Why should we be concern with Air pollution?

Air pollution is now a fast-growing concern in the world today. Toxic air is one of the biggest environmental risk of early death, responsible for 1 in 9 of all fatalities  (Carrington, 2018). It claims 7 million people a year for more than HIV, tuberculosis and malaria combined.  Air pollution not only results in worsening environmental atmosphere, but it also results in health consequences for the people. Trends now see that air pollution is getting worse in developing countries as economic activities are rapidly increasing there while it is improving in developed countries (Carrington, 2018).

WHO pointed out that air pollution levels continue to be dangerously high in most parts of the world. Recent data from WHO reported that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. With estimates in alarming death numbers of 7 million people every year caused by ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution (WHO, n.d). The nature of air pollution is invisible makes it even more difficult as air pollutants are not visible to the human. Air pollution has been linked to higher rates of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, lung infections and even risk of premature deaths.  According to American Lung Association estimates that in the United States, almost 134 million people, over 40 per cent of the population, are at risk of disease and premature death due to air pollution (Essick, 2019).

While we can see that long term exposure to air pollutants can increase the vulnerability of the population into developing such diseases over time, the short term exposure also affects human health. For instance, sneezing, coughing, eyes irritation, dizziness and others are the short term health issues that humans can experience (Essick, 2019). Sensitive aged groups such as children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to the short term exposure. Additionally, those with pre-existing health issues, could see a deteriorating health problem and increasing their vulnerability to developing such symptoms.

To conclude, air pollution not only affect the environment but it is increasingly seen to affect the general public and individual health. Air pollutants could potentially increase morbidity and mortality especially in areas where there are large concentration of air pollutants. People exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants often see a higher risk of developing disease symptoms. We also see that there is short and long term exposure to air pollutants that affect different aged groups differently, with children, the elderly and those with a medical condition to be the most vulnerable.

References

Carrington, D. (2018, November 05). Air pollution: Everything you should know about a public health emergency. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/05/air-pollution-everything-you-should-know-about-a-public-health-emergency

Essick, P. (2019, June 25). Air Pollution Causes, Effects, and Solutions. Retrieved November 06, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution/

WHO. (n.d.). 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air, but more countries are taking action  https://www.who.int/news/item/02-05-2018-9-out-of-10-people-worldwide-breathe-polluted-air-but-more-countries-are-taking-action