Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health: Types, Causes and Prevention

Effects of air pollution are felt across the entire earth. Air pollution can be linked to the millions of deaths that occur each year. It is a direct result of increased industrial activity, vehicular emissions, and unsafe human practices. WHO data says that the entire global population (99%) breathe in highly polluted air that exceeds WHO guideline limits

If left unchecked, air pollution will definitely lead to the degradation of the planet’s ecosystems. A number of countries have already started to put practices into place to attempt to bring down the effects of air pollution.

Read More:- Causes of Air Pollution

Key Terms: Air Pollution, Effects of Air Pollution, Primary Pollutants, Secondary Pollutants

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What is Air Pollution?

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Air Pollution is the release of harmful pollutants into the air. The release and suspension of a mixture of solid/liquid particles and gases into the air can cause air pollution. The solid and liquid particles that are suspended in the air are called aerosols. It can be through the release of gaseous industrial emissions, smoke emitted from vehicles, dust, mold spores and pollen, volcanic emissions, smoke released from wildfires, etc.

Air Pollution

Aerosols are either particles that get picked up into the air, or they can be formed from the occurrence of chemical reactions. The majority of aerosols enter the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (Coal and Petroleum) and wood. The presence of certain gases in the air such as Ozone (a greenhouse gas) can also lead to air pollution when it is present at ground-level.

Effects of Air Pollution

Air Pollution is the leading cause of numerous health disorders and fatal diseases. It directly affects the major body systems as well as the environment. According to latest health reports released by the World Health Organisation, an estimated 7 million people die due to air pollution. According to WHO, “The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause millions of premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.”

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Types of Air Pollutants

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There are two major types of pollutants that contribute to air pollution. They are called primary and secondary pollutants.

Primary and Secondary Pollutants

Primary Pollutants

Primary pollutants are those where the air pollutant is directly emitted into the atmosphere. The source of emission can include either natural processes like volcanic eruptions, sandstorms, naturally occurring wildfires, etc. or man made processes such as vehicular and industrial emissions, agriculture, urban development, etc.

Primary Pollutants include a variety of gases and particulates such as:

• Carbon Oxides: Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) are colorless, odorless gases that are also greenhouse gases. CO in particular is extremely toxic to plants and animals.
• Nitrogen Oxides: Includes greenhouse gases like nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Nitrogen oxides are emitted from exhaust gases released from vehicles, power plants and factories. Nitrogen oxides are the main components of acid rain.
• Sulphur Oxides: Includes sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and sulphur trioxide (SO₃). These gases are formed when sulphur from burning coal mixes into air. Sulphur oxides are also components of acid rain.
• Particulates: The release of solid particles such as dust, ash, fecal matter, etc. into the atmosphere are also primary pollutants. Particulates are a product of fossil fuel combustion and lead to smog formation. They often contribute to asthma, heart disease and certain cancers.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Consists of mainly hydrocarbons. VOCs include methane ( naturally occurring greenhouse gas; increased emission due to human activities), chlorofluorocarbons (leading cause of thinning in the ozone layer) and dioxin (chemical production byproduct; extremely harmful to humans).

Primary Pollutants and Their Sources

Secondary Pollutants

Secondary pollutants are formed when air pollutants are released into the atmosphere as a product of the chemical or physical interactions of primary pollutants, either with themselves or between primary pollutants and other atmospheric components. Secondary pollutants are photochemical oxidants and secondary particulate matter.

• Photochemical Oxidants: These are a result of photochemical reactions involving nitrogen and sulphur oxides, and VOCs in the presence of sunlight. The oxidants released include acids, sulphur trioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone. All these result in the formation of acid rain and photochemical smog. Ground level ozone is highly dangerous and exposure to it can lead to lung diseases like asthma and bronchitis.
• Secondary Particulate Matter: Particles that are a result of gaseous condensation, chemical reactions of primary pollutants, coagulation of primary particles etc, lead to the formation of secondary particulate matter. It includes primary pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

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Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health

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When humans come in contact with air pollutants, it has an adverse effect on their health which results in many respiratory disorders, problems in cardiovascular functioning, deadly diseases, and even neuropsychiatric complications. The effects of air pollution, especially on human health, should not be neglected at any cost. It doesn't matter if you are healthy, or not. As long as there is air pollution, you are at risk.

