University Assignment: Health Impacts of Air Pollutants on Humans

This report addresses the health effects of air pollutants, focusing on the research question: 'What are the hazardous impacts of air pollutants on health?' It details the search strategy, including keywords like 'pollution' and 'particulate matter', and inclusion/exclusion criteria for relevant studies. The report summarizes findings from various studies, examining the impact of PM2.5 and other pollutants on human health, particularly in regions like China and India. It also explores biological plausibility, discussing how pollutants affect the respiratory system and other bodily functions, while highlighting gaps in existing literature, such as the need for more current data and practical solutions. The report concludes by suggesting future research directions to mitigate the adverse health impacts of air pollution, emphasizing the importance of updated practices and technological advancements.

Health Effects of Air Pollutants 1
Environmental Epidemiology
[Author name(s), first M. surname, omit titles and qualifications]
[Institutional affiliation(s)]
Author Note
[Include any grant/funding information and a complete correspondence address.]

Health effects OF air pollutants 2
Research Question
All over the globe the ambient air quality (AQI) has considerably worsened in the last
few decades alone. Air pollution is one of the major problems the world is facing in this era
of industrialization and urbanization. Of this, particulate matter pollution poses serious
challenges for both human health and environment. In fact, air pollution caused by particulate
matter is one of the world’s largest health and environmental hazards. This paper aims to look
at the health impacts of these pollutants and of air pollution in general by addressing the
following research question- ‘What are the hazardous impacts of air pollutants on health?”
The question stated above can be illustrated with the help of the PICO elements as
follows:
Problem- hazardous health effects
Intervention- air pollutants
Comparison- better air quality
Outcome- illustrate the issues associated with negative impact of air pollutants on
health, thereby making the audience aware of the current situation of air quality
Search Strategy
Search Strategy refers to a structured manner of searching databases for saving time
during one’s research work. Following a search strategy ensures that our researched literature
is as refined as possible such that same or similar results can be reproduced if the steps are
followed again in the future. Following a systematic literature searching strategy is
considered crucial to the review process. It involves producing a transparent report of the
study wherein the key concepts related to the topic are clearly defined, stakeholders (if any)
are identified followed by selecting relevant databases and resources and analyzing them.

Health effects OF air pollutants 3
Summary of Search Methodology
Before the research question is addressed and further discussed the paper seeks to highlight
the key-words crucial to this essay. It is quite important to analyze the key concepts before
formulating any search plans. Several studies have been cited in this portion to define and
clarify terms and concepts critical to the topic.
The framing up of the literature was done through clearly identifying the keyword of the
research. Framing a list of key words of the research helped in gaining a clear picture of the
sections that was to be explored and investigated for presenting the research in a justified
manner. The keywords list included pollution, air pollution, particulate matter, air pollutants
effects on human body, records of health issue due to air pollution, WHO activities in
concern of air pollution control, etc.
To begin with, it is necessary to define the term pollution, which in itself is a rather wide
concept. Pollution can be defined as an overwhelming addition of certain substances to the
physical environment (water, air and lands), that make it unsuitable for sustaining life (Butt,
et al., 2017). Air pollution, more specifically, can be defined as the excessive presence of
one or more toxins or toxic substances in the atmosphere for such duration that it proves
harmful, or tends to be injurious, to human health or welfare, animal or plant life (Mannucci
& Franchini, 2017). Particulate matter, or PM, is a common and major air pollutant,
consisting of a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. It may have both
physical and chemical characteristics and its concentration may vary from one place to
another. According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) Report, commonly used
indicators suggest that PM pose a health hazard when there is a concentration of particles
with a diameter of less than 10 micron (PM10) and of particles with a diameter of less than
2.5 micron (PM2.5). PM2.5 is commonly known as fine PM and also consists of ultra-fine
particles having a diameter of less than 0.1 micron (World Health Organization, 2016). This

