Health Symptoms of Breathing Dirty Air

When you breathe in particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants, you may be said to be breathing dirty air.

Pollution that is most prevalent in the U.S. is particle and ozone pollution. These pollutants can come from various sources, including power plants, factories, vehicles, and wildfires.

Following is a list of health effects of breathing dirty air:

Contents

1 Premature Death
2 Asthma Attacks
3 Cardiovascular Disease
4 Lung cancer
5 Developmental harm
6 Infection susceptibility
7 Worsened COPD symptoms
8 Lung tissue inflammation and swelling
9 Low birth weight

Premature Death

Science suggests that short-term and long-term exposure to a city’s low air quality index history might shorten life expectancy and result in premature death.

Asthma Attacks

Exposure to ozone or particle pollution can exacerbate asthma attacks, leading to E.R. visits, hospital admissions, missed work or class, and other consequences.

Cardiovascular Disease

Both heart attacks & strokes are caused more by air pollution.

Lung cancer

In 2013, the World Health Organization found that increased particle pollution can lead to lung cancer, the main reason for cancer-related death in the U.S.

Developmental harm

Children exposed to air pollution may experience slowed or stunted lung development, which could negatively impact their health and adult lung function.

Infection susceptibility

Air pollution raises the risk of lung infections, particularly in young children.

Worsened COPD symptoms

Individuals experiencing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may find it more difficult to breathe when exposed to air pollution. Severe symptoms may necessitate hospitalization or even result in death.