Air Pollution's Victims: Who Suffers From Poor Air Quality?

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects people from all walks of life, but it is important to recognize that certain individuals and communities bear the brunt of its adverse effects more than others. Research has consistently shown that low-income communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and people in specific age groups are disproportionately impacted by poor air quality. Factors such as proximity to industrial sources, underlying health conditions, and social inequalities contribute to heightened health risks for these vulnerable populations. Furthermore, people living in low and middle-income countries, particularly in areas with high pollution levels and a high prevalence of respiratory diseases, tend to be more susceptible to the detrimental consequences of air pollution.

Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions

Children are more susceptible to air pollution as their bodies and organs, including their lungs and immune systems, are still developing. They also tend to spend more time outdoors and are more physically active, potentially increasing their exposure to ambient air pollution. In addition, children breathe faster and inhale a larger fraction of air through their mouths, which means pollution penetrates deeper into their lower respiratory tract. As a result, air pollution can cause low birth weight, asthma, reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and allergies in children, as well as increase the risk of adult chronic diseases.

As people age, their bodies become less able to compensate for the effects of environmental hazards. For older adults, air pollution can aggravate heart disease, lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and diabetes. It can also lead to increased medication use, more visits to healthcare providers, and even death. Fine particle pollution has been linked to premature death, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and the development of chronic bronchitis in the elderly.

People with pre-existing conditions, such as lung diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and cardiovascular disease, are at a higher risk of adverse health effects from air pollution. Air pollution can make it harder for them to breathe, trigger asthma attacks, cause wheezing and coughing, and increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

People in low-socioeconomic areas

Several studies have found a link between socioeconomic status and the health risks associated with air pollution. Lower socioeconomic status consistently increases the risk of premature death from fine particle pollution. Additionally, people in low-socioeconomic areas often lack access to healthcare, have limited access to healthy food options, and may experience higher levels of stress due to their socioeconomic situation, all of which can exacerbate the health impacts of air pollution.

Furthermore, industries and transportation corridors that contribute significantly to air pollution are often located in or near low-income communities. This leads to a decline in property values and reinforces the status of these areas as low-income neighborhoods. The combination of higher exposure to air pollution and limited access to healthcare results in increased air pollution-related mortality among low-income groups.

Addressing these disparities requires targeted measures to reduce pollution, improve healthcare access, and promote the adoption of cleaner technologies in these communities.

Racial and ethnic minorities

People of colour are disproportionately affected by air pollution. In the United States, people of colour breathe more particulate air pollution on average, regardless of income level or region. This includes African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and other people of colour. Research has shown that certain groups in the US—Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Latinos, and low-income populations—are exposed to higher levels of dangerous fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) than other groups.

The American Lung Association has found that non-white populations, especially Blacks, face a higher risk from particle pollution. Recent studies have shown that those living in predominantly Black or African American communities suffer a greater risk of premature death from particle pollution than those living in predominantly white communities. Another large study found that Hispanics and Asians, but especially Blacks, had a higher risk of premature death from particle pollution than whites. This study found that income was not the driving factor behind these differences. Higher-income Blacks who had higher incomes than many whites still faced a greater risk, suggesting that other factors, such as chronic stress as a result of discrimination, may be at play.

Socioeconomic position also appears tied to greater 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 and for people living in areas with higher unemployment or higher use of public transportation.

Scientists have speculated that there are three broad reasons why these disparities may exist. Firstly, groups may face greater exposure to pollution because of factors ranging from racism to class bias to housing market dynamics and land costs. Pollution sources tend to be located near disadvantaged communities, increasing exposure to harmful pollutants. Secondly, low social position may make some groups more susceptible to health threats because of factors related to their disadvantage, such as lack of access to healthcare, poorer job opportunities, and higher traffic exposure. Finally, existing health conditions, behaviours, or traits may predispose some groups to greater risk. For example, people of colour are among the groups most at risk from air pollutants, and the elderly, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and people living near a central city have a higher incidence of diabetes.

Pregnant women

Air pollution can increase the risk of preterm labour, which in turn increases the risk of low birth weight, underdeveloped lungs, and death of the baby during or shortly after birth. It is also associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, particularly during the third trimester, and can cause babies to be born unusually small. These outcomes are linked to developmental delays, health issues, and an increased risk of death after birth.

In addition to these direct effects on the baby, exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can also lead to pregnancy-related complications in the mother, such as preeclampsia and high blood pressure, which may necessitate an early birth.

Research has also found links between air pollution and fertility problems, with studies determining that air pollution contributes to lower fertility rates in both men and women, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage.

Furthermore, air pollution may affect lung development in the baby, both directly and indirectly through preterm labour. Exposure to air pollution is also associated with a higher risk of longer-term respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergies, in the child.

While the specific effects of air pollution depend on factors such as the timing and duration of exposure, the type of pollutant, and individual risk factors, it is clear that pregnant women and their babies face serious health risks from air pollution.

People living in low- and middle-income countries

In low- and middle-income countries, air pollution is closely linked to poverty. People living in poverty tend to rely on jobs that require outdoor physical labor, which increases their exposure to air pollution. They also have limited access to adequate and affordable healthcare, making them more vulnerable to the health risks associated with air pollution.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, 405 million people living on less than $1.90 per day are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution. This is partly due to a lack of access to cleaner fuels and more efficient cooking stoves, as well as the prevalence of traditional cooking methods that rely on wood, charcoal, or kerosene.

The health risks associated with air pollution are particularly acute for women and children in low- and middle-income countries. They are more likely to be responsible for domestic tasks such as cooking and fuel collection, which increases their exposure to indoor air pollution. Additionally, the time spent on these tasks can limit their access to education and income-generating opportunities.

To address these disparities, targeted measures are needed to reduce the pollution intensity of economic growth and improve access to affordable and adequate healthcare in highly affected areas.

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