Air pollution appears to cause or contribute to a variety of health conditions. The effects of air pollution on a person’s health can range from mild breathing difficulties to severe cardiovascular issues, including heart disease and stroke.
Harmful gasses and particles in the air come from a range of sources, including exhaust fumes from vehicles, smoke from burning coal or gas, and tobacco smoke.
There are ways to limit the effects of air pollution on health, such as avoiding areas with heavy traffic. However, significant change relies on improvements to air quality on a global scale.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is known to be detrimental to health.
However, the risk associated with lower pollution levels – outside of towns and cities, for example – has rarely been studied.
A new, large-scale study shows that even “safe” levels can reduce lifespan.
Over the past few decades, as global air pollution levels have risen, their effects on human health have become a major focus of research.
Earlier studiesTrusted Source have repeatedly shown that air pollution can increase the risk of various illnesses and premature death.
However, these previous studies have focused primarily on urban settings, in which air pollution is generally higher.
Information on the effects of air pollution levels below those set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) is sparse.
A study, published today in The New England Journal of Medicine examines the interaction between levels of air pollution and mortality in unprecedented detail.
Here are diseases caused by air pollution.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Exposure to particle pollutants may cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the WHO, air pollution causes 43% of COPD cases and deaths worldwide.
COPD is a group of diseases that cause breathing-related difficulties, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These diseases block the airways and make it difficult for a person to breathe.
There is no cure for COPD, but treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Cardiovascular Disease
Research shows that living in an area with higher levels of air pollution may increase the risk of death from stroke. Air pollution may trigger stroke and heart attacks.
A 2018 reviewTrusted Source notes that the Global Burden of Disease Study estimated air pollution to be responsible for 19% of cardiovascular deaths in 2015. It was also the cause of about 21% of deaths due to stroke and 24% of deaths from coronary heart disease.
Lung Cancer
According to the WHO, air pollution causes 29% of all lung cancer cases and deaths.
Particle pollutants are likely to contribute to this figure significantlyTrusted Source as their small size allows them to reach the lower respiratory tract.
Premature Death
Science shows that both short-term and long-term exposure to unhealthy air can shorten your life and lead to premature death.
Worsened COPD Symptoms
Exposure to air pollution can make it even harder for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to breathe. Severe symptoms can lead to hospitalization and even death.
Asthma Attacks
Breathing ozone and particle pollution can lead to increased asthma attacks, which can result in visits to the emergency room and hospital admissions, not to mention missed work and school.
Low Infant Birth Weight
Some studies show exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of low infant birth weight and infant mortality.
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