Air Pollution: A Preventable Health Risk

That familiar brownish haze hanging over the city skyline has almost become a silent companion in our daily lives. Its presence, creeping over rooftops and stretching across streets, reminds us of the harsh realities of urban living. A reality we’ve grown strangely comfortable with.

We know that this murky veil is the result of air pollution, a by-product of the very conveniences and routines we rely on each day. And yet, despite this acceptance, there’s an underlying unease. We feel the subtle weight of its impact on our lungs, our wellbeing, and the world around us. A reminder that even the air we breathe carries a story of consequence.

Air Pollution

To truly grasp how air pollution affects our health, it helps to first get to know it; what it is, where it comes from, and how it quietly makes its way into our daily lives.

Air pollution can be described as:

A contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.

Air pollution is like an unwelcome guest in the air we breathe; a complex blend of harmful substances released from countless sources around us. Sometimes, it announces itself boldly as a thick smog in the air. Other times, it slips by unnoticed, invisible yet dangerous, quietly seeping into our environment.

Types of Air Pollutants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set national air quality standards, using measurements of key pollutants to create the Air Quality Index (AQI). Think of the AQI as a health compass for the air around us, guiding us on whether it’s safe to breathe deeply outdoors or take extra precautions. Keeping a close eye on these numbers is more than just data collection; it’s a vital step in protecting our health and the health of our communities.

The AQI is based on six key 'criteria' air pollutants:

1. Carbon monoxide (CO)

2. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

3. Ground-level ozone (O3)

4. Particulate matter (PM)

5. Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

6. Lead (Pb)

In addition to the ones already mentioned, the air around us is also tainted by a variety of other pollutants. These include:

• Carbon dioxide

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Other air pollutants e.g., asbestos, benzene, kerosene, and various types of hydrocarbons.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Among the many air pollutants we encounter daily, particulate matter (PM) has drawn particular attention because of its significant impact on human health. Think of PM as tiny fragments in the air that we inhale every day, carrying with them a mix of organic and inorganic material from countless sources, from vehicle exhaust to industrial emissions.

Scientists classify these particles by their size, which determines how deeply these particles can penetrate our bodies:

• Coarse particles (PM10) measure up to 10 µm in diameter, roughly a tenth the width of a human hair.

• Fine particles (PM2.5) are smaller than 2.5 µm, light enough to gain entry deep into the lungs.

• Ultra-fine particles (PM0.1) are tiny, at just 0.1 µm, so small they can even enter the bloodstream, carrying potential harm far beyond the lungs, and reaching other vital organs.

In essence, the size of these particles directly influences how much harm they can cause. This ability makes PM a serious health concern, as it is linked not only to cardiovascular and respiratory complications but also to an increased risk of death, particularly with long-term exposure.

Sources of Air Pollution

Air pollution stems from a mix of human actions and natural events, weaving its way into the air we breathe. Its causes are numerous and diverse, but some sources stand out more than others:

Anthropogenic (man-made) sources

• Burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas

• Industrial activities

• Transportation

• Waste treatment

• Construction and mining operations

• Agriculture through wide use of pesticides and fertilisers

• Indoor air pollution

Natural sources

• Respiratory by-products of living organisms, i.e. CO2

• Digestive by-products of cattle, i.e. methane

• Smoke caused by natural wildfires

• Gas emissions from volcanic eruptions

• Dust carried by wind

Health Effects of Air Pollution

Decades of research have firmly established a direct link between air pollution and human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to around 7 million premature deaths each year. Its effects extend far beyond mortality, also triggering a spectrum of acute and chronic health conditions that can shadow people’s daily lives.

Air pollution is a risk for all-cause mortality as well as specific diseases.

In 2013, the WHO officially recognised air pollution as a carcinogen, identifying it as a direct contributor to cancer. This recognition highlights that the air we breathe can be more than just unpleasant; it can pose a serious and often invisible threat to our health.

The effects of air pollution on our bodies are influenced by several factors, such as how we are exposed, how much, and for how long. Brief spikes in pollution can cause immediate harm, but it is long-term exposure that can lead to a higher risk of lasting damage to our organs and chronic illness over time.

Air pollution enters our bodies primarily through the respiratory system. Each breath can trigger a series of cellular reactions: inflammation, oxidative stress, suppression of the immune system, and even changes at the genetic level. These responses ripple through the body, affecting major organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain.

