Air Pollution

 Health & Education

o Environmental Health Topics
 Environmental Agents
 Acrylamide
 Air Pollution
 Allergens & Irritants
 Aloe Vera
 Arsenic
 Bisphenol A (BPA)
 Cell Phone Radio Frequency Radiation
 Climate Change
 Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
 Dioxins
 Electric & Magnetic Fields
 Endocrine Disruptors
 Essential Oils
 Flame Retardants
 Formaldehyde
 Ginkgo
 Harmful Algal Blooms
 Hair Dye
 Hazardous Material/Waste
 Hexavalent Chromium
 Hydraulic Fracturing & Health
 Lead
 Mercury
 Mold
 Nanomaterials
 Ozone
 Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
 Pesticides
 Radon
 Soy Infant Formula
 Styrene
 Water Pollution
 Weather Extremes
Table of Contents

Introduction

Air pollution is a mixture of natural and man-made substances in the air we breathe. It
is typically separated into two categories: outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution.

Outdoor air pollution involves exposures that take place outside of the built
environment. Examples include:

 Fine particles produced by the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. the coal and petroleum
used in energy production)
 Noxious gases (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, chemical vapors,
etc.)
 Ground-level ozone (a reactive form of oxygen and a primary component of urban
smog)
 Tobacco Smoke

Indoor air pollution involves exposures to particulates, carbon oxides, and other
pollutants carried by indoor air or dust. Examples include:

 Gases (carbon monoxide, radon, etc.)

 Household products and chemicals
 Building materials (asbestos, formaldehyde, lead, etc.)
 Outdoor indoor allergens (cockroach and mouse dropping, etc.)
 Tobacco smoke
  Mold and pollen

In some instances, outdoor air pollution can make its way indoors by way of open
windows, doors, ventilation, etc.

What health effects are linked to air pollution?

Over the past 30 years, researchers have unearthed a wide array of health effects
which are believed to be associated with air pollution exposure. Among them are
respiratory diseases (including asthma and changes in lung function), cardiovascular
diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes (such as preterm birth), and even death.

In 2013, the World Health Organization concluded that outdoor air pollution
is carcinogen to humans.

How can I reduce my risk for air pollution exposure?

Indoor air pollution can be reduced by making sure that a building is well-ventilated and
cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of agents like dust and mold. Occupants would
also be wise to remove any known pollutants and or irritants (aerosols, stringent
cleaning supplies, etc.) whenever possible.

Outdoor air pollution exposures can be reduced by checking one’s Air Quality Index
(AQI), avoiding heavy traffic when possible, and avoiding secondhand tobacco smoke.

How is air pollution linked to climate change?

While climate change is a global process, it has very local impacts that can profoundly
affect communities, not the least of which is air pollution.

Increasing temperatures are directly linked to poor air quality which, in turn, can affect
the heart and exacerbate cardiovascular disease. Examples of this may include a rise
in pollen, due to increased plant growth, or a rise in molds, due to severe storms —
both of which can worsen allergies and other lung diseases, such as asthma.

Scientists say an increasing rise in ozone levels are also a concern.

Climate change is affecting the health of Americans1. As the climate continues to change, the
risks to human health will grow, exacerbating existing health threats and creating new public
health challenges. This assessment significantly advances what we know about the impacts of
climate change on public health, and the confidence with which we know it. While all
Americans will be affected by climate change, the report recognizes populations of concern,
such as children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and those living in disadvantaged communities,
who are disproportionately vulnerable.

Read the full report online

Video: Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific