How harmful is air pollution really?

Veröffentlicht am: October 04, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

Would you drink contaminated water? Absolutely not! Because you know that it can harm you. With air, on the other hand, we breathe in gases and particulate matter every day without even realizing it. 

Air pollution is considered to be the biggest environmental health threat in the world today. In the European region, almost everyone, i.e. around 90% of citizens, is affected by it in the form of particulate matter or exhaust fumes. According to the WHO, these levels are usually above the air quality guidelines and are therefore considered problematic.

How does air pollution harm us? 

When we breathe in air pollutants, they enter our body via the airways and lungs, where they are subsequently absorbed by the bloodstream and can affect organs. The smaller the substances, such as particulate matter, the greater the damage they can cause. This is because small particles can penetrate deep into our bodies. 

According to the WHO, air pollution is the second most common cause of death from non-communicable diseases worldwide - accounting for almost as many deaths as tobacco smoking. The consequences of air pollution are numerous, ranging from simple irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes and nose to serious illnesses such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic lung disease and lung cancer. 

But let's take a closer look at the 4 most serious consequences...

1. air pollution damages the heart

The WHO estimates that around 7 million people worldwide die every year as a result of air pollution. Half of these are from cardiovascular diseases. According to the Global Burden Disease Report, heart disease is the most common cause of death and is partly due to increasing urbanization and the associated exposure to polluted air. Experts believe that air pollution could be responsible for 19% of all cardiovascular deaths. 

According to experts, the risks of air pollution today are much greater than previously assumed. The risk of heart disease and strokes in particular is increasing significantly. An English study shows that for every 50 people admitted to hospital with a heart attack, one case is caused by air pollution.

➤ 1 in 50 heart attacks is linked to air pollution!

2. air pollution damages the lungs

It is estimated that around 500,000 deaths from lung cancer and 1.6 million deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be attributed to air pollution. 

3. air pollution increases the risk of diabetes

An American study published back in 2018 linked outdoor air pollution, even at "harmless" levels, to a higher risk of diabetes worldwide. 

In the study, the health data of 1.7 million test subjects were analyzed and linked with data on air pollution. Of those test subjects who were exposed to elevated levels of particulate matter (still below the limit values), over 20% developed diabetes. 

➤ Air pollution increases the risk of diabetes!

4. air pollution damages the brain

A study from 2020 found a link between air pollution and a higher risk of dementia. 

And not only that, children are already affected by the consequences of air pollution. Another study, also conducted in 2020, suggests that air pollutants are associated with a change in gray matter, i.e. the center for motor control and sensory perception, and have a negative impact.

➤ Air pollutants can influence children's brain development!

What can we do to prevent the consequences of daily air pollution?

Support your body from the inside

In general, you should try to reduce your exposure to stress. It can also be useful to strengthen your health from the inside in order to minimize the risk

1) Omega 3 for heart and brain:

Experts recommend the proactive intake of high-quality omega 3 to prevent cardiovascular disease, and the valuable fatty acids EPA and DHA also play an important role in brain health. 

2) R-alpha lipoic acid against free radicals: 

The powerful antioxidant R-alpha lipoic acid helps to protect the body from free radicals, such as those found in tobacco smoke or environmental toxins and air pollution. 

3) Pomegranate for the heart: 

A promising candidate in the fight against heart disease is pomegranate extract. The heart-protecting ingredient is packed with unique antioxidants that help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

4) Resveratrol Forte Plus for blood pressure: 

The secondary plant substance resveratrol helps to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

TIP: Offset the negative effects with sport

Now the question arises, should you spend much time outside at all? Of course you should! New research from the University of Copenhagen has shown that if you exercise properly and sufficiently outdoors, you can counteract the harmful effects of air pollution.

Conclusion:

Air pollution is a real and everyday danger to which we are constantly exposed. This issue will become increasingly important, especially in the future, which is why everyone should do something about it. For example, avoid busy roads when cycling or walking. Follow a healthy lifestyle and support your body from the inside to better protect it from negative environmental influences.

 

Sources (in English):

Bowe, B., Xie, Y., Li, T., Yan, Y., Xian, H., & Al-Aly, Z. (2018). The 2016 global and national burden of diabetes mellitus attributable to PM2-5 air pollution. The Lancet. Planetary health, 2(7), e301-e312. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(18)30140-2

Grande G, Ljungman PLS, Eneroth K, Bellander T, Rizzuto D. Association Between Cardiovascular Disease and Long-term Exposure to Air Pollution With the Risk of Dementia. JAMA Neurol. 2020;77(7):801-809. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.4914

Beckwith T, Cecil K, Altaye M, Severs R, Wolfe C, et al. (2020) Reduced gray matter volume and cortical thickness associated with traffic-related air pollution in a longitudinally studied pediatric cohort. PLOS ONE 15(1): e0228092. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228092

Poloniecki JD, Atkinson RW, de Leon AP, et al. (1997). Daily time series for cardiovascular hospital admissions and previous day's air pollution in London, UK. Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 54:535-540. Available at: [https://oem.bmj.com/content/54/8/535]

University of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. (2015, March 30). Exercise can outweigh harmful effects of air pollution. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 12, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150330084238.htm

Andersen, Z. J., de Nazelle, A., Mendez, M. A., Garcia-Aymerich, J., Hertel, O., Tjønneland, A., Overvad, K., Raaschou-Nielsen, O., & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J. (2015). A study of the combined effects of physical activity and air pollution on mortality in elderly urban residents: the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Cohort. Environmental health perspectives, 123(6), 557-563. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408698

Kim, J. B., Prunicki, M., Haddad, F., Dant, C., Sampath, V., Patel, R., Smith, E., Akdis, C., Balmes, J., Snyder, M. P., Wu, J. C., & Nadeau, K. C. (2020). Cumulative Lifetime Burden of Cardiovascular Disease From Early Exposure to Air Pollution. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9(6), e014944. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.119.014944

Schraufnagel, D. E., Balmes, J. R., Cowl, C. T., De Matteis, S., Jung, S. H., Mortimer, K., Perez-Padilla, R., Rice, M. B., Riojas-Rodriguez, H., Sood, A., Thurston, G. D., To, T., Vanker, A., & Wuebbles, D. J. (2019). Air Pollution and Noncommunicable Diseases: A Review by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies' Environmental Committee, Part 2: Air Pollution and Organ Systems. Chest, 155(2), 417-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2018.10.041