What Modern Health Problems Directly Relate to Air Pollution?

Air pollution and health

Medical research has barely begun to touch the tip of the iceberg, with regard to modern health problems, directly related to air pollution.

What is air pollution?

Air pollution takes place when the atmosphere becomes contaminated with unusual chemicals, particles of matter or different kinds of biological material, not normally found in the atmospheric system. Pollutants can take the form of natural gases, like those erupting from a volcano or man-made gases like carbon monoxide, emitted from motor vehicles. They can also be liquids like chlorine or solid particles, like dust or ashes.

The atmosphere supports all life on earth and when its natural, gaseous system is compromised or destroyed by pollutants, ozone depletion takes place. Stratospheric changes affect the environment adversely and living organisms are affected, including human beings, as well as plant and animal life. Air pollution presents a serious threat to human health and life, because the ecosystems are interdependent and what affects one ecosystem adversely, affects others. (2)

What are some of the modern day health problems directly related to air pollution?

These may include asbestosis, which is an inflammatory lung condition that results from prolonged exposure to asbestos and causes dyspnea or shortness of breath. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs with asbestos exposure. While lung cancer is attributed to air pollution, there is growing concern about other kinds of cancer. Lung cancer may be suspected, where there are the symptoms a chronic cough and wheezing, associated with chest pain.

Another modern health problem related to air pollution has been identified as Legionaire's disease, associated with mold and dust contaminants found in air conditioning systems, particularly those that have become outdated.

Cardiopulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma are attributed to breathing fine particle air pollutants, like those inhaled when people are smoking.

Pneumonia and other lung diseases may be attributed to air pollution, in conjunction with other infectious elements.

Respiratory allergies are common in highly polluted areas.

Children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, demonstrate increased mucous hyper-secretion when living in highly polluted areas. Other children may manifest increasing evidence of the symptoms of asthma, croup, pneumonia or other lung infections. Newborn infants living in highly polluted areas, may have a low birth weight.

Symptoms of exposure to air pollution can include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, reduced lung function and increased mucous production.

In terms of cardiovascular disease, there may be vascular dysfunction, thrombus formation or heart attacks that lead to premature deaths, a result of air pollution. (2)

There are those who suggest that only the respiratory and the cardiovascular system of the human body are directly affected by air pollution. When one considers the human body as a whole, if one part of the body is affected in a negative way by air pollution, the rest of the body may be adversely affected, as well.

This is because both the blood and the oxygen travel throughout the entire body and when they are exposed to pollutants, damage can occur to other parts of the body. This includes damage to other systems, like the nervous system, which is highly vulnerable to chemical exposure. Any part of the digestive system can be affected and so can the circulatory system.

The people who are at the highest risk for having problems associated with air pollution, appear to be the elderly and those with pre-existing cardio-respiratory problems. Children and newborns are highly susceptible to medical problems related to air pollution, because of their body size and body weight, in relation to their air intake. (3)

Age, health status and genetics all play an important role with respect to individual reactions to air pollution, but other factors like the nature of the pollutant and the degree of exposure must be considered. (4)

It becomes increasingly important for each person to protect himself or herself from exposure to air pollution, although that is not always possible.

Ongoing education about modern health problems, directly related to air pollution is crucial to protect the health of people everywhere. It is also increasingly important for the causes of air pollution to be identified and eliminated wherever possible.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution

(2) http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/air/out-ext/effe/health_effects-effets_sante-eng.php#a5

(3) Ibid.

(4) Ibid.