Every year scientists are finding more and more evidence to support the detrimental effects of air pollution on human health, highlighting the broader impact of ecology on our well-being. Air pollution claims 7 million lives each year, so it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your family. We tell you how air pollution affects human health, how to monitor the air quality in your neighborhood, and how to protect your health from the effects of air pollution.
Here are the major factors that are destroying our health:
- Air pollution. Industrial emissions, automobile exhaust, chemical waste – all of these make you feel worse and increase your risk of disease.
- Drinking water quality. Insufficiently treated or contaminated water can cause intoxication and the development of gastrointestinal diseases.
- Chemical food. Food additives, colorings, genetically modified foods, trans-fats and other poisons poison our bodies on a daily basis.
- Noise and electromagnetic radiation. Constant noise can cause stress and high blood pressure, and radiation from household appliances and mobile devices badly affects all the cells of the human body.
- Natural factors. Not everything is the fault of human civilization. Heat, cold, wind, high humidity, ultraviolet radiation from the sun also belong to environmental factors. They are natural, but in some cases unsafe.

The impact of ecology on human health
Elderly people, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases are most at risk. In addition, urban dwellers are at risk. It is proved that in large cities with busy highways and developed industries the risk of harmful effects of air pollution on human health is higher than in rural areas.
- Reduced life expectancy
The World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution is responsible for 7 million premature deaths worldwide. While smoking, alcohol and drugs used to be the main causes of reduced life expectancy, air pollution is now the most harmful.
- Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes
Constant inhalation of air contaminated with fine PM2.5 particles leads to worsening of diseases that cause heart attacks, strokes, angina attacks. In addition, inhalation of PM2.5 particles causes insulin resistance, diabetes and other diseases affecting the endocrine system.
- Acute respiratory diseases
Air pollution irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat, thereby reducing local immunity. The weakened immune system is unable to fight off viruses and bacteria, and as a result, people are more likely to develop respiratory diseases.
In areas with increased air pollution, respiratory diseases are not only more frequent, but also more severe and fatal. This is confirmed by a number of studies.
- Chronic respiratory diseases
Studies confirm that air pollution causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis.

- Mental disorders
A number of studies have shown a correlation between the level of air pollution and the likelihood of developing depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and personality disorders. The mechanism of the effects of air pollution on the psyche is not fully understood, but the existence of this pattern has been confirmed by numerous studies.
- Cancer
Air pollution is a major contributor to cancer, especially lung cancer. Harmful substances such as benzapyrene, carbon monoxide, and fine particles enter the body through breathing and can damage cells, causing them to mutate and cause tumors to grow. Even low levels of pollution increase the risk of not only lung cancer, but also other types of cancer. People living in areas with high levels of pollution, especially children and the elderly, are at greater risk. Thus, reducing air pollution is important for preventing cancer and staying healthy.
How can I protect my health from the impact of ecology and air pollution?
Here are some basic ways to effectively protect yourself from air pollution:
- Stay indoors. Of course, you won’t stay indoors forever – but after a major one-step deterioration in air quality, such as a chemical release or natural disaster, it’s wise to minimize your time outdoors as much as possible.
- Walk or exercise outside in the morning or evening. The highest level of air pollution is reached during daytime hours, especially in hot weather – we recommend staying indoors during this time or at least choosing green areas for walking.
- Move around the city in a “roundabout way”, avoiding downtown areas and busy roads if possible.
- Try to stop smoking. Tobacco affects your lung health – and the more exhausted your respiratory organs are, the more sensitive they are to airborne contaminants.

- Install an air conditioner at home that filters the air coming in from outside. In addition to air conditioning, you can use a humidifier to “nail” suspended molecules to the ground – or even just wetting the curtains to help them better trap contaminants.
Conclusion
Air pollution is a major contributor to cancer, especially lung cancer. Harmful substances such as benzapyrene, carbon monoxide, and fine particles enter the body through breathing and can damage cells, causing them to mutate and cause tumors to grow. Even low levels of pollution increase the risk of not only lung cancer, but also other types of cancer. People living in areas with high levels of pollution, especially children and the elderly, are at greater risk. Thus, reducing air pollution is important for preventing cancer and staying healthy.