Impact of Air Pollution on Health in Sydney

This article explores the impact of air pollution on the health of people living in Sydney. It discusses the health risks, diseases, and vulnerabilities associated with air pollution. The article also highlights the need for further research and provides insights into potential solutions.

Environmental Epidemiology

Table of Contents
Research Question.................................................................................................................................2
Search Strategy......................................................................................................................................2
Summary of results of studies found.....................................................................................................4
Biological plausibility...........................................................................................................................6
Gaps in the literature and future research direction...............................................................................6
References.............................................................................................................................................7
1

Research Question
Is air pollution imposing a significant impact on the health of Australian people?
Search Strategy
Air pollution and climate change are correlated to each other because air quality depends on
the weather. It is being predicted that urban development, temperature change, and
population growth has resulted in a decrease in the quality of air in urban areas. In Australia,
the leading causes for declining air quality are dust, fossil fuel industry, pollen, motor vehicle
exhausts and landscape and bush fires (Mortimer, 2018). The emissions from many industrial
facilities and high traffic volumes in the areas have caused adverse health risks. The traffic
pollution has to lead to an increase in respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer,
effects the neurological, urological and reproductive system. Air pollution has mostly
affected the areas of Western Sydney because air pollution is carried out by the sea breezes. It
is also being determined that poor air quality, extremely hot weather and excess mortality and
morbidity have increased in cities. The incidences of bronchial asthma and allergic
respiratory diseases can be seen more among people in urban areas in comparison to those
who live in rural areas (Flachs, Sørensen, Bønløkke&Brønnum-Hansen, 2013). The research
has depicted links between air pollution and health risks across various demographics. People
living in the coal mining areas of the Hunter Valley are also prone to health risks due to air
pollution. The resident experiences health and social impacts due to open cut coal mines. The
pollution has led to an increasing in the rate of chronic respiratory issues and cancer.
Australia is considered to be the largest exporter coal and constitutes eight highest emissions
of green gasses per capita in the world (Hudak, 2013). The author has clearly depicted the
impact of climatic change and air pollution in Australia. The author has covered the major
aspects but the examination is being carried out within a limited region.
2

Inclusion criteria Exclusion criteria
Children and older people are facing more
problems due to increase in air pollution.
In Australia, the leading causes for declining
air quality are dust, fossil fuel industry,
pollen, motor vehicle exhausts and landscape
and bush fires
People living in the coal mining areas of the
Hunter Valley are also prone to health risks
due to air pollution
The pollution has led to an increasing in the
rate of chronic respiratory issues and cancer.
The resident experiences health and social
impacts due to open cut coal mines.
Australia is considered to be the largest
exporter coal and constitutes eight highest
emissions of green gasses per capita in the
world
The author has depicted that thousands of people in Sydney are exposed to harmful levels of
air pollution. In NSW, air pollution has been increased as fine particles have increased the
annual standards at around 14 locations in the year 2018. The fine particles in air pollution
are damaging most of people's health. It has led to an increase in the number of very common
and serious diseases. The risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and an increase in the change
for underweight babies has also been increased. In Liverpool, the air pollution was 10.1
micrograms per cubic meter of air in 2018 (Clun, 2019). Campbelltown, Parramatta North,
Richmond, and Chullora have also recorded higher than 8μg/m3. Muswellbrook surrounded
by coal-fired power stations and coal mines also depicted 9.2μg/m3. The fine air particles
national standard on an average is not more than 8μg/m3. In Sydney, six sites have crossed
the national air quality standards which consist of Campbelltown, Prospect, Richmond,
Chulllora, Liverpool, and Parramatta. Around NSW, other sites also crossed limits which
3

