The late onset of respiratory diseases in children and adults due to. Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment. In 2004, the american heart association issued a scientific statement concluding that exposure to air pollution contributes to. Air pollution and your heart heart disease is the leading cause of death in the united states. Particle pollution levels can be high any time of year. Exposure to combustiongenerated fine particulate matter has been stated as the prime reason behind people. Particulate air pollution has also been associated with respiratoryrelated infant mortality, even at relatively low pm levels that. The results of the study not only indicate a health benefit for a public policy that curtails air pollution caused by industrial emissions. Conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd can be caused or triggered by rising levels of air pollution. We need more research in this area, but what we already know should urge us to go beyond a summary indicator of health impact of air pollution, be it number of attributable cases or life expectancy. Pdf air pollution as a significant cause of diseases and. The effects of air pollution are very harmful for health.
There are several kinds of diseases caused by factors such as air, water and noise pollution. Being an ever pervading medium and carrier, air can transfer the pollutants very fast in no time. Air pollution exposure can trigger new cases of asthma, exacerbate worsen a previouslyexisting respiratory illness, and provoke development or progression of chronic illnesses including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema. Causes and consequences of air pollution and environmental. Air pollution is the cause and aggravating factor of many respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd 11, 12, asthma 12, , and lung cancer 14, 15. Air pollution is the cause and aggravating factor of many respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd 11,12, asthma 12, and lung cancer 14,15.
Nearly one half of all americansan estimated 150 millionlive in areas that dont meet federal air quality standards. Hailed as one of the most dangerous diseases caused by air pollution, lung cancer if not treated well can lead to death. Air pollution is today considered as the worlds most serious environmental health risk by the world health organisation who. Air pollution is the introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals, particulates, or biological materials that cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other living organisms such as. In india, air pollution is caused mostly by automobiles, power plants and oil refineries. The skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation uvr and environmental air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pahs, volatile organic compounds vocs, oxides, particulate matter pm, ozone o3, and cigarette smoke. The list of diseases linked to air pollution is growing. According to national institute of environmental health sciences, longterm exposure to air pollutants increases the risk for respiratory diseases. Here are some of the common diseases, causes and health effects by air pollution and how can we prevent from these by using air purifiers. All in all, ambient outdoor and household indoor air pollution caused more than 6 million deaths from these diseases in 2012.
In children, air pollution is linked to asthma and bronchitis, increases in school absences and er visits. And the world bank, along with the institute for health metrics and evaluation released a report showing that diseases from air pollution caused one in ten deaths five years ago, in 20 6. Some of the most common diseases that are caused by air pollution include asthma and cardiovascular disease. These studies show that the increase in air particulate matter, so2, no2. Jul 20, 2018 the world health organization estimates that 9 out of 10 people in the world are breathing air containing high levels of pollutants 5. Air pollution is the second leading cause of deaths from noncommunicable diseases ncds, after tobaccosmoking. Our air is filled with dangerous airborne particles that can cause many respiratory diseases. Niehs also reported that children and elder people are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Heart disease, stroke, and outdoor air pollution, epa456. Jul 11, 2017 10 most common diseases caused by air pollution.
Near busy roads, in urban areas especially during rush hour, and in industrial areas. Radioactive fallout causes air pollution from the nuclear energy dispersed, which is a dust. This includes diseases caused by substance abuse, exposure to toxic chemicals, and physical factors in the environment, like uv radiation from the sun, as well as genetic predisposition. Its the smog that settles over some cities, dimming the skyline. On common grounds, if we talk about the causes, then the air borne diseases are caused by exposure to some source of infection. Find out how you can protect yourself if youre living with asthma. The most recent study on the global burden of disease estimates that 7. This paper provides the insight view about the affects of environment pollution in the perspective of air pollution, water and land soil waste pollution on human by diseases and problems, animals and trees plants. Air pollution is the black cloud belching from an industrial smokestack. The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs can cause permanent damage to the lungs if not treated on time. Heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancers, are among the top five causes of death today, and onequarter to onethird of deaths from these diseases are due to air pollution according to the who estimates. The health and safety executive has more information about occupational causes of copd. Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes or smoke or odour are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant. There are two measurable interactions that may occur, and most published reports fall into two catagories.
