Pollution causes more than 8.8 million deaths each year.
Air pollution is currently considered a health risk that affects us globally.
Despite being invisible at ground level, about 90% of people living in cities are exposed to levels of pollution much higher than those recommended by health authorities.
To better understand the effects of pollution, in this article we are going to explain various effects that it has on people’s health. The years of life lost, deaths and illnesses caused by pollution cause immense social, personal and economic damage on a global scale.
Why is the air polluted?
Pollution levels in the air are due to multiple factors. Activities such as driving or using fossil fuels for heating or cooking will be the main causes of air pollution to which we are exposed.
This air pollution is mainly made up of gases that are harmful to our health, such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone or carbon monoxide, in addition to microparticles that have also been confirmed to have negative health effects, which we will comment on in this article.
These microparticles, also known as particulate matter (PM), are made up of a multitude of small-sized agents, with varied characteristics that depend on their origin, and whose levels depend on industrial activities and human transport.
The most worrying are the well-known PM10 and PM2.5. These are particles whose size is less than 10 and 2.5 micrometers in diameter, respectively . Bearing in mind that the width of a human hair is about 100 micrometers, we can put the tiny size of this pollutant into perspective.
Of these, PM2.5 is the most alarming . This type of particulate matter comes mainly from the combustion of diesel, but it also has other origins that vary according to the population studied. Its tiny size makes its effects on our health more severe.
7 effects of pollution on people’s health
We explain some of the specific effects of air pollution on people’s health, to illustrate the seriousness of this health problem.
1. Increases the risk of cardiovascular disease
Pollution is responsible for part of the increased occurrence of cardiovascular disorders. Ischemic heart disease and heart attacks account for about 80% of deaths caused by environmental pollution. It also increases the risk of stroke, hypertension and heart failure.
Long-term exposure to particulate matter in the air is also linked to an increase in atherosclerosis, which is related to various heart and circulatory problems.
2. Causes respiratory conditions
Pollution causes an increase in respiratory conditions such as asthma, infections or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which represents 11% of deaths caused by pollution.
Exposure to high levels of particulate matter in childhood decreases lung capacity as well as increases the risk of infections and pneumonia.
- You could also read: “The 10 leading causes of death in the world”
3. Affects the health of neonates
The exposure of pregnant women and newborns, especially those premature , to high levels of pollution translates into various health problems for infants.
The effects of pollution on newborns range from greater respiratory difficulties, inflammation of the airways and greater susceptibility to respiratory infections.
4. Affects cognitive functions
Especially in the elderly, pollution levels are linked to a decline in cognitive quality .
It can also affect the neurodevelopment of children. Studies carried out in nursing homes found that the effects of neurodegeneration increased according to the proximity of the center to a road with heavy traffic.
5. Increases the risk of diabetes
Both PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide have been shown to cause diabetes, although the causes are not conclusively determined.
The oxidative stress that particulate matter exerts on our bodies is believed to be the main culprit behind this increased risk of diabetes.
6. Increases the risk of lung cancer
The constant inflammatory stress added to the probable effects of oxidative stress make air pollution a more prevalent cause of lung cancer than cases caused by passive smoking.
7. Decreases life expectancy
To summarize the impact of environmental pollution on health, we can look at data from the World Health Organization that summarizes the main causes of mortality derived from environmental pollution at a global level:
- Causes 29% of lung cancer
- 17% of deaths from respiratory infections
- 24% of deaths from heart attack
- 25% of deaths and ischemic heart disease
- 43% of deaths and cases of COPD
Pollution Impact
More than 800,000 people die in Europe each year from air pollution . Its impact on the length and quality of life is undeniable, calculating its cost to society in the trillions. The loss of years of life, productivity and active population make pollution one of the biggest health problems we face today.
Unlike other types of pollution, such as the mythical London “smog” of the industrial revolution, the fact that it is invisible on a day-to-day basis means that many of us are not aware that the very air we breathe can cause or aggravate various life-threatening health problems.
The increase in road traffic, especially in densely populated areas, as well as the activity of certain electrical industries based on the combustion of fossil fuels are the main causes of the increase in air pollution. The use of public transport or bicycles can help stop it, but efforts are needed at the government level to stop this epidemic that we have caused.
Bibliographic references
- Kelly, FJ, & Fussell, JC (2015). Air pollution and public health: emerging hazards and improved understanding of risk. Environmental geochemistry and health, 37(4), 631–649. doi:10.1007/s10653-015-9720-1
- WHO data on environmental pollution. Retrieved 07/10/2019 from https://www.who.int/airpollution/en/
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.