🌫️ Lecture 7: Air Pollution and Human Health

What is the estimated number of deaths caused by air pollution each year? What can chronic exposure lead to?

Approximately 7 million premature deaths globally.

• Lung disease

• Cardiovascular disease

• Mental health effects

• Pregnancy complications

What is the purpose of the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI)?

To inform the public of pollution levels using indicators like NO₂, SO₂, O₃, PM2.5, and PM10.

Name major sources of outdoor air pollution.

• Industry, transport

• humans

• natural sources like volcanoes

• wildfires.

List sources of indoor air pollution + why is it important?

• Cooking

• heating

• smoking

• mould

• dust

• building materials.

Strongly linked to respiratory diseases, particularly in children.

Define Air Pollution

Air Pollution: Presence of harmful substances in air.

Define Air Quality

Air Quality: Measure of cleanliness/safety of the air.

What effect do PM2.5 & PM10 have?

• PM2.5: Particles ≤2.5μm → penetrate deep into lungs → inflammation, oxidative stress.

• PM10: Less harmful but still causes irritation.

The smaller the particle diameter, the lower down the lung it has the potential to reach

What is Composition of PM

• Dust, pollen, endotoxins, metals.

• Harm varies by source, size, chemical structure.

What are some approaches to mitigate

• WHO air quality guidelines.

• NICE recommendations (e.g., 20mph zones to reduce emissions).

• Behavioural/cultural changes are key (e.g. EVs ≠ total solution).