Consequences of air pollution on human health?

L’air pollution – and the consequences on humans and the environment it entails – is one of the most critical problems of our time. It is the flip side of industrialization and the development of transportation which, on the one hand, have led to significant economic growth, but on the other have triggered a series of negative consequences for those who live in urban centers, and not only. These are contexts in which the air we breathe is no longer just a natural element, but a vehicle for harmful pollutants that threaten our health in all respects. Below we will delve deeper What are the health consequences of breathing polluted air?.

Air pollution

As reported on the WHO website, “air pollution is the contamination of the internal or external environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere”. Among the pollutants most dangerous to human health are particulate matter (i.e. the air pollutant that causes the most significant health problems and premature mortality), carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. The worrying fact is that 99% of the world’s population breathes air that exceeds the limits of the WHO guidelines.

Consequences of air pollution on health

The effects, as we were saying, are worrying. What are the diseases caused by pollution?? It is enough for you to know that atmospheric pollution is one of the main causes of premature death and disease (especially heart disease and strokefollowed by lung disease and lung cancer).

According to theWorld Health Organization there would be a link between exposure to air pollution and type 2 diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. But also with tumors, as demonstrated by studies carried out by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. However, it would seem that the severity of the consequences is not always directly proportional to the duration of exposure. Often, what makes the difference is the vulnerability of the subjects. These include the elderly, for example, but also children or those who suffer from previous health problems.

Diseases caused by air pollution

While outdoor air pollution is increasingly causing strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and acute and chronic respiratory diseases, indoor air pollution is no exception, affecting approximately 2.4 billion people. The most common diseases linked to pollution are:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Neurological disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Kidney Diseases
• Liver Diseases
• Skin diseases
• Asma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Bronchitis

In particular, exposure to air pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone can cause or worsen respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Air pollution is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Some air pollutants, such as benzene and ultrafine particles, have been linked to the risk of developing various forms of cancer, including lung cancer. Exposure to air pollutants can have negative effects on the nervous system, leading to the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

In children, it can limit the growth of lung function and reduce it in adults. During pregnancy, one of the most delicate periods of all, women exposed to air pollution may experience an increased risk of complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight, as well as asthma. More generally, this phenomenon is associated with a reduction in life expectancy.

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