The health effects of air pollution on humans cannot be stressed out further, and we need this more today because of the pandemic threat to our world, prompting us to stay healthy even more. We care a lot about your health, too, since we’re all part of this problem, which needs a solution.
Air pollution is nearly everywhere – from the streets to the homes that we dwell in, and even reaching the rural areas. True enough, since we live in a modernized time, the effects of air pollution can be even more drastic due to overpopulation and other factors.
So what exactly does pollution do to humans? How does it compromise our health and our well-being? How does it affect our lives? In this article, we’ll give you the answers in full detail.
What are the effects of air pollution on human health?
Humans can suffer greatly when exposed to air pollution. We can experience the following:
| Respiratory problems | This may include cough and other respiratory concerns. This is because you breathe dirty air, which can clog your airways and make your cough worse than normal. |
| Eye irritation | Eye irritation happens because certain particles get into our eyes when we are exposed to polluted air. Eye irritation can lead to blindness when not treated properly. |
| Nasal allergies | Nasal allergies or allergic rhinitis can worsen if you breathe air that is polluted. This is especially the case if you aren’t wearing a face mask when going outside or in areas with terrible dust count. |
| Headache and fatigue | Air pollution can sometimes hold VOCs or chemicals that make us feel dizzy because they are harmful to our health. Other than that, mold spores can also cause headaches, which also get in the way of clean air. |
| Damage to reproductive organs | Air that was polluted due to radiation can cause damage to the reproductive system of humans. |
| Damage to the nervous system | The use of aerosols can harm our nervous system, alongside radiation that goes into the air. |
| Cardiovascular problems | Stroke and heart failure can be linked to bad air quality since we aren’t breathing clean air in a sense. |
Can you get sick from air pollution?
Yes! You can get sick just from breathing unhealthy air as we mentioned above. Here are the specific types of air pollution components and how they can make you sick:
- Dust – if you have allergic rhinitis, you can get an even worse condition if you inhale too much dust wherever you are.
- Pet dander – just the same, your nasal allergies can also act up even more if pet dander is swirling around your indoor space.
- Smoke and tobacco – these can give you lung problems because they are made up of harsh chemicals that could compromise your respiratory system. This is why second-hand smoke is a problem in which most of us are at risk.
- VOCs – also called volatile organic compounds, these chemicals can be found in household chemicals, cleaners, pesticides, and the like. The problem with them is not just that they cause harm to the ozone layer, but they could also damage our respiratory system due to containing harsh chemical compounds.
Can you die from air pollution?
Yes, air pollution can be fatal when it’s not managed properly. Air pollution can be the cause of lung cancer and other respiratory problems. People who are prone to stroke and heart problems can also be at risk when they are exposed to dirty and unhealthy air.
This is why cleaning the air you breathe is important. Whether you go outside or stay indoors, there will always be air pollution around you. Check out our article on 10 ways to reduce air pollution at home.
Who is most affected by air pollution?
Air pollution greatly affects the following people:
- Construction workers. Because they are exposed to an environment where dust is everywhere, it can be difficult for them to stay healthy due to the situation. Even with protective equipment at hand, there are times when they need to take it off to start a conversation, eat, or drink.
Because of this, construction workers are at risk for lung and respiratory problems and that’s why their workspace needs to be clean and safe. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up some picks for the best air purifier for construction dust.
- Senior citizens. Seniors have a weakened immune system, which makes them more prone to any kind of respiratory problem. That’s why if they have a cough, they’ll have it worse than us. That’s also why they are more prone to having pneumonia than adults and teens.
- Children and babies. Just like seniors, babies are also more at risk with the negative effects of air pollution because they still haven’t developed a good immune system yet. They tend to be more prone to respiratory problems and that’s why they need all the protection they can get.
- People living in urban areas. Smoke is all over the place when you live in an urban landscape, and that’s what makes it dangerous to the people who live there. You might think that the air feels normal to breathe but under a microscope, there can be small bits of harmful chemical compounds that can build up inside our lungs.
- People with existing respiratory conditions. If you have asthma, allergic rhinitis, and similar respiratory conditions, you’re more likely to react badly to bad air quality, especially one that has a lot of dust and particulate matter to breathe in and out. This is why countermeasures such as air purifiers are recommended for such people.
Final Thoughts
In the long run, keeping our environment clean and safe to breathe in is something that we can do. By reducing the sources of air pollution around us, we can make a change so that people won’t have to suffer from the negative health effects of air pollution around us. We’re doing this not just for ourselves and our families but also for the future generations beyond our time.
