Regardless of the source, air pollution has a clear and devastating impact on human health. Even at very low concentrations, particle pollution has been shown to have adverse health effects across many of the body’s major organ systems, resulting in illness and premature death. These include:
Respiratory illness
Respiratory irritation (coughing, wheezing), airway inflammation
Decreased lung function and lung growth
Lower respiratory infection (pneumonia)
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Lung cancer
Cardiovascular illness
Stroke
Heart disease
Hypertension
Other health risks
Low birth weight
Cataract
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Laryngeal cancer
Decreased cognitive ability
Get the Data
Communicating the available data on how air pollution affects human health near you is a powerful advocacy tool. Use these data sources to find out how air quality effects health near you.