This document summarizes the health effects of air pollution. It states that children, the elderly, and those with preexisting heart or lung conditions are most vulnerable. The risks depend on individual health, pollutant type and concentration, and exposure length. Common diseases caused by air pollution include respiratory illnesses like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia as well as heart disease, cancer, and premature death. Air pollution has been shown to increase risks for a variety of health issues.

1. Diseases Caused by Air
Pollution

2. Children and the elderly
… are especially vulnerable to the bad health
effects of air pollution.

3. The risks depend on:
 current health status,
 the pollutant type and concentration,
 the length of exposure to the polluted air.

4. People susceptible to health
problems from air pollution are:
Individuals with
lung diseases
such as asthma,
emphysema or
chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease
(COPD)
Individuals with heart
disease, coronary
artery disease.

5. Pregnant women
Older adults
Children under age 14
Athletes who
exercise
outdoors a
lot
workers
Furthermore…

6. THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
The effects of air pollution involve a large
variety of illnesses,
starting with the simple irritation of eyes, nose,
mouth and throat
or diminished energy levels,
headache, but also potentially
more serious conditions –
of which the most
common are…

7.  Respiratory and lung diseases, including:
 Asthma attacks
 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease –COPD
 Reduced lung function
 Pulmonary cancer – caused by a series of carcinogen
chemicals that enter the body through inhalation
 Pneumonia
 Leukemia – a type of blood cancer usually associated with
exposure to benzene vapors (through inhalation)
 Birth defects and immune system defects
 Cardiovascular problems, heart disease and stroke (an
increased risk especially due to particulate matter)
 Neurobehavioral disorders
 Premature death
THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

8. Thank you!