Dirty air is a serious global problem. According to WHO, air pollution and its associated pollutants increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as some cancers. So much so that 6.7 million people die every year because of them.
What is air pollution
Air is considered polluted if it contains one or more pollutants in sufficient concentration in the form of dust, smoke, or gas, and they remain in the air for so long that they begin to harm human health.
Air pollution can be caused by various pollutants, which are generally divided into two broad types:
- Natural. This can be dust that is lifted into the air by hurricanes, smoke from forest fires, ash and gases that enter the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions, gases that are released during the decomposition of organic matter in the soil, such as methane.
- Anthropogenic, i.e. related to human industrial and domestic activities.
Air pollutants
- Suspended Particulate Matter
Suspended particulate matter concentration is often used as a proxy for air pollution levels. There is strong evidence that exposure to this pollutant adversely affects human health. The main components of suspended particulate matter are sulfates, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, soot, mineral dust, and water.
- Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, gasoline, charcoal, natural gas and kerosene.
- Ozone
Ground-level ozone – not to be confused with ozone in the upper atmosphere – is a major constituent of photochemical smog and is formed by reaction with gases in sunlight.
- Nitrogen dioxide
NO2 is a gas that is normally emitted when fuel is burned in transportation and industry.
- Sulfur dioxide
SO2 is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. It is produced when fossil fuels (coal and oil) are burned or when mineral ores containing sulfur are smelted.
Under what conditions air pollution can harm your health
It depends on four key factors:
1. The length of time people have been breathing dirty air.
A distinction is made between short-term exposure – from a few hours to a day – and long-term exposure, which can last for years or even a lifetime. Short-term exposure to air pollution is generally less dangerous for healthy adults. For example, if a person breathes smog for a few hours, it can cause headaches, coughing, irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth. But when he or she leaves the area of pollution, the unpleasant symptoms will pass and normal health will be restored.
2. The type of pollutant present in the air. Different substances in the air affect health in different ways:
- Large particulate matter builds up in the lungs and interferes with their function;
- Fine particulate matter goes deep into the lungs and from them penetrates into the blood, so that not only the respiratory system is affected, but also other organs, especially the cardiovascular system;
- Volatile organic compounds, nitrogen and sulphur oxides cause inflammation in the body and are carcinogens, i.e. they provoke cell mutations and increase the risk of cancer;
- Smog with high ozone content irritates mucous membranes and can damage them.
3. The concentration of harmful substances in the air. The higher it is, the more harmful it is to breathe.
4. The health status of the person affected by dirty air. Although breathing polluted air is harmful to everyone, it affects the most:
- People whose lungs are not yet sufficiently developed, i.e. children.
- Those whose lungs do not work well enough because of age or illness, i.e., the elderly and people with chronic heart and respiratory diseases.
How polluted air affects well-being
Air pollution has already been proven to be a risk factor for several chronic diseases and all-cause mortality.
- Air pollution and cardiovascular disease
Long-term observations of large groups of people have shown that short- and long-term exposure to air polluted with particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur oxides increases the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. The higher the concentration of pollutants in the air, the greater the risk of heart attack.
- Air pollution and respiratory disease
According to several observational studies, exposure to particulate matter, dust, smoke and organic compounds from the air is an important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. And long-term exposure to the same factors leads to pulmonary emphysema, a disease in which the alveoli irreversibly expand. Some scientists believe that gasoline combustion products also increase the risk of asthma in children and adults.
- Air pollution and cancer
There is increasing evidence that air pollution in general, and especially particulate matter, may be the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Each 10 µg increase in the concentration of fine particulate matter in air per 1 m³ increases lung cancer mortality among nonsmokers by 15-27%.
Conclusion
Air pollution is one of the most serious threats to human and environmental health. Studies have conclusively shown that long-term and short-term exposure to polluted air increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as some cancers. Children, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases are particularly vulnerable groups.
Combating air pollution requires a comprehensive approach that includes tightening environmental standards, reducing emissions from transportation and industry, developing renewable energy sources and raising public awareness. Each individual can also contribute to improving air quality by reducing the use of personal transportation, choosing clean energy sources and supporting environmental initiatives.
