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Illnesses Caused by Air Pollution

Numerous studies have shown that air pollution affects health, principally the body's cardiovascular and respiratory systems. A four-year study of 11.5 million Medicare enrollees revealed that just small increases in fine particle pollution led to an increase in the number of hospital admissions for heart failure, heart disease and lung disease. Inhaling smoke from open fires and simple stoves, used for cooking, kills up to 1.8 million people a year from heart and lung disease, according to the United Nations.

  1. Heart Problems

    • The American Heart Association points out that exposure to air pollution is one contributory factor to the development of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and strokes. Particular high-risk groups include older people, anyone with an underlying heart condition, lower socio-economic groups and diabetics. In one study published in 2010, researchers from Penn State College of Medicine discovered that certain particulates increased stress on the heart and could contribute to cardiovascular disease. The researchers reported that particulates (from diesel engine and coal combustion outside and oil, gas and wood combustion inside) affected a heart beat's regularity and led to fluctuations.

    Lung and Respiratory problems

    • The main problem for lung conditions appears to be the smaller particulates in diesel fumes, coal burning or electrical power stations which can travel deep into the lungs, rather than the large particulates. High amounts of these small particulates, called PM10s, can aggravate breathing difficulties with people who have asthma and other lung conditions. They could also contribute to premature death in elderly people with lung disease. Sulphur dioxide in the air can lead to breathing difficulties, particularly with anyone who has asthma or children. Asthmatics can also find that inhaling nitrogen dioxide worsens their condition. Ozone can also cause coughing and chest pains.

    Diabetes

    • Researchers from Children's Hospital Boston believe they have found a strong correlation between adult diabetes and particulate air pollution. The study, reported in the October 2010 issue of "Diabetes Care", highlighted the research of tiny particulates known as PM2.5, a main constituent of haze, smoke and motor vehicle exhaust. The researchers discovered a strong association between diabetes and high levels of PM2.5s.

    Pneumonia

    • Indoor air pollution, using solid fuels, can contribute to pneumonia, according to the World Health Organization. It points out exposure to indoor pollution more than doubles the risk of pneumonia for children under five.

    Cancer

    • WHO claims that the practice of cooking on open fires using coal, prevalent in Asia and Africa, can cause lung cancer in women. It says that exposure to this type of smoke can double the risk of lung cancer. WHO says that more than one million people die from lung cancer each year around the world and indoor air pollution accounts for around 1.5 percent of these fatalities.

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