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Smog Attacks: How Air Quality Fuels Respiratory Illness
1 Dec
Summary
- Air pollution causes lung cancer, asthma, COPD, stroke, and heart disease.
- Seven million annual deaths linked to fine particle pollution globally.
- Pollution irritates airways, worsening lung function and asthma symptoms.
Air pollution and smog present a critical public health threat, contributing to severe illnesses such as lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, and heart disease. Breathing polluted air inflames airways, triggering symptoms like shortness of breath and chest discomfort.
The World Health Organization reports approximately seven million annual deaths worldwide due to fine particle pollution. While everyone is affected by degraded air quality, individuals with chronic respiratory issues like asthma and COPD are particularly vulnerable. High pollution levels can severely worsen their lung function and lead to hospitalizations.
Although air pollutants do not directly cause asthma, they significantly aggravate symptoms in those who have it. Polluted air causes inflammation and narrowing of asthmatics' sensitive airways, resulting in coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties. Eye, throat, and lung irritation are common, with smog being a significant trigger for asthma attacks.