consisted of Singleton, Camberwell, MaisonDieu, Bersfield and Mayfield in the lower hunter,
Carrington, Mt Thorley, WaggaWagga Tamworth, and North and Warkworth. Gabrielle
Upton, NSW Environment Minister reported that the quality of air had been improving for
the last 15 to 20 years with decreased nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10 particles,
ozone and emissions from industrial processes and motor vehicles (Zhang, Kwok, Liu &Niu,
2015). The report failed the objectivity test depicting that the impact of dust storms was not
taken into account. The fact that emission controls of NSW are exceeding the world standard
was totally ignored. The government stated that the use of coal power stations fired wood
heaters and an increasing number of diesel vehicles are the major factors. The Environment
Minister has stated emission regulation is being taken seriously. The author has depicted the
air pollution and air quality standard of Australia. However, solutions were not provided for
how the issue can be overcome (Sierra-Vargas &Teran, 2012).
Inclusion criteria Exclusion criteria
Thousands of people in Sydney are exposed
to harmful levels of air pollution.
In NSW, air pollution has been increased as
fine particles have increased the annual
standards at around 14 locations in the year
2018. The fine particles in air pollution are
damaging most of people's health.
In Liverpool, the air pollution was 10.1
micrograms per cubic meter of air in 2018.
Campbelltown, Parramatta North, Richmond,
and Chullora have also recorded higher than
8μg/m3. Muswellbrook surrounded by coal-
fired power stations and coal mines also
depicted 9.2μg/m3. The fine air particles
The risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and
an increase in the change for underweight
babies has also been increased.
4

national standard on an average is not more
than 8μg/m3.
NSW Environment Minister reported that the
quality of air had been improving for the last
15 to 20 years with decreased nitrogen
dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10 particles,
ozone and emissions from industrial
processes and motor vehicles
The report failed the objectivity test depicting
that the impact of dust storms was not taken
into account.
Health impacts can be seen in urban areas due to air pollution in Sydney. Air pollution has
led to an increase in the mortality and admissions in the hospital for childhood asthma, heart
diseases among 65 years old people and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Elderly and
children are considered to be the most vulnerable groups in Sydney (Dean & Green, 2018).
There is a significant association between the emergency visits of children suffering from
asthma and air pollution. The effects of O3, NO2, and PM are found to be highest in warm
months. Pregnant women are also exposed to air pollution which imposes a significant impact
on the birth weight. Dust and bushfires are also major concerns about the causes of air
pollution. Bush fires also consist of carcinogens, respiratory irritants, and PM such as
benzene and formaldehyde (Stern, 2013). Dust storms also cause cardiovascular and
respiratory diseases among people in Sydney. The prevalence of asthma in Australia is
considered to be one of the highest in the world. The author has appropriate collected data
and information for depicting the impact of air pollution on the health of people in Sydney.
Mortality and morbidity rate has also been increased which is a major concern. The
government is implementing policies in order to deal with the situation. However, the author
would have included health impacts after the implementation of the policies (Ezziane, 2013).
5

Inclusion criteria Exclusion criteria
Elderly and children are considered to be the
most vulnerable groups in Sydney.
Air pollution has led to an increase in the
mortality and admissions in the hospital for
childhood asthma, heart diseases among 65
years old people and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.s
There is a significant association between the
emergency visits of children suffering from
asthma and air pollution.
The effects of O3, NO2, and PM are found to
be highest in warm months.
Pregnant women are also exposed to air
pollution which imposes a significant impact
on the birth weight.
Dust and bushfires are also major concerns
about the causes of air pollution. Bush fires
also consist of carcinogens, respiratory
irritants, and PM such as benzene and
formaldehyde.
Figure: Sources and impact of air pollution
6

Figure: Impact of air pollution on Australia
Summary of results of studies found
Author Ye
ar
Research
setting
Study
design
Study
populat
ion
Exposu
re
Outcom
e
Bias/
confounding
Results
Anasta
sia
Morti
mer
201
8
The
research
has been
conducte
d on
climate
change
and air
pollution
vulnerabi
lity in
New
South
The
study
consiste
d of both
qualitati
ve and
quantitat
ive data.
The
impact
of air
pollutio
n is
being
depicte
d on the
people
living
in
Wester
n
The
exposur
e to the
air
polluta
nts has
prolong
ed and
direct
health
impacts
on the
The air
pollutio
n has
led to
the
emerge
nce of
health
issues
such as
bronchit
is,
asthma,
The results
depicted in
the research
study are
considered to
be fair and
appropriate.
The
decreas
e in air
quality
is
imposi
ng a
negativ
e
impact
on the
health
of the
7

