Greta Jimenez
Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects the health of people worldwide. While anyone can be impacted by inhaling pollutants, certain groups are more vulnerable than others. These include children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions. Additionally, socioeconomic factors play a significant role, with low-income communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with limited access to healthcare being disproportionately affected by air pollution and its adverse health consequences. People living in areas with high pollution levels, such as near busy highways or industrial sources, are also at a higher risk of health problems. The effects of air pollution range from coughing and itchy eyes to more severe issues like lung and heart disease, respiratory infections, and even premature death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People with pre-existing health conditions | Lung diseases (e.g. asthma, COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis), cardiovascular disease, diabetes |
| Age | Infants, young children, the elderly |
| Socioeconomic status | Low-income communities, people in poverty, people with less education, people with limited access to healthcare |
| Race/Ethnicity | Non-white populations, especially Black, Hispanic, and Asian |
| Occupation | People who work outdoors, people who work in occupations with high exposure to contaminated air |
| Lifestyle | People who smoke or are exposed to second-hand smoke, people who frequently breathe wood smoke, people who spend a lot of time near busy roadways |
| Location | People living in areas with high levels of air pollution, people living near industrial sources of pollution, people living in urban areas |
What You'll Learn
Pregnant women and children
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women who are exposed to air pollution are more likely to give birth prematurely and have small, low-birth-weight children. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can also cause neurodevelopmental issues and cognitive impairment in children and increase the risk of asthma and childhood cancer.
Children born to mothers exposed to high levels of air pollution may be at greater risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease later in life. A study in Durban, South Africa, found that increased levels of ambient air pollution were a major health concern. Recent studies also indicated that participants in South Durban are exposed to high levels of NOx.
Children
Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, from when they are in the womb to when they reach adulthood. Over 1,200 deaths in people under 18 years of age are estimated to be caused by air pollution every year in EEA member and collaborating countries.
Air pollution also causes low birth weight, asthma, reduced lung function, respiratory infections and allergies in children and adolescents, as well as increased risks of adult chronic diseases. Children's lung function and lung development are also affected by air pollution, especially by ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the short term, and by fine particles (PM2.5) in the long term.
Children spend many hours indoors at school and kindergartens, so measures to reduce indoor air pollution in those spaces are crucial to reducing their overall exposure.
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People from minority racial and ethnic groups
Several factors contribute to the higher exposure to air pollution among minority racial and ethnic groups. One factor is residential segregation, which has resulted in these groups living in areas with greater pollution sources, such as industry, agriculture, and vehicle emissions. Additionally, systemic racism and housing market dynamics have pushed people of color and pollution sources together. This means that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to live near major sources of pollution, increasing their exposure to harmful pollutants.
The health impacts of air pollution are more severe for minority racial and ethnic groups. Studies have found that these groups have a higher risk of premature death from particle pollution. For example, a study in New Jersey found that the risk of dying early from long-term exposure to particle pollution was higher in communities with larger African American populations. Additionally, minority racial and ethnic groups are more likely to suffer from existing health conditions that are exacerbated by air pollution, such as diabetes and asthma.
Socioeconomic status also plays a role in the impact of air pollution on minority racial and ethnic groups. Low-income communities, which often overlap with minority racial and ethnic groups, are more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of air pollution. They may have limited access to healthcare, healthy food options, and quality jobs, which can increase the risk of health issues related to air pollution.
Addressing these disparities requires strong, targeted air pollution reduction strategies that aim to reduce overall pollution levels and provide equal protection from environmental hazards for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income.
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People with low incomes
Socioeconomic position is closely tied to the harm from air pollution. Multiple large studies show evidence of this link. Low socioeconomic status consistently increased the risk of premature death from fine particle pollution among 13.2 million Medicare recipients studied in the largest examination of particle pollution-related mortality nationwide. In a 2008 study, researchers found a greater risk of premature death for communities with higher African American populations, higher unemployment, or higher use of public transportation. A separate study of Washington, DC, found that while poor air quality and worsened asthma went hand in hand in areas where Medicaid enrollment was high, the areas with the highest Medicaid enrollment did not always have the highest association of air pollution and asthma attacks.
The disparities in exposure to air pollution among low-income groups are not just limited to the United States. Globally, people living in low and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to air pollution due to higher levels of exposure and higher prevalence rates of diseases negatively affected by air pollution, such as asthma. Within these countries, the burden of disease falls most heavily on rural households. Lower-income households rely on fuels that they can freely gather, such as wood and dung, and more traditional inefficient cooking stoves, as they lack the resources to obtain cleaner fuels and devices.
The impact of air pollution on low-income households is not just limited to health risks. Energy poverty, caused by a reliance on inefficient household fuels and devices, limits the time available for income generation, schooling, and other opportunities for economic development. This creates a vicious cycle, where people are trapped in poverty, unable to access better livelihoods, education, and other paths out of poverty.
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People with pre-existing conditions
Air pollution also increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, and more severely affects people who are already ill. People with pre-existing cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk of health problems related to air pollution. The risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer is also elevated for this group.
Additionally, air pollution can worsen pre-existing lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The effects of air pollution on people with these conditions can lead to hospitalizations and, in some cases, even premature death.
The vulnerability to the impacts of air pollution can be influenced by age, with older adults being more susceptible to the health risks associated with air pollution. Furthermore, low-income communities and minority populations are disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to its adverse health effects. This is due to various factors, including proximity to industrial sources of pollution, underlying health issues, poor nutrition, and stress.
It is important to note that indoor air pollution can also have significant health impacts, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. Pollutants such as radon, smoke, lead dust, carbon monoxide, mold, and volatile organic compounds can contaminate indoor air and exacerbate existing health issues.
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The elderly
As people age, their bodies become less able to compensate for the effects of environmental hazards, and air pollution can have a significant impact on their health. Older adults are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution, which can aggravate existing health conditions and lead to serious consequences.
Several studies have shown that air pollution is linked to an increased risk of various health issues in the elderly, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Fine particle pollution, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone, have been identified as the most harmful pollutants for older adults. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as cardiovascular issues like heart attacks, strokes, and atrial fibrillation.
The impact of air pollution on the elderly is a growing concern, especially with the increasing proportion of older adults in the global population. It is crucial to address this issue and develop strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on this vulnerable group. This may include implementing policies to reduce air pollution, promoting healthy practices, and raising awareness about the risks associated with air pollution among older adults.
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Frequently asked questions
Everyone is affected by air pollution, but some groups are more vulnerable than others. These include children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing heart and lung disease.
Air pollution can worsen the health of people with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease. It can trigger asthma attacks, cause coughing and wheezing, and make it harder to breathe.
Yes, poorer people and some racial and ethnic groups, particularly non-whites and blacks, face higher exposure to air pollution and experience greater health risks. This is due to factors such as racism, class bias, housing market dynamics, and land costs.
While there is ongoing research to understand the specific health effects on pregnant women, air pollution has been linked to adverse reproductive outcomes and critical stages of development.
