Air pollution can have a detrimental effect on human health. This is because it can cause respiratory problems, asthma, and other diseases. In fact, there is a strong correlation between air pollution and diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Fine particle pollution
The air we breathe is polluted by particulate matter, which can contain smoke, dust, liquid droplets, metallic compounds and inorganic ions. These substances can be harmful to the health of humans. Particle pollution has been associated with cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Fine particle pollution is the tiniest pollutant, and it can enter the bloodstream when inhaled. This exposure can cause short-term effects like aggravated asthma and heart disease, as well as long-term effects such as bronchitis and lung cancer.
Fine particle pollution is the most harmful type of air pollution. PM10 and PM2.5 have been linked to respiratory diseases, strokes, heart attacks and premature death. People with pre-existing conditions are more susceptible to the harm caused by particle pollution.
There are many causes of particles in the air, including automobiles, wood burning stoves, home heating oil combustion and construction and demolition activities. In addition, the wind can carry them hundreds of miles from the source.
Underlying rate
Air pollution is a known cause of premature death. This is because exposure to air pollution increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. However, the actual number of deaths associated with air pollution is relatively small compared to the number of people exposed.
Health Canada has commissioned a national study to estimate the health impact of air pollution. The study used information from the Air Quality Benefits Assessment Tool (AQBAT) to produce estimates of excess health outcomes. For example, AQBAT estimates that PM2.5 exposure contributes to 10,000 nonaccidental deaths per year in Canada.
The AQBAT results are expected to underestimate the magnitude of the air pollution-related mortality. A better way to measure the impact of air pollution would be to use a measure of health outcomes per 100,000 population. Although this method would not allow for comparisons among geographic regions, it provides a more objective view of the health burden posed by air pollution.
The AQBAT results are based on a probabilistic approach, which accounts for the valuation uncertainty of individual exposure estimates. This model uses a concentration-response function to determine the number of health endpoints associated with a given increment in pollutant concentration.
Attributable rate
There is no doubt that pollution impacts the health of our planet’s inhabitants. It is the leading global cause of death and is a leading contributor to over four trillion dollars in economic losses each year. This is not to mention the fact that it affects our ability to live healthier lives.
Air pollution is a combination of outdoor and indoor particulate matter. The Global Health Data Exchange (GHDE) compiled data on air quality and ozone. They analyzed these to provide an estimate of air pollution’s effect on our health.
Air pollution is associated with over 100 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per year. One estimate found that nearly seven million deaths worldwide are attributable to it. In Europe, air pollution was the leading cause of death, accounting for 44.6% of total deaths in the region in 1990. However, this number is expected to reduce in the coming years.
Air pollution has a major impact on health, more so than smoking and alcohol. Although it is difficult to attribute an exact percentage of these deaths to air pollution, it is clear that household and ambient forms of pollution have a significant impact on health.
Social determinants of health
The social determinants of health are conditions in which people are born, grow, work, and live. These factors have a major influence on a wide variety of health indicators. They can be classified into individual, structural, and intersecting determinants. Those who are living in poverty or who have poor housing or access to health care are at a higher risk for poor health outcomes.
Air pollution is a significant determinant of health. People of color are at a much greater risk than White people. Poor air quality causes a wide range of problems, including respiratory illnesses, headaches, and allergies.
In the United States, people of color have a higher death rate from PM2.5 than people in the bottom 1% of the income distribution. Black children are eight times more likely to die from an asthma attack than White children.
The health of people of color is exacerbated by discrimination, which has synergistic effects on the exposure to air pollution. Polluting industries are intentionally situated in communities of color.
