The Most At Risk: Air Pollution's Vulnerable Victims

Air pollution is a serious health threat, with almost all of the global population (99%) breathing air that exceeds the World Health Organization's guideline limits. While outdoor air pollution is unhealthy for everyone, certain groups are more vulnerable than others. These include children, older adults, pregnant people, people with lung diseases, people of colour, and people with low incomes. People living in low- and middle-income countries are typically more vulnerable due to higher levels of exposure and a higher prevalence of diseases negatively affected by air pollution, such as asthma. Additionally, populations living near busy highways or roads, in slums, or lacking access to clean cooking fuels and technologies are more susceptible to the adverse impacts of air pollution.

Children and babies

Secondly, children's immune systems are still maturing, making them more susceptible to infections and respiratory illnesses. Their bodies are less effective at fighting off infections, and they are more likely to suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma, lower respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia. According to the World Health Organization, pneumonia alone is responsible for the deaths of nearly one million children under the age of five each year, making it the leading cause of childhood deaths globally.

The developmental stage of children and babies also makes them particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of air pollution. Exposure to polluted air during this critical period can hinder lung growth and development, leading to impaired lung function and an increased risk of lung disease later in life. Additionally, air pollution can negatively impact brain development, potentially causing cognitive impairments and other lifelong health problems.

Furthermore, children spend more time outdoors engaging in physical activities, which increases their exposure to air pollutants, especially on days with poor air quality. Their height also plays a role in their vulnerability, as they are closer to the ground and, consequently, closer to the exhaust pipes of vehicles, especially in urban areas. This proximity to vehicle emissions further elevates their exposure to harmful pollutants.

The impact of air pollution on children and babies extends beyond physical health. Studies have shown that pollution can affect school attendance, cause attention problems, and impair cognitive development. UNICEF has emphasized the critical importance of good air quality for children's development, highlighting the need for targeted measures to address this issue.

It is worth noting that the vulnerability of children and babies to air pollution is not limited to a specific geographical region. However, the magnitude of risk varies depending on factors such as the source of pollution, duration of exposure, and concentration levels. Children in developing countries often face higher risks due to a combination of poor nutrition, inadequate healthcare, and higher levels of air pollution.

Pregnant people

Exposure to air pollution is a serious health risk for pregnant people and their babies. The fetus is particularly susceptible to environmental contaminants as it is developing, and air pollution can interfere with organ development and organogenesis.

A study in Beijing, a city with some of the worst air pollution in the world, found that women who were in their eighth month of pregnancy during the 2008 Olympics delivered babies who were heavier than those born during the same calendar months in previous years. This was a period when the city was mandated to lower emissions and improve air quality. A similar study in Stockholm found that nearly three million babies are born prematurely each year because of air pollution.

The health implications of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy include low birth weight, early birth, and improper immune system development. Air pollution during pregnancy has also been linked to infant and child lung function impairment, an increase in respiratory symptoms, and the advent of childhood asthma. Exposure to air pollution can also increase the risk of preeclampsia, a condition that causes elevated blood pressure and decreased function of the liver and kidneys. It can also cause a lack of oxygen for the baby, leading to poor growth, premature birth, and low birth weight.

To reduce the harmful effects of air pollution during pregnancy, pregnant people can stay indoors as much as possible, wear face coverings when outdoors, and use quality air filters and air purifiers.

Low-income households

Secondly, income inequality is linked to energy poverty, with lower-income households relying on fuels like wood, dung, charcoal, kerosene, and firewood for cooking and lighting. These fuels, along with the use of inefficient cooking stoves, contribute to indoor air pollution and increase exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants within the home. This is particularly detrimental to women and children in these households, who are often responsible for domestic tasks involving energy provision and cooking, leading to higher rates of exposure and associated health risks.

Thirdly, low-income households often face constraints in accessing quality and affordable healthcare. This means that when health issues arise due to air pollution exposure, they may have limited options for treatment and prevention. Lower rates of health coverage and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in low-income areas further exacerbate the impact of air pollution on vulnerable communities.

Additionally, low-paying jobs are often physically demanding and require outdoor labor, which increases exposure to air pollutants. The combination of higher exposure and limited access to healthcare places low-income households at a significantly higher risk of pollution-related illnesses and premature death.

Furthermore, low-income communities may experience psychosocial distress and chronic stress due to a lack of safety, green spaces, and access to high-quality food. These factors can make individuals more vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution. Overall, the intersection of socioeconomic inequalities and environmental injustices contributes to the heightened vulnerability of low-income households to the detrimental impacts of air pollution.

People of colour

African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and other people of colour are disproportionately exposed to a regulated air pollutant called fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This type of pollution is harmful to health, causing lung and heart problems, especially in those with chronic diseases, younger people, older people, and other vulnerable populations. The higher exposure to PM2.5 among people of colour is due to various factors, including systemic racism, housing policies, and other socio-economic factors.

Communities of colour are more likely to live near busy roadways, industrial facilities, power plants, and other hazardous pollution sources. These areas tend to have poorer air quality due to the complex mixture of harmful pollutants emitted by vehicles, industrial activities, and other sources. The close proximity of people of colour to these pollution sources increases their exposure and subsequent health risks.

Additionally, people of colour may experience greater health impacts from air pollution due to underlying health conditions, psychosocial distress, and chronic stress, which are more prevalent in these communities. The lack of access to quality healthcare and the socio-economic disparities faced by these communities further contribute to their increased vulnerability to the adverse effects of air pollution.

Addressing these disparities requires effective regulations and interventions that specifically target environmental injustices faced by people of colour. It is crucial to ensure equal access to clean air and mitigate the disproportionate impact of air pollution on vulnerable communities of colour.

The elderly

Outdoor air pollution is unhealthy for everyone, but certain groups are more vulnerable to its effects than others. One of these vulnerable groups is the elderly.

Ageing is a process of progressive decline in the body's function, leading to increased vulnerability, frailty, and sensitivity in older adults. As people age, their immune system weakens, making them more susceptible to infections and diseases. Additionally, reduced lung function is a natural part of ageing, and exposure to air pollutants can exacerbate this impairment, especially in those with pre-existing or comorbid conditions.

Research has shown that air pollution is linked to decreased cognitive performance in older adults. It is also associated with an increased risk of certain diseases, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and acute respiratory infections. Elderly individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis (CB), or emphysema, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.

The impact of air pollution on the elderly is evident in the increased mortality, hospital admissions, and emergency room visits due to exacerbations of chronic diseases and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia. Elderly people with a history of frailty or multi-system decline are even more susceptible to the detrimental effects of air pollution on their lung function.

Furthermore, climate change enhances conditions for ozone pollution and makes it harder to improve air quality in communities with high ozone levels. As a result, older adults, especially those with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, face increased health risks from air pollution during physical activities.

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