Kiera Jefferson
Air pollution is a serious global health threat, causing an estimated 6.7 million premature deaths annually. It is the second highest risk factor for non-communicable diseases, and is linked to respiratory issues, heart disease, lung cancer, strokes, and more. The burden of air pollution is disproportionately shouldered by low- and middle-income countries, with 89% of premature deaths occurring in these regions. Within these countries, certain groups are more vulnerable than others, with people of colour and people with lower incomes facing higher exposure to pollutants and greater health risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geographic areas | Low- and middle-income countries, especially in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions |
| Demographic groups | Poorer people, people of color, and some racial and ethnic groups |
| Other factors | Living near major sources of pollution, lower education, low social position, lack of access to healthcare, and existing health conditions |
What You'll Learn
Low-income countries
People in low-income countries are at high risk of air pollution due to several factors. Firstly, indoor pollution rates tend to be high in low-income countries due to a reliance on solid fuels, such as charcoal, kerosene, or firewood, for cooking, lighting, and heating. This is especially true in rural areas and informal settlements, where alternative fuels or technologies are often unaffordable. In addition, households in low-income countries often use traditional, inefficient cooking stoves, further contributing to indoor air pollution. As a result, indoor air pollution disproportionately affects low-income groups, with serious health consequences.
Low-income groups are also more vulnerable to the effects of outdoor air pollution. They are more likely to live near busy highways or roads, work in outdoor physical labor, and reside in areas with weak or unenforced environmental laws, stringent vehicle emission standards, and prevalent coal power stations. These factors contribute to higher exposure to outdoor air pollution among low-income populations.
Furthermore, low-income countries tend to have less developed healthcare systems, exacerbating the impact of air pollution on health. The interplay between pollution, exposure, and poverty highlights the vulnerability of affected populations in these countries. As a result, air pollution-related mortality is often higher in low-income households, even when exposed to the same pollution levels as higher-income households.
Geographically, several regions are particularly affected by air pollution in low-income countries. These include Sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, the Western Pacific, Central and South America, Western and Middle Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central, South, and East Asia. Within these regions, rural households and those living in poverty bear the brunt of health complications from indoor and outdoor air pollution.
To address these issues, interventions such as providing access to cleaner fuels and technologies, improving healthcare access and quality, and implementing policies to reduce air pollution are crucial. Additionally, initiatives like the Breathe Life campaign aim to raise awareness and promote actions to reduce air pollution and its impact on vulnerable populations in low-income countries.
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People of colour
The disparity in exposure to air pollution for people of colour is driven by systemic racism and housing policies, which have resulted in racial and ethnic exposure disparities. Racial and ethnic groups often face higher exposure to pollutants and may experience greater responses to such pollution. For example, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics were more likely to live in counties with worse problems with particle and ozone pollution. Unemployed people, those with low incomes, low education levels, and non-Hispanic blacks were also found to be more likely to live in areas with higher exposures to particle pollution.
Communities of colour across the United States are shouldering a growing burden of diseases linked to air pollution, such as asthma. They endure nearly eight times higher rates of pediatric asthma and 1.3 times higher risk of dying prematurely from exposure to pollutants. The health disparities from exposure to these pollutants are larger than the disparities in exposure, and they widened over the last decade, even as overall pollution levels fell.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) air quality standards have been criticised for not adequately protecting Americans, especially the most marginalised communities. The EPA has acknowledged the issue and is working to address environmental injustice for people of colour exposed to air pollution from multiple source types.
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People with pre-existing health conditions
Air pollution can also trigger asthma attacks, as seen in children living near busy roads or in high-ozone areas. Additionally, those exposed to high levels of air pollutants during childhood are more prone to developing bronchitis symptoms in adulthood. The impact of air pollution on respiratory health is not limited to asthma and bronchitis. Long-term exposure to air pollution, especially to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide, has been linked to an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
The detrimental effects of air pollution extend beyond respiratory health. It has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders, including glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, and diabetes. There is also evidence of potential harm to the central nervous system, including brain inflammation, structural changes, and an increased risk of cognitive decline. Furthermore, air pollution exposure during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of postpartum depression and preterm birth.