Health effects OF air pollutants 4
particulate matter, especially of diameter between 0.1 micron and 1 can remain in the
atmosphere for days or weeks, either suspended or otherwise, and can result in long-distance
trans-boundary spread of air pollution.
These phrases and words helped in identifying the factors which has been the reason for an
increasing issue of air pollution and its future spread. As an environmental study research,
pollution and its effect on human body is the main concern which has been executed on a
broad scale. This provided with huge number of studies to be explored on the search sites like
Google Search, Goggle Scholar, Wiley’s, Research Gate, Science Direct, Academia and
many more. It could be stated that the literature was framed through brainstorming some
keywords, followed by an expansion of those keywords, which was made broader through
adding on some Booleans to it, and then refining those information’s for reaching to specific
results.
Inclusion/Exclusion strategy and Strengths and Limitations
These tools provided with a wide range of studies on air pollution, environmental hazards
impacting human body, health issues from environmental degradation, future of environment
degradation and its impact, etc. On framing up the literature, there were some sections of the
subject which was excluded from the search strategy. The reason for exclusion was to avoid
mis-match of the various factors which leads to air pollution. The exclusion list included
impact of pollution on human body as “pollution” is a wide concept, while the concerned
study is confined only to air pollution. Thus, specifically for the research, “pollution” was not
the key word but “air pollution” was. The pollutants of air pollution was considered and not
the pollutants of the pollution. To be specific and accurate, those pollutants were not
considered which do not have a side effect on human health. The studies which were more
than 5 years old were also not considered in the research framework, as the scenario of each
segment changes within the time period of five years. There were few specific factors which

Health effects OF air pollutants 5
were included in the search strategy such as role of world health organization in controlling
health issues integrated by air pollutants, measures to control air pollutants, future of human
health: impact of air pollution, and other studies which focused on human health and air
pollution as an inter-connected factor.
Summary of Results of Studies
Author
& Year
Research
setting
Study
Design
Study
Population
Exposure Outcome Bias/
Confounding
& Results
E W
Butt et
al 2017
Environ.
Res.
Lett,
2017
The article
shows that
during the
period
1960-
2009,
PM2.5
concentrati
ons
increased
by 38%,
particularl
y, with
more air-
pollution
related
deaths in
China and
India.
Global
attributabl
e deaths
increased
by 89% to
124%
during the
same time
period,
majority of
which
were in
China and
India.
The
article
uses the
chemistr
y-
climate
model to
assert
that
during
the same
period
the
global
populati
on
weighte
d PM2.5
increase
d,
particula
rly in
China
and
India a
result of
economi
c
expansio
n and
growth
in
emission
s, while
it
showed
a
As the
article is a
country-
based
research,
hence,
prime focus
were India
and China.
The study
reveals
that shows
that during
the period
1960-
2009,
PM2.5
concentrati
ons
increased
by 38%,
led by
increases
in China
and India.
The study
aims to
draw a
directly
proportional
relation
between
population
and the
spatial
distribution
of PM2.5.
The study
further
highlights
that
although
Europe and
USA
experienced
extensive
economic
growth,
industrialisa
tion and
urbanisation
between
1960 and
2009,
timely
government
policies and
air quality
regulations
in the
regions
have
The results of
their study
suggested that
if activities
continue at the
same rate in
China and
India would
create
challenges for
the policy
makers as they
attempt to
reduce air
pollution-
related deaths
in the near
future.

Health effects OF air pollutants 6
downwa
rd trend
for the
Europea
n Union
(EU)
and
USA.
effectively
reduced
PM2.5
emissions.
Ozlem
Kar
Kurt,
Jingjing
Zhang,
and Ken
t E.
Pinkerto
n, 2017
The
artickle
focuses on
to examine
the
literature
that is
present
discussing
about the
health
impacts
specificall
y
associated
with lung
cancer,
pulmonary
diseases
and
respiratory
infection
The
study
design is
framed
as
qualitati
ve
research
which
deals
with
positivis
m
approac
h.
In order to
analyse the
conclusion
of this
paper, 53
research
literatures
have been
reviewed
that would
focus on the
prevailing
scenarios of
hazardous
health
impact due
to polluted
air.
The major
exposure
that has
been
framed
from this
paper deals
with the
impact of
air
pollution
on the
enhanceme
nt of
pulmonary
diseases in
the society.
The issue is
created not
only among
the adults,
but also
among the
children and
elderly that
belong to
low socio-
economic
status
around the
world.
Based on the
research
results, it has
been see that
air quality has
been
degrading
since long,
and that has
acted as an
influencer on
the diseases
associated
with
respiratory
infection. It is
quite
important to
maintain
continuous
vigilance on
the quality of
air to slow
down its
impacts.
Pier
Mannuc
cio
Mannuc
ci and
Massim
o
Franchi
ni, 2017
This study
focusses
on the
impacts of
air
pollution
on the
health of
humans,
that has
been
documente
d through
a rigorous
epidemiolo
gic study
that were
The
study
has used
an
explorati
ve and
interpret
ive
approac
h to
analyse
the
objectiv
es of the
paper.
The
research
paper had
undertaken
reviews of
various
epidemiolog
ical surveys
and case
studies that
had been
conducted
worldwide
in order to
analyse the
consequenc
es of the
It found
that
highest
levels of
urban air
pollution
were
experience
d in low-
and
middle-
income
countries
with
annual
mean
levels.
It had been
found that
major air
pollutants
had been
the resultant
action of
various
human
activities
that lead to
poor quality
of air.
The paper had
framed
extensive
research
results that
focusses on
how air
pollution
poses serious
threats to the
health of
humans,
mainly among
those who stay
at low level
income areas
as they do not

