Air pollution is not only something that damages the environment but also something that is hazardous to our health. This article, written by Sophia Paessens, explores the different ways air pollution has an impact on human health, and the populations that encounter these problems the most. Air pollution is defined by National Geographic as the presence of chemicals or particles in the air that are harmful to human, animal, and plant health (“Air Pollution” [National Geographic]). This pollution can be caused in many ways, most being anthropogenic (caused by humans). The major anthropogenic sources of air pollution include the smoke from burning waste, factory and vehicle emissions, and burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil for fuel. There are also natural sources of air pollution. These include the smoke from wildfires, ash from volcanic eruptions, and gases emitted by decomposing organic matter. Though air pollution has a negative impact on the environment, it can also have a variety of health implications on humans. Humans with exposure to air pollution can experience many health effects as a result. These can be both short-term and long-term effects. The short-term effects someone may experience are eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation. Someone may also feel dizziness, nausea, and get headaches. Someone can even get illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia. The long-term effects someone may encounter include respiratory infections, heart disease, and even lung cancer (“Air Pollution” [National Geographic]). Air pollution can also cause long-lasting damage to a person’s nerves, and organs such as their kidneys, liver, and brain. In many cases, these longer-term effects lead to death. The diagram on the left shows the statistics of how many deaths related to the previously mentioned long-term effects air pollution is responsible for. According to the World Heart Federation, air pollution causes 29% of lung cancer deaths, 24% of deaths from strokes, 25% of deaths from heart disease, and 43% of deaths from lung disease (Deaths Caused). Ambient air pollution is also responsible for 4.2 million deaths from these illnesses yearly (“Air Pollution” [World Health Organization]). According to World Health Organization data, 9 out of 10 people (90% of people) breathe air that exceeds their guideline limits of containing high pollution levels (“Air Pollution” [World Health Organization]). Even though this statistic shows that air pollution affects almost everyone, air pollution has a larger impact on urban area populations. This is because there are more polluting vehicles and fuels. Though these urban populations face more exposure to air pollution, it does not mean they are impacted the most.
The populations more susceptible to the effects of air pollution include unborn babies, children, and older adults. Babies who had large amounts of prenatal exposure to air pollution have been linked to having had preterm birth or reduced birth weights ("Who Is Affected"). Children can be poorly impacted by air pollution since their lungs and immune and metabolic systems are still in the process of development. Children are also outdoors more often than adults, so they encounter and breathe in more pollution. Older adults are also more likely to be harmed because of their weaker immune systems and other possible underlying medical conditions. The solution to decreasing the occurrence of these air pollution health disparities is to reduce air pollution. Ways countries can help reduce air pollution are to provide sustainable transport, renewable energy, create a sustainable waste management system, and reduce the access to burning fossil fuels as energy. We do not have to wait for these changes to happen to do our part in reducing air pollution. Simple ways you can also help reduce air pollution include using public transport, riding a bike instead of using a fossil-fuel-burning vehicle, and not smoking cigarettes. Works Cited "Air Pollution." National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/air-pollution/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021. "Air Pollution." World Health Organization, www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021. "Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease." World Heart Federation, 11 June 2019, www.world-heart-federation.org/news/air-pollution-and-cardiovascular-disease-a-window-of-opportunity/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021. "Air Pollution and Your Health." National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 10 Feb. 2021, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution/index.cfm. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021. Air Pollution over LA. Photograph. Britannica ImageQuest, Encyclopædia Britannica, 31 Aug 2017.quest.eb.com/search/139_1820446/1/139_1820446/cite. Accessed 14 Apr 2021. Deaths Caused by Air Pollution. World Heart Federation, 11 June 2019, www.world-heart-federation.org/news/air-pollution-and-cardiovascular-disease-a-window-of-opportunity/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021. "Health Consequences of Air Pollution on Populations." World Health Organization, 15 Nov. 2019, www.who.int/news/item/15-11-2019-what-are-health-consequences-of-air-pollution-on-populations#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20high%20levels%20of,people%20who%20are%20already%20ill. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021. Mackenzie, Jillian. "Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know." NRDC, 1 Nov. 2016, www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021. "Who Is Affected by Air Pollution?" NSW Government, 30 Apr. 2013, www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/Pages/who-is-affected.aspx. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021.
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Welcome to our blog, Medquity!Here we will post extra articles on health disparities to display the profound health inequities in our healthcare system. These are updated every other weekend, so check back regularly! Archives
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