• Long-term exposure to these toxic elements in the air causes immediate health issues like it weakens the cells in the body. This leads to dysfunction of the respiratory system. Now the body also faces problems because it has to work harder so as to keep pumping blood to all parts of the body. This is necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
• Air pollution also speeds up the lung’s age, thereby shortening the life span of humans. It even causes a breakdown of the nervous system and people start to experience irritation, feelings of anxiety. Shortness of breath, irritation in the eyes and nose are also common signs that a person is unwell. The major cause is exposure to air pollution.
• People undergo serious respiratory issues like asthma. It makes it really intolerable for them to even breathe with a little dust. They feel discomfort in their trachea. Long exposures to harmful substances in the air may also develop lung cancer in a human being. People are also known to suffer from Bronchitis and Emphysema after being exposed to air pollution.
• A sore throat followed by coughing, consistent chest pain, unbearable headaches, and a weak body are all symptoms of a health breakdown as a result of air pollution. The person becomes less immune to diseases and feels nauseated very often. He also doesn't feel as agile and energetic as before.
• There is a very direct relation between air pollution with our body’s cardiovascular system. You can say they act as petrol and a match stick! Adverse exposure to one automatically causes heavy trouble for another. Prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause cardiac arrests in people. This can even lead to death if left undetected. This usually happens because of extreme levels of Nitrogen Dioxide present in polluted air.
• Nervous disorders are a common effect of air pollution too. They have a tremendous negative impact, especially on children. When such a nervous breakdown occurs, the child may experience a change in personality and behavior. The child may also become very antisocial and resort to aggression. Eye problems can also occur and need to be treated immediately.

Read More: Effects of Air Pollution on Environment

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Causes & Prevention of Air Pollution

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Air Pollution is one of the main causes of prevalent health and environmental issues. There are numerous causes and methods to prevent air pollution:

Causes of Air Pollution

• Increase in Carbon Monoxide levels due to burning of fossil fuels
• Heavy transportation leads to the emission of more gas
• Industrial emissions which give out nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide
• Smoking emits harmful particles into the air
• Wildfires pollute the air more than anything else
• Volcanic eruptions
• Careless disposal of garbage, even burning of them
• Construction and demolition
• Chemical usage along with pesticides
• Burning of firecrackers
• Deforestation

Causes of Air Pollution

Read More:- Air Pollution Control

Prevention of Air Pollution

• Implementing the use of 3Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle
• Switching from plastic bags to paper bags. Paper is eco friendly and can be disposed of easily
• Taking public transportation, and cycling
• Practicing afforestation
• Throwing away litter properly
• Avoid lighting up fireworks, as it contributes to both air and noise pollution
• Quit smoking
• Using filters in chimneys
• Conserving energy

Prevention of Air Pollution

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Things to Remember

• Air pollution is the degradation in the quality of air by harmful chemicals released into the air. These harmful substances may be industrial emissions,volcanic ashes and eruptions, forest fires, deforestation, burning of garbage, plastic and fossil fuels, etc.
• Air pollution has a very dangerous impact on human health. It leads to respiratory disorders, nervous system breakdown, and even deadly diseases like cancer, all of which can lead to the death of a human.
• These may be asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, personality changes, depression, stress, irritation of the eyes, less immunity, the decreased capacity of lungs, and a shorter life span.
• There are two types of air pollutants: Primary pollutants and secondary pollutants.
• Primary pollutants are those where the air pollutant is directly released into the atmosphere. Secondary pollutants are those which are created from reaction between primary pollutants, either with themselves or other components in the atmosphere.
• Effects of air pollution can be reduced only by active human intervention. Ethical and conscious practices can help increase the quality of air globally.
• Use paper bags instead of plastic, switch off lights and fans in our houses when not in use, conserve energy, dispose of garbage properly and also take public transports.

Read More: Effects of Air Pollution on Plants