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Air Pollution
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is 'a mix of particles and gases that can reach harmful concentrations both outdoors and indoors'. Ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and particle pollution/particulate matter are five of the main outdoor pollutants. These can also contribute to indoor pollution, alongside radon, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), formaldehyde and asbestos. Soot, mould, pollen, methane, and smoke are examples of other common pollutants.
The Health Effects of Air Pollution
Recent research reveals that air pollution may be damaging every cell and organ in the human body, leading to impacts ranging from life-long struggles with asthma to premature death.
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An estimate of 8.8 million people die prematurely each year due to exposure to outdoor air pollution. The World Health Organisation claims that 90% of these deaths occur in low- or middle-income countries. Recent research also suggests that people who are exposed to outdoor air pollution, lose an average of 3 years of life.
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The reason for the health risks associated with air pollution stems from particulate matters' ability to enter a person's lungs. From there, pollutants can cross into the bloodstream and be carried around the body. This means that air pollution has an impact on every cell and organ connected to the lungs and bloodstream.
The evolutionary history of immune cells also plays a part in the body's response to pollutants. Immune cells have evolved to release enzymes and acids to kill bacteria once it enters the body and defend it against infections. However, as the human body is unfamiliar with pollutants, it perceives it as bacteria and immune cells, therefore, begin to try and remove the imaginary infection. As there is no infection, enzymes and acids are released into the body for an invalid reason.
When particulate matter enters the lungs, breathing problems from asthma, emphysema and lung cancer can develop. Heart attacks have also been linked to air pollution, as it can cause arteries to narrow and muscles to weaken.
Skin and Bones
Pollutants can escalate the ageing of the skin, cause brittle bones and generate hives.
Evidence suggests that particulate matter can travel through the olfactory nerve into the brain and affect how genes function. Other health effects include stroke, dementia, reduced intelligence, and poor sleep.
Kidney and bladder cancer, fatty liver disease, increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome, Chron's disease, and diabetes have all been linked to air pollution.
Adults may experience reduced fertility as a result of air pollution and women may be at a greater risk of miscarriage. Researchers have also found pollutants in placentas - the organ that provides fetuses with nourishment.
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Babies may be born with a low birth weight, which can lead to lifelong consequences if they are exposed to air pollution as fetuses. Children's risk of childhood obesity, stunted lungs, leukaemia, and mental health problems also increase due to poor air quality.
The Environmental Impact of Air Pollution
Each pollutant has different effects on the environment. Carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes substantially to climate change. Methane is responsible for 25% of global heating and weighs 25 tonnes more than carbon dioxide. The gas derives from livestock, landfills, agriculture and the fossil fuel and natural gas industry. Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain and keeps sunlight out of the atmosphere, creating a cooling effect that can last for years. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) has been banned in multiple countries as it contributes to the deterioration of the ozone layer. These pollutants have been used in refrigerators and hair sprays. The exact effect of specific pollutants can be found here!