Apr 06, 2012 air pollution respiratory and lung diseases including o asthma attacks o chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd o reduced lung function o pulmonary cancer caused by a series of carcinogen chemicals that through inhalation o mesothelioma a particular type of lung cancer, usually associated with exposure to asbestos it usually. What are the causes of air pollution pollutant description and main uk sources potential effects on healthenvironment particulate matter pmpm 10 and pm 2. Pdf air pollution is a major concern of new civilized world, which has a. Passenger vehicles and heavyduty trucks are a major. Pollution caused nearly 20,000 beach closings in 2004, the highest level in 15 years.
Jan 31, 2007 air pollution is a much bigger cause of death from heart disease and stroke than has previously been recognized, according to findings from one of the largest studies ever to examine the issue. The vehicles on the road and oil refinery plants emit several types of atmospheric pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, smoke, organic vapour and hydrocarbons as is clear from the following table. Exposure to air pollution over a long period can affect how well the lungs work and some research suggests it could increase your risk of copd. Air pollution and heart disease research air pollution is known to cause a variety of health problems, including effects on the heart, nervous, and vascular system. It can cause, complicate, or exacerbate many adverse health conditions.
We are providing correct, sufficient and quality information in one pool. Air pollution has become a public health concern all over the world. You can choose the water you drink, but you cant do much about the air. As per the 2014 report of the world health organization report, air pollution in 2012 caused the deaths of approximately 7 million people across the globe. Asthma may not be directly caused by air pollution, asthma attacks can be triggered by high levels of air pollution. Children living near diesel trucking routes are more likely to have decreased lung function, bronchitis and allergies. May 15, 2014 the increase of air pollution over the years has major effects on the human skin.
In the second section, the consequences of air pollution on health are documented. What are the possible causes of air borne diseases. Asthma and outdoor air pollution epa pdf icon pdf 499 kb. Ambient air pollution levels in urban areas increased substantially in the last decades. The risk of copd is even higher if you breathe in dust or fumes in the workplace and you smoke. Outdoor air pollution involves exposures that take place outside of the built environment. It is estimated that at least 3% of cardiopulmonary and 5% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to pm globally.
It is made worse by the fact that everyone could be exposed because everyone needs to breathe. In 2016 air pollution was the second largest risk factor causing ncds globally, just after tobacco smoking. Exposure to air pollution also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke 5 7. When we breathe in dirty air, we bring air pollutants deep into our lungs, so its no surprise that air pollution causes serious damage to the respiratory tract. Today, air pollution is one of the critical problems in metropolitans and necessary preparations are needed for confronting this crisis. Struggle against air pollution seems to be a longtime task for both developed countries and developing countries 1618, especially china 17,1921. When there is smoke in the air from wood stoves, fireplaces, burning vegetation, or forest fires.
Air pollution diseases, causes and effects of air pollution. Recent estimates suggest that the disease burden due to air pollution is substantial. The health condition asthma can also be caused by air pollution. The costs of health care for the sick and the loss of productivity caused by air.
Air pollution is a mixture of manmade and natural substances that bind with the clean air in the atmosphere. These include stroke and heart disease, respiratory illness and cancers. Stopping diseases caused by air pollution means implementing smart control strategies, such as instituting emissions standards and creating technology that will reduce emissions. Many factors contribute to heart disease, including your genes.
Contribution of environmental risks to noncommunicable diseases. Heart disease, stroke, and outdoor air pollution, epa456f. Although air quality degradation be cause of air pollution is a global problem that threatens humanity s wellbeing overall, it is largely associated with environmental injustice. Well, there are several air borne diseases and each disease has its own specific causes. Jan 30, 20 the diseases caused by air pollution include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema. It causes different kinds of respiratory diseases like heart attack, cancer, bronchitis etc. Most air pollutionrelated deaths are from heart disease and stroke, followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute and chronic respiratory conditions and cancers. Mar 03, 2014 air pollution causes,sources,effects on human health,solutions to stop it 1.
