European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

POLLUTED AIR AS A PREDICTOR OF HEALTH ISSUES IN PEOPLE

Ema Pindžo* , Amela Salihovi? and Eldina Smje?anin

ABSTRACT

Definition of air pollution encompasses the presence of one or more substances in the air in concentrations that might be harmful to the life and health of people. Economic development and rapid population growth have led to exploitation of huge amounts of resources to maintain different activities causing different types of pollution. According to the World Health Organization, the six main air pollutants are particulate matter, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and lead. Adverse effects of air pollution on pulmonary and cardiovascular systems have been identified in a number of considerable epidemiological and observational studies. Long-term exposure to polluted air can cause increase in morbidity and mortality, mostly due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Air pollution in the environment is considered to be the main risk factor in the occurrence and development of certain diseases, such as asthma, lung cancer, ventricular hypertrophy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, psychological complications and autism. Air pollution leads to consequences in vulnerable population, such as children, older people as well as people with low socioeconomic status across the world.

Keywords: Air pollution, human health, respiratory tract diseases, cardiovascular diseases, environment.