Impact of Air Pollution to

Human Health
Robert Joseph B. Almoro

Summary:
Introduction
Classification of Air Pollution:
A. Outdoor Air Pollution
B. Indoor Air Pollution

People Most Susceptible to Severe Health Problems from

Air Pollution
WHO Air Quality Guidelines
Health Impact of Specific Air Pollutants
Small Particulate Matter
Immediate Health Problems
Long Term Exposure Effects

Introduction
Air Pollution is a major environmental health problem
affecting the developing and developed nations alike.
Its effects on health are complex as there are
numerous sources and their individual effects vary
from one to the other. It is not only ambient air
quality in the cities but also the indoor air quality in
the rural and the urban areas that is causing concern.
In the developing world, the highest air pollution
exposures occur in the indoor environment. Air
pollutants that are inhaled have serious impact on
human health affecting the lungs and the respiratory
system.

 By reducing air pollution levels, countries can

reduce the burden of diseases from stroke, heart
disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute
respiratory diseases, including asthma
The lower the levels of air pollution, the better
the cardiovascular and respiratory health of the
population will be, both long term and short term.

Ambient (Outdoor Air Pollution)

Outdoor Air Pollution in both cities and rural areas was
estimated to cause 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide
per year in 2012the mortality is due to exposure to small
particulate matter of 10 microns or less in diameter which
causes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancers.
Most sources of outdoor air pollution are beyond the control of
individuals and demand action by cities, as well as national
and international policymakers in sectors like transport,
energy waste management., buildings, and agriculture.
Reducing outdoor emissions from household coal and biomass
energy systems, agricultural waste incineration, forest fires
and certain agro-forestry activities(eg. Charcoal production)
would reduce key rural and peri-urban air pollution sources in
developing regions.

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor Air Pollution is a problem in developed
countries where efficient insulation keeps pollutants
inside the structure.
Indoor smoke is a serious health risk for some 3
billion people who cook and heat their homes with
biomass fuels and coal.
Some 4.3 million premature deaths were
attributable to household air pollution in 2012.
Almost all of that burden was in low-middle income
countries as well.

People Most Susceptible to Severe Health

Problems from Air Pollution:
1. Individuals with Heart diseasesuch as
coronary artery disease and congestive heart
failure
2. Individuals with Lung diseasesuch as
asthma,emphysema, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease(COPD).
3.Pregnant women
4.Outdoor workers
5.children under age 14, whose lungs are still
developing
6. Athletes who exercise vigorously outdoors

WHO Limit Guideline Values for

Exposure:

WHO Guideline Values

Particulate Matter:
PM 2.5
PM 10

10ug/m3 annual mean ; 25ug/m3 24 hour

mean
20 ug/m3 annual mean ; 50 ug/m3 24 hour
mean

Ozone ( O3)

100ug/m3 8 hour mean ;

Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2)

40ug/m3 annual mean ; 200ug/m3 1 hour

mean

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

20ug/m3 24 hour mean ; 500ug/m3 10 minute

mean

WHO Air Quality Guidelines

The 2015 WHO Air Quality Guidelines offer global
assistance on thresholds and limits for key air
pollutants that pose health risks.
The Guidelines indicate that by reducing particulate
matter pollution from 70 to 20 micrograms per cubic
meter(ug/m) pollution- related deaths can be reduced
by around 15%.
There are serious risks to health not only from
exposure to particulate matter(SPM) but also from
exposure to Ozone(O3), nitrogen dioxide(NO2), AND
sulfur dioxide(SO2)

Health Impact of Specific Air Pollutants

Tobacco smoke: tobacco smoke generates a wide range of

harmful chemicals, major cause of ill health; known to
cause cancer, not only to the smoker but affecting passive
smokers as well
Biological Pollutants: mostly allergens that can cause
asthma, hay fever, and other allergic diseases.
Volatile Organic Compounds: cause eye, nose,throat
irritations
Formaldehydes
Lead
Radon
Ozone
Oxides of nitrogen
Carbon monoxide
Sulfur Dioxide
SPM-suspended particulate matter

Small Particulate Matter(SPM)

SPM complex mixture that contains soot,
smoke,metals, nitrates, sulfates, dust, water and
tire rubber.
Importance of SPM as a major pollutant needs
special emphasis as:
It affects more people globally than any other pollutant
an a continuing basis
There are more monitoring data available on this than
any other pollutant
More epidemiological evidence has been collected on
exposure to this than any other pollutant.

Particulate Matter

Immediate Health Problems due to High Air

Pollution Levels

Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness

Added stress to heart snd lungs, which must work
harder to supply the body with oxygen
Damaged cells in the respiratory system

Permanent Health Effects Due to Long Term

Exposure to Polluted Air

Accelerated aging of lungs

Loss of lung capacity
Decreased lung function
Development of diseases such as asthma,
bronchitis, emphysema, and probably cancer
Shortened life span

Air pollutant

Health effects

Particulate matter

Increased mortality and morbidity

both daily and over time; have
health impacts even at very low
concentrations

Ozone (O3)

Breathing problems, trigger

asthma, reduce lung function,
cause lung diseases

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Reduce lung function, cause

symptoms of bronchitis in
asthmatic children

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Affect respiratory system and

reduce lung function, aggravation
of asthma and chronic bronchitis,
cause eye irritations