The impact of air pollution on individuals with pre-existing health conditions is not limited to physical health. It can also exacerbate mental health issues. For example, in regions with higher levels of PM2.5, there is an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Overall, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, particularly those with heart and lung diseases, are more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of air pollution, which can worsen their symptoms, increase medication needs, and lead to adverse health outcomes.
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People living in industrial areas
Residents living near industrial complexes have a higher risk of developing acute and chronic diseases. Studies have shown a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, acute eye disorders, and lung and uterine cancer among these populations. The air pollutants released by industrial activities can irritate and infect the respiratory tract, leading to increased coughing and sputum production. Additionally, the oxidative stress caused by air pollutants can damage proteins, lipids, cellular membranes, and DNA, resulting in genomic instability and the mutation of normal cells into malignant ones.
The impact of industrial air pollution is not limited to those residing in immediate proximity to industrial complexes. The wind can carry pollutants over long distances, affecting nearby cities and rural areas. People who live or work near busy highways or spend time outdoors are also at higher risk due to traffic pollution. Outdoor laborers, including migrant and seasonal farmworkers, are particularly vulnerable to air pollution and often lack the political power to advocate for their right to breathe clean air.
Low-income countries and communities bear a disproportionate burden of industrial air pollution. This is due to a combination of factors, including inadequate laws and regulations, poor enforcement of environmental standards, and a reliance on solid fuels for cooking, which contributes to indoor air pollution. Additionally, historically marginalized communities, particularly communities of color, have been disproportionately affected by air pollution due to racist zoning policies and discriminatory lending practices that have concentrated polluting industries in their neighborhoods.
To mitigate the risks of industrial air pollution, it is crucial to implement and enforce environmental regulations, adopt cleaner and more sustainable practices, and prioritize land use and public health reforms to ensure that vulnerable areas receive the necessary resources. By addressing these issues, we can reduce the health and environmental risks associated with industrial air pollution and improve the quality of life for people living in these affected areas.
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Children and older adults
Children are more susceptible to the adverse health effects of air pollution because their bodies are still developing. They breathe faster and more through their mouths, taking in more air relative to their body weight. They also spend more time outdoors and closer to the ground, where the concentration of pollutants from traffic exhausts is higher. Furthermore, children's developing immune systems are weaker, making them more vulnerable to infections and allergies. Air pollution has been linked to respiratory infections, asthma, cognitive developmental issues, and lifelong health problems in children. It is also associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer and pneumonia, which accounts for 22% of deaths in children between the ages of 1 and 5.
In 2024, the State of Global Air reported that air pollution contributed to approximately 709,000 deaths in children under 5 years old, with over 70% of these deaths attributed to household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels. The highest number of deaths were reported in Africa and South Asia.
Older adults are also at significant risk from air pollution, as their bodies are less able to compensate for the harmful impacts of environmental hazards. Fine particle pollution, especially PM 2.5, and ozone, even at low levels, have been linked to adverse health outcomes in this demographic. Air pollution aggravates existing health conditions such as heart disease, lung diseases, and diabetes in older adults, leading to increased medication use, healthcare visits, and hospitalizations.
Both children and older adults are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution due to their physiological characteristics and are, therefore, at a higher risk of suffering from its adverse health consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
According to WHO data, almost the entire global population (99%) breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits. However, those in low- and middle-income countries suffer from the highest exposures. Within these countries, certain groups face greater exposure to air pollution due to factors such as racism, class bias, housing market dynamics, and land costs. Specifically, non-white populations, especially Black populations, are at a higher risk of the health effects of air pollution.
Air pollution is a major threat to health across the globe. It is one of the leading risk factors for death and contributes to about one in ten deaths globally. It is associated with respiratory and other diseases, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires are common sources of air pollution.
Low-income countries often rely on solid fuels for cooking, leading to high indoor pollution rates. As countries industrialize and shift from low to middle incomes, outdoor air pollution tends to increase.
People of color and certain racial and ethnic groups, especially Black populations, face higher exposure to pollutants and are more susceptible to the health effects of air pollution due to systemic factors such as racism and class bias.
Poorer people, those with less education, and those living near major sources of pollution are among those who face higher exposure to air pollution and its health effects.
