Ambient air pollution and its influence on human health and welfare: an overview

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 27; no. 20; pp. 24815 - 24830
• Main Authors: Almetwally, Alsaid Ahmed, Bin-Jumah, May, Allam, Ahmed A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-07-2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air pollution; Aquatic Pollution; Asthma; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Lung cancer; Lung diseases; Pollutants; Pollution sources; Respiratory diseases; Review Article; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Human health; Respiratory disease; Air pollution; Cardiovascular disease; Harmful effects; Major air pollutants; Asthma; COPD
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09042-2

Human health is closely related to his environment. The influence of exposure to air pollutants on human health and well-being has been an interesting subject and gained much volume of research over the last 50 years. In general, polluted air is considered one of the major factors leading to many diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease and lung cancer for the people. Besides, air pollution adversely affects the animals and deteriorates the plant environment. The overarching objective of this review is to explore the previous researches regarding the causes and sources of air pollution, how to control it and its detrimental effects on human health. The definition of air pollution and its sources were introduced extensively. Major air pollutants and their noxious effects were detailed. Detrimental impacts of air pollution on human health and well-being were also presented.