Air quality

We should reduce exposures to air pollution as much as we can. The impact of air pollution on an individual will depend on factors including the type and amount of air pollution they are exposed to, how long they are exposed, and their pre-existing health conditions and age. 

Health impacts from exposure to certain air pollutants can include:

• Headache and eye, nose and throat irritation
• Asthma onset and exacerbations
• Respiratory infections
• Lung cancer
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Death

Recent studies have found that exposure to certain air pollutants may also be linked to reduced lung function, pre-term birth, low birth weight, cognitive development, mental health outcomes, dementia, and diabetes.  

Some individuals are more exposed to air pollution, such as those living, working, or spending time near busy roads or industrial areas, as well as those in regions where wood-burning stoves or fireplaces are used. 

Certain groups of people may also be more at risk for health effects from exposure to air pollution for medical reasons.  

This includes:

• People with pre-existing chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and diabetes
• People who are pregnant
• Infants and small children
• Older adults
• People with a current or recent respiratory infection

Infants and small children are especially susceptible to air pollution exposures for reasons including: 

• Children’s lungs, other organs, and immune systems are developing rapidly, and air pollution may affect these processes. 
• Children take in more air pollution because they breathe faster and inhale more air relative to body size than adults. 
• Children take in more air pollution because they are generally more physically active than adults. 

Other people can be affected by air quality, too. Everyone responds differently, so listen to your body and reduce your exposure if the air quality is affecting you.