including the lungs, heart, and brain. While anyone can be affected by air pollution, certain groups are more at risk, including children, pregnant people, and the elderly, especially if they have pre-existing lung conditions.
The impact of air pollution on health is significant, with studies showing that it is one of the largest risk factors for premature death globally. In 2015, pollution was responsible for approximately 9 million premature deaths worldwide, making it the leading environmental cause of premature mortality. While there has been a decline in deaths from traditional pollution, such as household air pollution from solid fuels, the number of deaths from modern pollution, including ambient air pollution and toxic chemical pollution, has increased.
The negative health impacts of air pollution are well-documented. Air pollution can irritate the airways and lungs, causing inflammation and respiratory symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, and wheezing. It can trigger asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart attacks, and abnormal heartbeats. Long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to the development of chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
Particle pollution, in particular, has been linked to a variety of respiratory health effects and premature mortality. Fine particles can reach the breathing sacs in the lungs and ultrafine particles can even cross into the bloodstream, carrying toxic chemicals linked to cancer. Short-term exposure to particle pollution has been associated with elevated morbidity and mortality, while long-term exposure can lead to decrements in lung function growth in children and increased respiratory symptoms in adults.
To reduce the risk of premature mortality from air pollution, it is important to take steps to minimize exposure. This includes reducing emissions from common sources of air pollution, such as household combustion devices, motor vehicles, and industrial facilities, and implementing policies to support sustainable practices and improve air quality. By addressing the sources of air pollution and taking preventive measures, we can reduce the severe health impacts and premature deaths caused by air pollution.
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Harm to children and older people
Air pollution is harmful to everyone, but children and older people are particularly vulnerable. Children are more at risk than adults because their bodies, organs, and immune systems are still developing, and their lungs are smaller. They also breathe faster, which means they inhale more air relative to their body weight, and therefore take in more polluted air. Children are also more likely to spend time outdoors being physically active, which can increase their exposure to ambient air pollution.
Children exposed to air pollution are at a greater risk of developing asthma, COPD, and other respiratory infections, including pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, and otitis media. Air pollution can also cause low birth weight, reduced lung function, allergies, and increased risks of adult chronic diseases. According to the World Health Organization, almost one million children under the age of five die from pneumonia every year, making it the leading cause of death for children worldwide.
Older people are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, especially if they have long-term lung conditions, heart disease, or are living with other chronic illnesses. As people age, their lungs' breathing ability gradually reduces, and their immune systems are less effective at protecting the lungs from inhaled contaminants, including air pollutants. Exposure to air pollution increases susceptibility to respiratory infections, increasing the risk of pneumonia and other serious illnesses.
Overall, air pollution poses significant risks to the health of children and older people, and it is important to take steps to reduce their exposure and protect their vulnerable lungs.
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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 that can be harmful to human health.
Air pollution can enter our bloodstream and contribute to coughing or itchy eyes. It can also cause or worsen many breathing and lung diseases, leading to hospitalizations, cancer, or even premature death.
Pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
Children are more vulnerable to air pollution as their lungs are still developing. Being exposed to pollution as a child increases the risk of developing asthma and COPD as an adult.
Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can impact the health of the fetus. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth and small for gestational age births.