Waterborne diseases are caused by drinking water or eating food washed in water containing protozoa that can cause infections like toxoplasmosis or giardiasis, containing viruses like polio or hepatitis a, water with bacteria like li, cholera or typhoid fever or water with parasites like hookworm and ringworm. Birth defects are the leading cause of death for infants during the first year of life. Air pollution can be caused naturally as well as manmade. The present study was based on the goal of determining the relationship of air pollutant levels with the rate of emergency admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular patients. The causes of air pollution is due to factors like smoking, automobile combustion, heavy factories exhausts, pesticide use in agriculture, etc. Air pollution threatens the health of humans and other living beings in our planet. The epa recommends source control as one of the best strategies to reduce air pollution. Air pollution is a global health threat and causes millions of human deaths. Despite the evergrowing number of vehicles on the road, studies show that ten to thirty percent of vehicles cause the majority of vehiclerelated air pollution. How air pollution contributes to heart disease diseases of the heart or blood vessels, or cardiovascular disease, and in particular coronary heart disease harm to the heart resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood are leading causes of death in the us. Ghanas disease burden attributable to air pollution related deaths increased substantially between 2012 and 2016. Causes of water pollution factors that contribute to water pollution can.
May 15, 2019 there are several diseases caused due to air pollution. Air pollution a leading cause of ncd deaths most air pollution related deaths are from noncommunicable diseases ncds. You can choose the water you drink, but you cant do much about the air you breathe. Air pollution and noncommunicable diseases chest journal. The diseases caused by air pollution include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema. The major historical air pollution episodes all occurred during stagnant inversions in regions that had significant sources of combustionrelated air pollutants see chapter 1. Soil pollution diseases environmental pollution centers. The new estimates are not only based on more knowledge about the diseases caused by air pollution, but also upon better assessment of human exposure to air pollutants. Air quality and health whoeurope world health organization. In many countriesfor example, in southeast asia air pollution is by far the largest cause of ncds. This will result in projected increases in global mortality from air pollution from 4. In 2012, mortality numbers related to outdoor air pollution in the low to middleincome, and highincome countries were estimated at 203,000 and 280,000, respectively who 2014. Its the smelly exhaust of an old car that burns oil. Health effects of ambient air pollution in developing countries mdpi.
If youre at risk of heart disease or stroke and plan to exercise more than usual. These emissions are byproducts from the engine combustion process and from the evaporation of fuel. Diseases caused due to air pollution asthma, lung cancer. The epas wadeable streams assessment finds that 42% of all u. Pdf causes, consequences and control of air pollution. Polluted air was responsible in 2015 for 64 million deaths worldwide. Focusing on europe, air pollution is again the biggest environment risk factor behind premature death eea 2014.
Consequences of air pollution co 2 is a good transmitter of sunlight, but it also. Air pollution is undoubtedly the most problematic type of pollution, as it may involve serious longterm health effects. However, pollution receives a fraction of the interest from the global community. Air pollution occurs both outdoors and indoors and is caused by human activities and natural mechanisms. In 2004, 31 states had statewide fish consumption advisories in place because of toxic pollution. Frontiers air pollution and the skin environmental science. A decadelong study demonstrated a direct link between air pollution and atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing or blockage of arteries caused by plaque buildup. Air pollution causes,sources,effects on human health. Air pollution s causes and effects remain serious worldwide problems despite efforts to curb them. John bottrell health professional aug 1, 2011 with asthma rates increasing, and pollution on the forefront of our minds, many of us like to blame pollution for. Land or soil pollution diseases are those diseases caused by pollutants from the landdirtsoil. Communicating health impact of air pollution intechopen. If you have heart disease or have experienced a stroke, check with your health care provider about the best ways to protect your health when the air quality is unhealthy.
