Pollution poses a greater health threat than war, terrorism, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, drugs and alcohol combined. This shocking fact is discussed in a series of recently published articles. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Experts, led by the University of Edinburgh and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, focused on global warming, air pollution, and wildfire smoke, as well as lesser known pollutants such as soil, noise, light and toxic chemicals.
Attacked by pollutants
“Each year, approximately 20 million people worldwide die from cardiovascular disease, and the impact of pollutants is becoming increasingly greater,” said Jason Kovacic, president and CEO of the Victor Chang Heart Institute.
“Pollutants reach every corner of the planet and affect us all. We are witnessing unprecedented wildfires, rising temperatures, unacceptable road noise and light pollution in our cities, and exposure to untested toxic chemicals in our homes.”
“Our bodies are exposed to pollutants from every angle, which are having a negative impact on our heart health. Evidence shows that the number of premature deaths caused by these hugely diverse forms of pollution is much higher than currently realised.”
Health hazards caused by pollution
When pollutants such as smoke and toxins are inhaled deep into the respiratory tract, they cause oxidative stress and damage organs, including the heart.
“Air pollution is a harmful mixture of solid particles and gases that endangers people’s health worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that 99 percent of the world’s population lives in places that do not meet air quality standards,” the study authors wrote.
Noise and light pollution affect sleep patterns, promote inflammation, increase blood pressure and weight gain, while extreme heat can cause dehydration, cardiovascular strain and acute kidney failure.
Pollution and Heart Disease
“Although we understand many of these biological mechanisms, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the link between pollutants and heart disease,” Kovacic said.
“There are hundreds of thousands of chemicals that have not even been tested for safety or toxicity, let alone their effects on our health. We also need to discover whether there are other risk factors that make people more susceptible, such as pre-existing conditions, lifestyle habits or where they live.”
Exposure to pollution
Scientists say that in the future, people should be routinely tested for exposure to more pollutants, just as children in the United States are currently tested for lead exposure.
Unfortunately, while the environmental crisis is imminent and its health impacts are increasingly being recognized, the impetus for change appears sporadic.
“Urgent action is needed as climate change advances and pollution permeates the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the places we live,” the researchers said.
Key statistics from the survey
- Outdoor and indoor air pollution is responsible for more than 7 million premature deaths each year, more than 50% of which are due to cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke.
- One in five deaths from cardiovascular disease is attributable to air pollution.
- During heatwaves, the risk of death from heat-related cardiovascular disease can increase by more than 10%.
- In the United States, exposure to wildfire smoke has increased by 77% since 2002.
- Globally, wildfire smoke is estimated to cause between 339,000 and 675,000 premature deaths per year.
- Since 1950, over 300,000 new synthetic chemicals have been developed, many of which have unknown safety profiles.
- In Europe, 113 million people are affected by long-term traffic noise levels of at least 55 dB(A).
Urgent action needed
The researchers call for urgent action, including implementing heart-healthy urban design measures such as increasing tree cover and promoting active travel, and for subsidies to the fossil fuel industry to be ended in favour of investment in renewable and cleaner energy.
Experts also point to the need to launch public health campaigns on the dangers of air pollution and strengthen medical education to address pollution-related health risks.
Combating the health hazards of pollution
To combat the health threats posed by pollution, the study advocates for increased monitoring of pollutants, understanding their impact on cardiovascular disease and identifying vulnerable communities.
By recognising and addressing these risks, it is hoped that society can reduce the serious health effects of global pollution.
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