Exposure to air pollution has an impact on different parts of the body, at every stage of life.

Studies have shown that exposure to polluted air is related to the development of serious health conditions, including:

• Stroke

• Heart and chronic lung disease

• Asthma

• Lung cancer

• Pneumonia

But the impact of polluted air doesn’t stop there. There is also strong evidence connecting exposure to pollutants with increased risks across various other systems in our bodies, including:

• Poor pregnancy outcomes: premature birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, fetal death, congenital anomalies

• Diabetes mellitus

• Neurodegenerative and long-term cognitive disorders: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease

• Other cancers: including breast cancer, leukaemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to carcinogenic effects

• Immune system disorders

• Reproductive system disorders

• Complications from respiratory infections, such as COVID-19

• Neuro-behavioural disorders in children and young adults, including ADHD and autism

• Certain bone disorders, such as osteoporosis

• Eye disorders, including cataracts

Nearly everyone is touched by air pollution. In cities, it’s estimated that around 90% of people breathe in harmful air pollutants every day often without realising it. For some, the risks are even higher. Children whose lungs are still developing, older adults, pregnant women, people living with long-term health conditions, and those in lower socio-economic groups are more likely to feel the effects first and most severely.

Reducing the Health Impact of Air Pollution

Public policy plays a vital role in tackling air pollution. Governments and institutions are working to cut harmful emissions, but real change does not stop at legislation. The choices we make every day, from how we travel to how we use energy at home, can also make a meaningful difference. These small actions add up, helping to reduce pollution while also protecting our own health and the health of those around us. Here are some practical, everyday strategies you can start using today:

Wear protective masks when needed

Close-fitting N95 masks can significantly reduce exposure to airborne pollutants, especially during high-pollution days.

Choose active transport

Walking or cycling instead of using motorised transport not only reduces emissions but also improves your general health.

Pick cleaner routes

Whenever possible, walk or cycle along roads with more greenery and less traffic, giving your lungs a fresher environment.

Maintain your vehicle

Keeping your car’s filtration and ventilation systems efficient, along with regular maintenance, can help lower the pollutants you inhale while driving.

Drive smart

Close windows in heavy traffic, use the internal air circulation mode, avoid rapid accelerations or braking, and turn off your engine when idling. Small adjustments like these make a big difference.

Time outdoor activities wisely

Check local air quality forecasts and plan exercise or outdoor activities when air pollution levels are low.

Stay informed

Real-time air quality apps can help you make decisions about when and where to go outside safely.

Cook clean

Using electricity, methane gas, or solar cookers instead of traditional wood-burning stoves reduces indoor air pollution by a lot.

Ventilate your home wisely

Encourage cross-ventilation and ensure cooking areas are well-ventilated to keep indoor air fresher.

Use indoor air cleaners

HEPA-filter air purifiers in frequently used spaces can capture fine particles and improve indoor air quality.

Manage existing health conditions

People with heart or lung disease should ensure their condition is well-managed and adopt healthy habits like avoiding smoking and good self-care, as these steps lower the risk of pollution-related complications.

Eat for your lungs

A nutrient-rich diet full of vitamins and antioxidants can help your body counteract the inflammatory and potentially harmful effects of air pollution.

Every Breath Matters

Breathing is the first thing we do when we enter the world, and the one thing we never stop doing. It happens quietly, effortlessly, in the background of our lives. Yet every breath is a reminder of something extraordinary and often overlooked: the air that sustains us.

In the rush of daily life, we rarely pause to notice it. But sometimes, stepping back to take a slow, deep breath helps us see the bigger picture; how closely our health, our environment, and our future are intertwined.

We know that air pollution harms our health. Decades of research have shown its impact on our lungs, hearts, and overall wellbeing, and on the planet we call home. What is harder to accept is how slowly change is happening. For millions of people around the world, polluted air is part of everyday life. In many communities, levels of harmful pollutants remain far above what is considered safe, silently putting health at risk.

This is not someone else’s problem. It affects the air we breathe at home, at work, and on our journeys each day. Tackling air pollution takes more than individual choices; it requires collective action and a shared sense of responsibility. Cleaner air is about more than protecting the environment. It is about protecting people. Because the right to breathe clean, healthy air is not a privilege; it is a basic human need, and one we all have a role in caring for.

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