Recent studies have highlighted the significant health risks associated with air pollution. A meta-analysis by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health linked exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) with an increased risk of developing dementia.
The research, which utilized a new analysis tool to review over 2,000 studies, found a consistent association between PM2.5 exposure and cognitive decline, even at levels below current EPA standards. This study emphasizes the importance of revising air quality regulations to better protect public health.
Another study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found chronic exposure to PM2.5 increases seniors’ risk of hospitalization for various cardiovascular conditions. It suggests that there is no safe threshold for PM2.5 exposure concerning cardiovascular health and highlights the need for stronger air quality improvement efforts to alleviate the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
Additionally, research from UC San Francisco and the University of Washington indicated that air pollution contributed to nearly 6 million premature births and almost 3 million underweight babies globally in 2019. This study, which also considered the effects of indoor pollution primarily from cookstoves, points to air pollution as a major cause of preterm births and low birthweight, both of which are significant factors in neonatal mortality and long-term illness.
These findings underscore the urgent need for global efforts to mitigate air pollution’s impact on health, from cognitive disorders to cardiovascular diseases and adverse birth outcomes.