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What are the negative impact cause by air pollution on public health: Literature Review
Independence Junior College: Research Methods
RCH 101
Presented To: Ms. Aretha Flores
Presented By: Dwight Kerr
Independence Junior College
Date: 29/10/24
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What are the negative impact cause by air pollution on public health: Literature Review?
Air pollution is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as
dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapor, in quantities and duration that can be injurious to
human health. Almost every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution. Due to
their small size, some air pollutants are able to penetrate into the bloodstream via the
lungs and circulate throughout the entire body leading to systemic inflammation. Air pollution
is a risk for all-cause mortality as well as specific diseases. The specific disease outcomes most
strongly linked with exposure to air pollution include stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia(WHO,2024). It is a major threat to
global health and prosperity. Air pollution, in all forms, is responsible for more than 6.5 million
deaths each year globally, a number that has increased over the past two decades(National
Institute of Environmental Health,2024).
Air pollution can harm us when it accumulates in the air in high enough concentrations.
Millions of Americans live in areas where urban smog, particle pollution, and toxic pollutants
pose serious health concerns. People exposed to high enough levels of certain air pollutants may
experience (department of environmental protection,2019):
Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
Wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulties
Worsening of existing lung and heart problems, such as asthma
Increased risk of heart attack
A large body of scientific evidence has accumulated over the past 25 years
attributing a wide range of adverse health effects to ambient (outdoor) air pollution
exposure. These effects range in severity from respiratory symptoms to the
development of disease and premature death. Significant advances in the health
and atmospheric sciences over the last two decades have also made it possible to
estimate the number of deaths and illnesses associated with air pollution
(government of Canada,2023).
Decades of research have shown that air pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter
(PM) increase the amount and seriousness of lung and heart disease and other health problems.
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More investigation is needed to further understand the role poor air quality plays in
causing detrimental effects to health and increased disease, especially in vulnerable populations.
Children, the elderly, and people living in areas with high levels of air pollution are especially
susceptible (united states environmental protection agency,2024). Our children, and all future
generations, deserve to breathe air that is free from toxic pollution. 93% of children under 15 are
denied their right to grow up in a clean and healthy environment. Even though you can’t see it,
the air you are breathing is probably polluted (clean air funds).
Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended
in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen,
mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid and liquid particles suspended in our air are
called aerosols. Any particle that gets picked up into the air or is formed from chemical reactions
in the air can be an aerosol. Many aerosols enter the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels
(climate change.nasa.gov,2024). Air pollution is indeed a significant risk factor for human health
conditions, causing allergies, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as lung damage
(solar impulse foundation,2024)
