It is evident that air pollution is the present disaster we all suffer from. As an effect of pollution, our health deteriorates every day. It is a leading environmental threat to us globally, affecting people across urban and rural areas alike. The present scenario indeed calls for strict precautions. We often think about the visible air pollution effects on health, but it goes far deeper than what our eyes can see. From a throat infection to the cardiovascular system, the effects of pollution hamper our health severely and it leaves lasting negative health consequences.
What’s in the Air We Breathe?
The air we breathe regularly is indeed not pure, it comprises a range of harmful substances. Air pollution comprises a range of harmful substances, including:
• Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Small harmful particles that can go deep into our lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): NO₂ is primarily released from vehicle exhaust and industrial activities, it can harm human’s respiratory parts.
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂): Effused from burning fossil fuels, it decays the respiratory system and can trigger asthma.
• Ozone (O₃): Another pollutant is ground-level ozone, released by a collision between sunlight and pollutants from vehicles or industries, a major component of smog.
These pollutants or air pollution affect our health in various complex ways, leading to short as well as long-term health effects.
Air Pollution Effects on Health
There are a range of diseases that can happen due to harmful pollution. These can be:
- Threat to Cardiovascular System: Beyond the lungs, harmful air pollution causes and effects the cardiovascular system. The alarming pollutants can enter the bloodstream and can cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to some diseases like Heart attack, stroke, hypertension, etc.
- Lowered Defences of Immune System: Various studies suggest that Air Pollution effects on health in ways that can weaken our immune system, and it can result in making the human body susceptible to infections and diseases. Particles can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which affect the immune response in several ways.
- Impact on the Brain: Air pollution is not just limited to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems; it can further penetrate the brain. Some of the pollutants, especially ultrafine particles, can surpass the blood-brain barrier which can lead to several neurological effects. It can develop issues in children as well as dementia in adults.
- Asthma Exacerbation: Asthma is a commonly known disease, a chronic lung disease that can affect people of all ages. Some pollutants like ozone and particulate matter can trigger disease and air pollution can even make symptoms worse for people with existing conditions.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): As one of the air pollution effects on health, it can also lead to COPD, a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. It can damage the results in swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, inside the airways that limit airflow into and out of the lungs.
- Reduced Lung Function: Let us tell you that children are easily exposed to high pollution levels, due to which they may experience reduced lung growth and function, which can have lifelong health consequences.
If we talk about the short-term effects of pollution, exposure to such harmful pollutants often leads to irritation of the eyes, throat, and nose, and even can trigger symptoms like sneezing, coughing, eye discomfort, and headaches. In addition, some people may also experience respiratory discomfort, like wheezing and shortness of breath, especially in locations with high pollution levels.
Additionally, pollution is indeed impacting everyone, however, there is a “Sensitive Group” which is highly alerted. This group can include children, senior citizens, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
Mitigating the Health Risks of Air Pollution
It is essential to understand the risks of air pollution, the first step towards protecting yourself. Here are some of the measures that one can take to tackle with air pollution effects on health:
- Monitor Air Quality: You can check the air quality index (AQI) in your neighboring area and avoid outdoor activities when pollution levels are high and unhealthy.
- Use Air Purifiers: Investing in a high-quality air purifier is a great idea to deal with pollution. These can reduce indoor pollution levels.
- Wear Masks: The most essential thing that you can consider doing is wearing a mask. If you need to be outdoors in a polluted atmosphere, wearing a mask can help filter out some harmful particles.
- Green Spaces and Indoor Plants: Try to keep plants at your home. Such an initiative can help improve indoor air quality, and green spaces also act as natural filters for urban areas.
- Diet and Antioxidants to Restrain Pollution’s Effects: To prevent the harmful effects of air pollution, one should take care of one’s diet. A diet rich in antioxidants can help fight oxidative stress caused by pollutants. Further, foods rich in vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids can provide a strong base to our immune system and improve the body’s resilience.
Fitness Tips to Deal with Pollution Effects
Physical activity or exercise is supposed to support respiratory health and boost immunity, but pollution may discourage outdoor exercise. Here are some fitness tips from Certified Trainers at Anytime Fitness that can help individuals stay active while minimizing exposure:
- Indoor Workouts: One can include more indoor exercises in their routine, like bodyweight circuits, yoga, or pilates.
- Breathing Exercises: Another option is deep breathing exercises that can strengthen the lungs. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing can improve lung function.
- Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water or keeping yourself hydrated can also help in flushing out toxins and keeps the respiratory system hydrated, which is essential for dealing with pollutants.
- Adjust Intensity: On high-pollution days, one can consider low-intensity workouts, as high-intensity exercises may cause you to inhale more pollutants.
Air Pollution effects on Health in a severe way, affecting approximately every system in the body. While the immediate effects may seem minor, the overall impact of long-term exposure can lead to chronic illnesses, reduced life expectancy, and low quality of life. It is essential to understand air pollution and take proper precautions. Taking steps to reduce exposure today can help protect our health and future generations.