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The Effects of Car Air Pollution on People

Particles and gases released into the air from numerous sources result in air pollution. Car emissions are just one of the contributing forces that lead to increased air pollution. The health risks associated with air pollution include some that can decrease your life expectancy and limit your ability to fully enjoy life.

  1. Respiratory Health

    • Air pollution from automobiles can have a negative impact on our respiratory health. Longtime exposure has been linked to asthma, allergies, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Young children and the elderly are specifically at risk. A study sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, referred to as the Six Cities Study, found that the effects of increased air pollution resulted in an increased risk of hospitalization and early death from lung cancer. In addition, a University of Southern California study suggests that the exposure to pollutants produced by automobiles can negatively affect lung development and breathing capacity.

    Cardiovascular Health

    • Motor vehicle exhaust releases fine particles into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution. These particles from fossil-fuel emissions can increase the risk of early death due to heart disease and have a negative impact on overall cardiovascular health. The American Cancer Society also participated in a study that further confirms this information and supports the fact that higher concentrations of fossil-fuel emissions can have a correlative effect on mortality and rate of cardiovascular illness.

      As patients age, further evidence is being collected concerning the link between air quality and cardiovascular health. A study of Medicare participants found that the fine particles released from car emissions can result in an increase in hospitalizations due to heart failure and heart disease, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

    Other Findings

    • Traffic-related air pollution may be responsible for a higher death rate among those who have survived a past stroke, according to Dr. Ravi Maheswaran, a researcher in England. In addition, women may experience decreased success with in-vitro fertilization procedures if exposed to higher air pollution, this according to a study led by Dr. Richard S. Legro of the Penn State University College of Medicine. What we eat and drink can also be directly impacted by car-based air pollution. The fine particles of air pollution settle on our land and in our water, where it can lead to food and water contamination, negatively impacting the safety of our food supply.

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