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The Effects of Air Pollution on People

Air pollution is an unfortunate reality in the first decade of the 21st Century and will likely remain so for some time to come. Exhaust from automobiles, trucks, trains and planes will continue to pollute the air until these methods of transportation find a different source of energy. Manufacturing plants of various kinds will continue to vent pollutants into the air. Air pollution causes detrimental effects on the health of individuals, animals and the earth.

  1. Sensitive Individuals

    • Some individuals have more health issues with air pollution than others. The very young and the very old are typically more susceptible to pollutants, as are those with breathing difficulties and heart disease. These individuals may receive warnings to remain indoors when pollutions is worst.

      These same individuals may suffer ill effects from more personal forms of air pollution like smoking and exposure to pesticides and herbicides.

    Common Immediate Effects

    • Individuals who do not have compromised lung and heart health may also suffer from air pollution. Typical short-term effects may be shortness of breath; difficulty breathing; wheezing; upper respiratory infections; eye, nose and throat infections; headaches; coughing; allergic reactions and nausea.

    Long Term Effects

    • Long-term exposure to air pollutants can lead to chronic infections and depressed immune function, diminished lung capacity, chronic lung disease, lung cancer, heart issues and damage to other body systems.

    Hospitalization Rates

    • According to Health Canada, heart and lung disease are the leading causes of hospitalization in Canada. Air pollution exacerbates the already weakened pulmonary and cardiovascular systems and increases the number of patients who require hospitalization and the severity of the diagnosis. The same report indicated that 46 percent of deaths in 1997 were attributed to heart and lung disease. When air pollution aggravates the severity of heart and lung disease, it can directly contribute to a higher rate of death.

    Haze and Visibility

    • Haze is defined by the U.S. National Weather Service as particulate matter (fine dry or wet dust or salt) in the air that reduces visibility. More automobile accidents occur when visibility is poor. On these days, you must not only worry about breathing in the particulate matter blowing or hanging in the air, you must also concern yourself with the inability to see clearly and avoid an impact with another moving vehicle. Severity of injury is also higher because drivers can't see the impact coming fast enough to safely decelerate or avoid the impact altogether.

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