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Health Effects of Smog

Smog was a term first coined in London during the 1900s. It is a combination of the words smoke and fog, but over the years, the definition of smog has evolved to include additional pollutants. These pollutants include power-plant emissions, automobile exhaust, paint, hair spray and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Smog, like many types of air pollution, can cause several health issues.

  1. Irritation

    • Smog causes irritation to many parts of the body. According to Health Canada, it can irritate the eyes, the lungs, the heart, the nose and the throat. This irritation can cause burning and itching as well as difficulty breathing, especially when smog levels are elevated.

    Coughing

    • Health Canada also notes that since smog causes irritation, it can also lead to coughing, choking and wheezing. Coughing or wheezing can be mild to severe, depending on the levels of smog at a particular time. Both wheezing and coughing can become chronic issues that require medical treatment. Some individuals may only have issues with coughing or wheezing when smog levels become elevated.

    Respiratory Diseases

    • According to a study performed by David Abbey, Ph.D., individuals who live in areas with high levels of smog are at a higher risk of developing various respiratory diseases or illnesses. This included an increase of 74 percent in developing asthma accompanied by a 3 percent increase in developing bronchitis.

    Immune System

    • According to both the Air Quality Management District of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, smog has the potential to weaken the immune system. This can lead to a variety of diseases that affect the heart and the lungs. It can also cause additional illnesses or infections due to a compromised immune system. This leads to overall poorer health of individuals living in cities with elevated levels of smog.

    Lung Health

    • Smog can also severely affect the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing, and reduce lung function and overall lung capacity. Aside from causing respiratory diseases such as asthma or worsening existing diseases, smog can also lead to an increased risk of lung cancer.

    Women and Cancer

    • In the study performed by David Abbey, Ph.D., women living in cities with elevated levels of smog were at an increased risk of developing some form of cancer. This risk was elevated as high as 37 percent.

    Lifespan

    • Smog can also decrease the average lifespan and cause premature death. In fact, one such study performed by Brigham Young University's C. Arden Pope III, Ph.D., found that individuals living in cities with high levels of smog could lose one to three years of their lifespan. This is especially true for individuals who have spent all or the majority of their life living in a city polluted by smog.

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