Wales. Sydney
and
mining
areas.
people. infectio
us
diseases
, and
heart
attacks.
people
in
Austral
ia.
Rachel
Clun
201
9
The
research
has been
conducte
d on
examinin
g the
suburbs
of
Sydney
which are
a risk due
to the
worsenin
g air
quality.
The
study
consiste
d of both
qualitati
ve and
quantitat
ive data.
The
impact
of air
pollutio
n is
being
depicte
d on the
people
living
in the
suburbs
.
The
exposur
e to the
air
polluta
nts has
impose
d
signific
ant
health
impacts
on
people
in
Australi
a.
The air
pollutio
n has
led to
an
increase
in heart
diseases
,
diabetes
, and
strokes.
The results
depicted in
the research
study are
considered to
be fair and
appropriate.
The
decreas
e in air
quality
is
imposi
ng a
negativ
e
impact
on the
health
of the
people
in
Austral
ia.
Annika
Dean
and
Donna
Green
201
8
The
research
has been
conducte
d on air
pollution,
climate
change
and
human
health in
The
study
consiste
d of both
qualitati
ve and
quantitat
ive data.
The
impact
of air
pollutio
n is
being
depicte
d on the
people
living
in
The
exposur
e to the
air
polluta
nts has
impose
d
signific
ant
health
The air
pollutio
n has
led to
an
increase
in
mortalit
y,
morbidi
ty,
The results
depicted in
the research
study are
considered to
be fair and
appropriate.
The
decreas
e in air
quality
is
imposi
ng a
negativ
e
impact
on the
8

Sydney. urban
areas.
impacts
on
people
in
Australi
a.
childho
od
asthma,
heart
diseases
among
65 years
old
people
and
chronic
obstruct
ive
pulmon
ary
disease
health
of the
people
in
Austral
ia.
Biological plausibility
There is no such hazardous or widespread level of air pollution in Australia compared to
other countries. However, a significant impact of air pollution on the mortality and morbidity
has been noticed on the population of Australia in the year of 2005. It was estimated by the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that about 300 deaths are recognized to urban air
pollution in Australia every year. It is also estimated that Australia spends $11-24 billion
every year on mortality alone. The Australian air quality slandered has been reviewed and
found that the most several effects, in terms of overall health problem, associated with long
term experience to high-level PM.
9

Gaps in the literature and future research direction
The research has depicted the relationship between air quality and health impacts on the
people living in Sydney. The research has not depicted the impact of air pollution under
various climate change scenarios in the future. The research is being conducted on a
particular area but other regions of Australia are also being affected due to air pollution
(Romano & Conti, 2010). Air pollution has imposed an impact on cardiorespiratory
morbidity and mortality. Climate can make the issue worse by enhancing the PM and ozone
level. A detailed investigation should be made on the following variables. The change in the
temperature and activities carried out by humans should also be investigated in order to
understand the future.
10

References
Clun, R. (2019). The Sydney suburbs at risk from worsening air quality. Retrieved from
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/the-sydney-suburbs-at-risk-from-worsening-air-
quality-20190207-p50w7v.html
Dean, A., & Green, D. (2018).Climate change, air pollution and human health in Sydney,
Australia: A review of the literature. Retrieved from
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aac02a
Ezziane, Z. (2013). The impact of air pollution on low birth weight and infant
mortality. Reviews On Environmental Health, 28(2-3). doi: 10.1515/reveh-2013-0007
Flachs, E., Sørensen, J., Bønløkke, J., &Brønnum-Hansen, H. (2013). Population Dynamics
and Air Pollution: The Impact of Demographics on Health Impact Assessment of Air
Pollution. Journal Of Environmental And Public Health, 2013, 1-12. doi:
10.1155/2013/760259
Hudak, H. (2013). Air pollution (3rd ed.). New York: AV2 by Weigl.
Mortimer, A. (2018). Linking discussions of air pollution and climate change vulnerability in
NSW — Sydney Environment Institute. Retrieved from
http://sydney.edu.au/environment-institute/blog/linking-discussions-air-pollution-
climate-change-vulnerability-nsw/
Romano, G., & Conti, A. (2010). Air quality in the 21st century (4th ed.). New York: Nova
Science Publishers.
Sierra-Vargas, M., &Teran, L. (2012). Air pollution: Impact and
prevention. Respirology, 17(7), 1031-1038. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02213.x
Stern, A. (2013). Air pollution (4th ed.). Burlington: Elsevier Science.
Zhang, Y., Kwok, K., Liu, X., &Niu, J. (2015).Characteristics of air pollutant dispersion
around a high-rise building. Environmental Pollution, 204, 280-288. doi:
10.1016/j.envpol.2015.05.004
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