Adverse health impacts of air pollution--continuing problems

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Toxicology

Background:

• Growing evidence links fine particulate matter to adverse health outcomes, including premature death.
• Tropospheric ozone, often with sulfates, is associated with respiratory emergencies and hospitalizations.
• The health impacts of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide at current levels require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on the health effects of various air pollutants.
• To highlight the known and suspected impacts of fine particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds.
• To underscore the need for continued assessment of air pollution's health and economic costs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of published evidence on air pollution and health outcomes.
• Analysis of associations between specific pollutants (particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, VOCs) and health effects.
• Consideration of independent and combined effects of pollutants.

Main Results:

• Fine particulate pollution is clearly associated with accelerated mortality.
• Tropospheric ozone and aerosol sulfates are linked to increased emergency visits and hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, potentially worsening asthma.
• The independent roles of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide remain less defined, though their combined effects with particulate pollution are known to be harmful.
• Emerging evidence suggests ambient volatile organic compounds may cause symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Current air pollution levels, particularly fine particulate matter and ozone, pose significant risks to public health.
• Further research is crucial to precisely define the health impacts of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
• Economic assessments of air pollution's health burden are expected to increase in scope and intensity.