Environmental Health Impacts of Air Pollution

Running head: AIR POLLUTION 1
Air pollution
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Air pollution
Introduction
Air pollution is a significant environmental health problem that has significant impacts on
the health of human beings. Air pollution has been recognized as a significant cause of diseases,
hospitalization as well as premature death. There is well-established evidence of the association
between the environment and health. According to the world health organization, environmental
factors account for 24 percent of the worldwide burden of illness and 23 percent of all deaths
(Chakraborty & Green, 2014). The impacts of the environmental factors are disproportionately
borne by those with the lowest incomes, mainly the aboriginal and racialized groups. Therefore,
the most vulnerable individuals in developing nations are at the most significant risk of harm
from environmental pollution (Chakraborty & Green, 2014). The present study will discuss air
pollution and its influence on the determinants of health.
Pollution and Determinants of Health
Air contamination both in the outdoor and indoor is attributed to pollution by physical,
biological, and chemical agents that alter the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. The
primary contaminants of the air are released into the atmosphere from different sources, for
instance, powders, which are mainly due to human activities or natural processes. Secondary
contaminants emanate from modification, for example, change of the ozone (Butler & Whelan,
2018). Particulate matter is the major pollutants that have significant health impact; hence are
considered the most important pollutants. Particulate matter is a suspension in the air of liquids
and solids that vary in size distribution based on the source of emission.

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Disparities in health outcomes are attributed to both environmental which includes
chemical, physical, and biological agents and social factors including education levels, income
and social status, gender, culture, residential factors, among others (Chakraborty & Green, 2014).
People that experience multiple physical, social, and chemical ecological stressors are at a
significant risk of contracting diseases (Kelly & Fussell, 2015). Individuals of low to moderate-
income, mainly of a marginalized or aboriginal community, are more likely to be exposed to
numerous air pollutants in some regions across the globe. The individuals from such
communities have higher harmful impacts of air pollution due to high rates of preexisting
chronic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The vulnerabilities
experienced by the groups concur with other social stressors such as inadequate housing,
poverty, poor nutrition, limited health facilities as well as psychosocial stress which
consequently intensify adverse health impacts from air pollution.
Indoor air contamination is a major worldwide health threat as a significant number of the
global population continues to depend on solid fuels, including biomass fuel and coal, to meet
their energy requirements. Use of the solid fuel on open fires or the ancient stoves generates high
amounts of health-damaging contaminants such as carbon monoxide and particulates (Butler &
Whelan, 2018). Females and young children are the most affected by indoor air pollution as they
are responsible for cooking, and children are likely to spend their time with their mothers (Butler
& Whelan, 2018). Environmental insults in the early years have long-lasting impacts on the
productivity and health of individuals. Also, indoor air pollution accounts for a significant
number of mortality cases among children and women, especially in developing nations.
There are various probable aspects in which air pollution is linked to educational
outcomes (Roth, 2017). Deterioration of oxygen brought about by air pollution has major

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implications on academic achievement since the brain uses a lot of the oxygen absorbed by the
body. Exposure to air pollution has deleterious consequences on the brain development of a child
and fetus. Air pollution is also associated with irritations of the eyes, nose, and throat; moreover,
it is attributed to the high increase in an asthma attack, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness, which
consequently affects the performance of the students. An increase in pollution is linked to high
absenteeism in schools, mainly due to pollution-related incidents. Absenteeism has a negative
impact on educational achievement due to reduced contact time in learning institutions (Roth,
2017). Due to limited education, individuals in high pollution areas are likely to work in low-
income jobs. Individuals in low-income employment are expected to live in extremely congested
surroundings; hence are further prone to increased exposure to air pollution (Roth, 2017). The
housing in low-income neighborhoods is likely to be of poor quality with limited ventilation to
allow airflow.
Different aspects of the social and physical environment have significant implications on
the health outcomes of people. Numerous factors in the societal environment are critical to the
health of individuals, including those associated with safety, violence, and social disorder in
general (Roth, 2017). Other factors, including social cohesion social capital and the collective
efficacy of the neighborhood environment, contribute significantly to the health outcomes of the
people. Social integration and participation in the immediate social environment, for instance,
dwelling place, the work environment is essential to the physical and mental health outcomes
(Portugal et al., 2017). Social relationship network is a critical source of support and has
significant influences on the health behaviors of a population. The surrounding environment can
lead to the development of stress, which has biological implications. Social support is one of the
mechanisms through which the social environment can promote health (Roth, 2017). Social