Health Effects of Air Pollution
Many of us experience some kind of air pollution symptoms such as watery eyes, coughing or wheezing. Even for healthy people, polluted air can cause respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. An individual's actual risk depends on their current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of exposure to the polluted air.
People most susceptible to severe health problems are:
- Individuals with heart disease, such as coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure
- Individuals with lung disease, such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pregnant women
- Outdoor workers
- Children under age 14 whose lungs are still developing
- Athletes who exercise vigorously outdoors
Health Effects from Specific Pollutants
Ground-level Ozone
Ground-level ozone reaches its highest level during the afternoon and early evening hours. High levels occur most often during the summer months. It's a strong irritant that can cause constriction of the airways, forcing the respiratory system to work harder in order to provide oxygen. It can also cause other health problems:
- Aggravated respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma
- Damage to deep portions of the lungs, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear
- Wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache, or nausea
- Reduced resistance to infection
- Increased fatigue
- Weakened athletic performance
Particulate Matter
Particulate matter may contain soot, smoke, metals, nitrates, sulfates, dust, water, and tire rubber. It can be directly emitted, as in smoke from a fire, or it can form in the atmosphere from reactions of gases such as nitrogen oxides. The size of the particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles, known as PM2.5, pose the greatest threat because they can get deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream affecting both the heart and lungs:
- Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing
- Aggravated asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and emphysema
- Development of chronic respiratory disease in children
- Development of chronic bronchitis
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nonfatal heart attacks
- Premature death in people with heart or lung disease
