Air Pollution
Global impact of fire emission on ambient nitrate (NO3-) and health effects during 2005–2019. Journal of Hazardous Materials.
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WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
Air Pollution
Humanity’s impact on Earth’s natural systems is affecting the quality of the air we breathe.
Air pollution is attributed to natural sources like dust storms, and human activities like vehicle emissions, industrial processes, burning wood, and power plants. Inhaled particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues, heart disease, and other health problems, especially for vulnerable populations. Biomass burning for agriculture in places like equatorial Asia is driving sharp increases in particulate air pollution and associated morbidity and mortality. In some regions, air pollution has become so pervasive that it obscures the sun, altering regional weather patterns, reducing agricultural yields, and accelerating glacial melting.
In addition to particulate pollution, warmer temperatures associated with climate change increase the formation of tropospheric ozone, a main constituent of smog and contributor to cardiorespiratory disease. Warmer temperatures and higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are associated with longer pollen seasons and increased pollen production, intensifying allergic respiratory diseases, such as asthma.
8M Deaths per year
One modelling study concluded that fine particulate and ozone air pollution contribute to more than 8 million all-cause deaths per year.
Air-pollution deaths are substantially more likely in low- and middle-income countries.
Browse the resources below to learn more about air quality and ways to protect the air we breathe.
“… pollution control is highly cost-effective and, because pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss are closely linked, actions taken to control pollution have a high potential to also mitigate the effects of those other planetary threats.”
– Lelieveld et al. Pollution and health: A progress update
Air Pollution Resources
Air Pollution Governance and Policy
Urban carbon reduction and public health outcomes. Scientific Reports.
This study revealed that low-carbon city policies in China significantly reduce urban mortality by cutting emissions and pollution. These policies benefit public health, especially in underserved cities, through green innovation and by slowing harmful urbanization trends.
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Noncommunicable Diseases Air Pollution
Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution Associated with the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in China: Effect Size and Urban–Rural disparities. BMC Public Health.
This study found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollution accelerates the development and complications of type 2 diabetes in China, with urban areas showing higher onset rates and rural areas facing greater mortality risk and healthcare disparities.
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Air Pollution Climate Change
Trends in population exposure to compound extreme-risk temperature and air pollution across 35 European countries: A modelling study. The Lancet Planetary Health.
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Life Stage and Reproductive Health Noncommunicable Diseases
Early-life ozone exposure and asthma and wheeze in children. JAMA Network Open.
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