Diseases Caused by Air Pollution

Air pollution is recognised as one of the primary causes damaging a person’s respiratory health and overall well-being. The diseases caused by air pollution are many, including asthma, pneumonia, cardiovascular conditions, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, and more.

Air pollution is a matter of grave concern, demanding immediate attention. It causes environmental damage and is the cause of death for millions of people globally. Sometimes, you can see the pollution as smoke, whereas at other times, you can smell it even if it is not visible to the naked eye.
 

Air pollution can lead to many respiratory diseases as people breathe in chemicals, toxins, and other pollutants. There are also many other diseases caused by air pollutants besides respiratory ailments. 
 

In this article, you will learn about the list of diseases caused by air pollution, their effects, risk factors, and the measures to control the impact.

What are the Causes of Air Pollution?

Many elements contribute to the levels of environmental pollution. You must have seen the Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorating often. But did you ever wonder about the causes of air pollution and the diseases caused by air pollution?
 

Smoke released from vehicles is undoubtedly one of the leading causes of chemicals and contaminants spreading into the air. The other major contributors are:
 

• Wildfires during different seasons

• Fossil fuel burning

• Burning of dry leaves and garbage waste

• Microbial decaying procedures

• Construction and demolition

• Indoor air pollution

• Bursting of crackers during festivals

What Are the Health Diseases Caused by Air Pollution?

Air pollution comprises many pollutants, such as harmful gases and particulate matter. When you breathe, these pollutants enter your body through the airways, travelling to the lungs and the circulatory system. 
 

They damage many bodily organs and lead to the diseases described below: 
 

1. Chronic Bronchitis

   Bronchi are the large tubes connected to your windpipe. They are affected by exposure to dangerous gases like nitrogen oxide and a greater pollution level in the air. Their prolonged swelling leads to chronic bronchitis. 
    

   The bronchi direct the air you breathe to the left or right side of your lungs. If not managed wisely, chronic bronchitis can cause other severe lung infections. 
    

2. Asthma

   Air pollution causes asthma, making it difficult for people to breathe. It causes the interior walls of the airways in the lungs to swell up and produce extra mucus. 
    

   Asthma is a chronic condition and is not cured instantly. It causes breathlessness and makes it difficult for people to complete their routine activities. 
    

3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

   COPD is another disease caused by air pollution. Patients experience inflammation in the lungs, which obstructs the airflow. As a result, the affected person cannot breathe with ease. The lung damage from COPD is irreversible and can lead to more chronic conditions like bronchitis and emphysema. 
    

   COPD symptoms include:
    

   • Chest tightness

   • Weight loss

   • Wheezing

   • Frequent respiratory infections

   • Lack of energy 
      

4. Cardiovascular Conditions

   Particulate matter in the air can hamper the functioning of blood vessels and fasten artery calcification. This can result in blockage of blood vessels and heart attacks. 
    

   Getting exposed to traffic-related air pollution may lower your good cholesterol or HDL. As a result, your risk of cardiovascular diseases increases. Air pollution causes cardiovascular conditions like heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias. 
    

5. Lung Cancer

   A grievous disease caused by air pollution is lung cancer. Carcinogens are present in particulate matter and harmful gases. They have adverse effects on your lungs and can result in lung cancer. 
    

   Lung cancer is a condition in which cancer cells grow abnormally in the lungs, ultimately resulting in respiratory system failure. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are voice hoarseness, chest pain, shortness of breath, unintended weight loss, wheezing, and blood in the sputum.

Effects of Air Pollution

Air pollution can impact different body parts depending on how long you are exposed to the negative elements. 
 

Effects Of Air Pollution in The Short-Term

The initial exposure to air pollution is felt in the form of the following minor symptoms:
 

• Discomfort in the eyes, nose, throat, and skin

• Sore throat

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Wheezing

• Chronic mucus

• Chronic cough

• Chest pain

• Headaches
   

Effects Of Air Pollution in The Long-Term

In the event of frequent and prolonged exposure to air pollutants, you can suffer from the following long-term health problems:
 

• Lung cancer

• Weakened immune system

• Low reproductive rates

• Heart diseases

• Birth defects

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Lung disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema

• Damages to vital organs like kidneys, brain, liver, and nerves

Measures To Restrict the Diseases Caused by Air Pollution

To control diseases caused due to air pollution, there is a need to implement innovative strategies like developing technology to reduce emissions and setting emission standards. 
 

• One effective way to lower air pollution is source control. It involves ceasing pollution at the source level through various measures like improving the efficiency of industrial processes and using less pollution-emitting fuels. 
• Adopting technology to reduce emission levels can improve the overall quality of air. For instance, some methods to restrict air pollution are using scrubbers on smokestacks and electrostatic precipitators, mechanical collectors, and filters on tailpipes. 
• Sometimes, geographical locations play a role in reducing air quality. This is because of the presence of pollution-producing establishments like factories nearby. To combat the issue, building owners can take care of the building occupants by maintaining quality, high-efficiency air filters in HVAC systems. Air filters can handle particles of sub-micron size and ozone as well. 
• At an individual level, you can prevent the diseases caused by air pollution by wearing smog masks, choosing sustainable products, using clean fuels for cooking, investing in an air purifier, opting for carpooling and keeping houses clean and dust-free.

Conclusion

Pollution has emerged as a prominent challenge in many parts of the world. It is essential to start doing your bit to overcome its damaging effects on your health and the planet. You must practise some precautions and take care of yourself for a healthy and long life. 
 

Investing in health insurance and life insurance plans is a step forward in protecting yourself from rising medical costs and diseases caused due to air pollution and ensuring your family’s financial well-being in case of any eventualities. 
 

A health insurance plan, coupled with a life insurance plan (add a Critical Illness Benefit rider if your health insurance doesn’t cover it), can offer coverage against many minor and major-stage illnesses and offer long-term financial security.