Health effects OF air pollutants 7
conducted
worldwide
extreme
health
impacts
have the
awareness and
the proper
facilities to
breathe better
air.
Biological Plausibility
Substances causing air pollution not only harm the physical environment but threaten the
sustenance of biological beings as well, including humans. These pollutants are principally
particulate matter that is a product of combustion of fossil fuels for heating, power
generation, motor vehicle traffic, agricultural and industrial activities (Rai, 2016). Pollutants
from these sources may have spatially far-reaching adverse impacts on human health and
environment. Particulate air pollution at the mildest cause irritation to the eyes, nose, i.e.
airways to the lungs and may increase the symptoms of those suffering from breathing
problems and lung diseases (Ritchie and Roser, 2017). Air-borne particles like soot can
worsen bronchitis and lead to heart attacks. Lead in small amounts affects children’s learning
abilities (IQ) and in higher concentrations my cause irreversible damage to their brain and
kidneys (Kurt, Zhang & Pinkerton, 2016). Also, Mercury affects the human central nervous
system.
Several epidemiological studies suggest that particulate air pollution is correlated with
adverse biological outcomes such as low birth rate, intrauterine growth retardation and pre-
term delivery. However, though these studies effectively take into account the PM exposures
the biological role of factors already present in the host has been sparsely studies. For
instance, role played by nutritional deficiency needs to be addressed more.
Gaps in Literature and Future Directions
As for the limitations in the cited literature, a major setback was the lack of availability of
current data. In the study conducted by Butt et.al (2017) the researchers admit to the
uncertainty of accuracy of the chemistry-climate model used to study and analyses air

Health effects OF air pollutants 8
pollution data. There remains a significant gap between theoretical analysis of the problems
and the practical application of solutions to mitigate those problems. Such problems mainly
arise due to economic and demographic constraints, technological redundancy and social
barriers. The current framework and adopted practices need to be evaluated and updated in
tandem, as much as possible, with the progress in theoretical knowledge of the problem at
hand.

Health effects OF air pollutants 9
References
Butt E.W., Turnock S.T., Rigby R., Reddington C.L., Yoshioka M., Johnson J.S.,…&
Spracklen D.V. (2017). Global and regional trends in particulate air pollution and
attributable health burden over the past 50 years. Environmental Research Letters.
IOP Publishing Limited, 12(10).
Kurt, O. K., Zhang, J., & Pinkerton, K. E. (2016). Pulmonary health effects of air
pollution. Current opinion in pulmonary medicine, 22(2), 138.
Mannucci, P. M., & Franchini, M. (2017). Health effects of ambient air pollution in
developing countries. International journal of environmental research and public
health, 14(9), 1048.
Rai, P. K. (2016). Impacts of particulate matter pollution on plants: Implications for
environmental biomonitoring. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 129, pp.120-
136.
Ritchie, H. and Roser M. (2017). Air Pollution. Retrieved from
https://ourworldindata.org/air-pollution
World Health Organization (2016). Air pollution levels rising in many of the world’s poorest
cities. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/12-05-2016-air-
pollution-levels-rising-in-many-of-the-world-s-poorest-cities