| Title: | Environmental and Health Impacts of Air Pollution: A Review |
| Author(s): | Manisalidis I; Stavropoulou E; Stavropoulos A; Bezirtzoglou E; |
| Address: | "Delphis S.A., Kifisia, Greece. Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Service de Medicine Interne, Lausanne, Switzerland. School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2296-2565 (Print) 2296-2565 (Electronic) 2296-2565 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "One of our era's greatest scourges is air pollution, on account not only of its impact on climate change but also its impact on public and individual health due to increasing morbidity and mortality. There are many pollutants that are major factors in disease in humans. Among them, Particulate Matter (PM), particles of variable but very small diameter, penetrate the respiratory system via inhalation, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reproductive and central nervous system dysfunctions, and cancer. Despite the fact that ozone in the stratosphere plays a protective role against ultraviolet irradiation, it is harmful when in high concentration at ground level, also affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular system. Furthermore, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), dioxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are all considered air pollutants that are harmful to humans. Carbon monoxide can even provoke direct poisoning when breathed in at high levels. Heavy metals such as lead, when absorbed into the human body, can lead to direct poisoning or chronic intoxication, depending on exposure. Diseases occurring from the aforementioned substances include principally respiratory problems such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiolitis, and also lung cancer, cardiovascular events, central nervous system dysfunctions, and cutaneous diseases. Last but not least, climate change resulting from environmental pollution affects the geographical distribution of many infectious diseases, as do natural disasters. The only way to tackle this problem is through public awareness coupled with a multidisciplinary approach by scientific experts; national and international organizations must address the emergence of this threat and propose sustainable solutions" |
| Keywords: | *Air Pollutants/adverse effects *Air Pollution/adverse effects Environmental Exposure/adverse effects Humans *Ozone/analysis Particulate Matter/adverse effects air pollution environment gas emission health policy public health; |
| Notes: | "MedlineManisalidis, Ioannis Stavropoulou, Elisavet Stavropoulos, Agathangelos Bezirtzoglou, Eugenia eng Review Switzerland 2020/03/11 Front Public Health. 2020 Feb 20; 8:14. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00014. eCollection 2020" |