Meanwhile, pollutionrelated diseases are attributed to exposure to toxins in the air, water, and soil. How air pollution contributes to lung disease physicians for. Air pollutants also negatively and significantly harm lung development, creating an additional risk factor. Factories, office buildings, homes and powergenerating stations burn fossil fuels, which cause air pollution. A significant body of research has shown that longterm exposure to fine particulate matter, known as pm 2. Air pollution and heart disease, stroke american heart. Even healthy people can experience health impacts from polluted air including respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. Air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, ozone, or fluoride may be toxic. Air pollution is a major cause of noncommunicable diseases.
Longterm ambient air pollution exposure was reported to increase allcause mortality 10. Luepker said growing medical evidence links air pollution and heart disease. Study of the effects of air pollutants on human health based. Whoeurope noncommunicable diseases and air pollution 2019. The best documented chronic effect of exposure to air. Cars and trucks are one of the leading causes of air pollution but cleaner vehicles can help. In 2018, the third united nations highlevel meeting on ncds recognized household and outdoor air pollution as a risk factor for ncds, alongside unhealthy diets, tobaccosmoking, harmful use of alcohol and physical inactivity. This is in addition to air pollution s role in the development of respiratory diseases, including acute respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Air pollution can make it harder for people with asthma and other respiratory breathing diseases to breathe. Environmental diseases from a to z english, june 2007. Jul 27, 2017 air pollution is caused by a wide variety of things. Your actual risk of adverse effects depends on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure to the polluted air.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd causes nhs. In terms of global disease burden, air pollution is the cause of over onethird of deaths from stroke, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory disease, and onequarter of deaths from ischaemic heart disease. Considering the key role of traffic officers who saliently deal with traffic management and are in. Air pollution, climate and health world health organization. Air pollution is known to have a severe impact on the health and wellbeing of people as well as animals. Air pollution is one of the great killers of our age.
Here are some of the common diseases caused by indoor air pollution. So air pollution exposure and effects contribute to social inequalities in health. Air pollutants and early origins of respiratory diseases ncbi. Overall, air pollution causes the deaths of around 7 million people worldwide each year, and is the worlds largest single environmental health risk. The study of the interactions between air pollutants and plant diseases caused by biotic agents is a relatively new area of investigation. Aspirin and cigarette smoking can also cause birth problems. Air pollution linked to chronic heart disease sciencedaily.
Purposeglobal warming and air pollution are among the most important problems all over the world. This is one of the most common diseases that can affect the humans. The impact of fine particles and ozone executive summary air pollution is a leading environmental threat to the health of urban populations overall and specifically to new york city residents. The effects of air pollution on cardiovascular and. Environmental risks and noncommunicable diseases the bmj. Air pollution is a mixture of natural and manmade substances in the air we breathe.
Air pollution exposure can trigger new cases of asthma, exacerbate. Although local differences in air temperature and the earths rotation. Air pollution levels have come down since the 1970s, but smog is being linked with a growing list of diseases, including dementia, obesity, diabetes and even parkinsons. Environment pollution is a widereaching problem and it is likely to influence the health of human populations is great. The mechanisms causing these diseases should be very similar to those occurring for acute exposure. Air pollution diseases environmental pollution centers. Air pollution can be divided into fine particles, groundlevel ozone, lead, oxides of sulfur and nitrate, and carbon monoxide. Jun 05, 2012 air pollution linked to chronic heart disease date. This source can be an infected patient or an animal the droplets of infection can be transferred from the infected person or. According to a growing body of research, air pollution also plays an important role in the development of heart disease and in. This is one powerful force that can kill an entire civilization gradually and the worst part is that it affects the entire environment and the surrounding areas around it. This post shall be focusing on 10 of such diseases caused by the air pollution and what pollutants cause them. Diseases caused by pollution lead to the chronic illness and deaths of about 8.