Are you aware of the side effects of air pollution on our health?
Air pollution is a silent killer in our lives. It is a great threat to global health. Air pollution is responsible for more than 6.5 million deaths each year globally. This number has been increasing over the past two decades.
So, what happens to our bodies due to air pollution?
Microscopic particles enter cells and organs – our lungs, heart, blood and brain. It may lead to millions suffering from diseases like strokes, heart attacks, asthma, cancer and dementia.
Let’s explore the list of common diseases associated with air pollution.
What Is Air Pollution?
Air pollution combines hazardous materials from both human-made and natural sources.
The primary sources of human-made air pollution are vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas, by-products from manufacturing and power generation.
Nature releases hazardous substances into the air, including smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and methane from decomposing organic matter in soils.
Finally, these hazardous materials make your natural air dirty and dangerous.
Now, we are going to enlist those diseases caused by air pollution.
6-Common Diseases Caused by Air Pollution
Cancer
Air pollution is the primary cause of cancer. Exposure to airborne carcinogens, such as those emitted during the burning of fossil fuels, is the cause of cancer.
Cancer can grow in any organ of your body. However, it is commonly found in the lungs[w1] due to air pollution. Non-small cell lung cancer is also the most common type of lung cancer. It represents almost 80% of all cases.
It is generally less harmful than small-cell lung cancer and has a better diagnosis.
Cause: Smoking is also a significant cause of lung cancer. It accounts for around 85% of all cases. Other risk factors are Air pollution, asbestos, radon gas, and secondhand smoke exposure.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis can result from long-term Exposure to elevated air pollution, mainly when there is a high amount of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.
Bronchitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchial tube lining resulting from air pollution that transports air to and from the lungs.
Symptoms: The two main bronchitis symptoms are shortness of breath and sustained, severe coughing with thick mucus.
Immune system disorders
Air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the first few months of life can also reduce immunity, leaving the unborn child more vulnerable to a variety of health issues. Air pollution-related diseases in babies can result in serious health problems when they get older.
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is a cancer affecting blood and bone marrow.
Symptoms: bruising, joint and bone pain, bleeding, weight loss, and fever.
Causes: Major causes of leukaemia include Exposure to radiation and airborne hazardous substances, smoking, family history,
Asthma
It is a condition in which the airways narrow and swell, forming extra mucus. It can create breathing difficulties and lead to wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea.
Environmental factors like air pollution, cold weather, and pollen frequently trigger asthma. It’s critical to recognize these triggers and, if feasible, avoid them.
Having an asthma treatment action plan is crucial if you have the condition so that you can know what to do in the event of an asthma attack.
Finally, an asthma treatment action plan is crucial for individuals to know how to respond to an asthma attack.
Hearing Issues
Recent studies show that air pollution harms hearing and ear diseases, including Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL).
However, routine hearing tests can help early detect hearing loss caused by environmental factors like air pollution.