FAQ

How does pollution affect human health?

Stinging eyes, breathlessness, a cough that won’t budge: air pollution – especially when it’s cause by fine particles – is irritating, but can also be the cause of serious diseases. It even puts lives in danger: in France, air pollution cuts life expectancy by two years. And in New Delhi, this figure leaps to 10 years. In terms of deaths on a global scale, air pollution is just as dangerous as smoking, and even more serious than alcohol and unclean water (there are three times as many air pollution-related deaths) and HIV (six times more). Who is most at risk? People suffering from respiratory and cardiac disorders, diabetes, infants, seniors and pregnant women.

A factor in serious diseases

The effects of air pollution on health are well understood. Scientific studies have shown that they compromise the human immune system. As a result, the body undergoes oxidative stress* and a systemic inflammatory response** is created, which may increase the risk of other diseases. These include:

Respiratory conditions such as pharyngitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia.
Lung cancer: 17% of deaths can be attributed to air pollution.
Cardio-vascular diseases: air pollution is responsible for a lack of sufficient oxygen being provided to the heart muscles, which leads to diseases such as arrhythmia, arterial hypertension, cardiac arrest and thrombosis.
Neurodegenerative diseases: air pollution also has a disastrous effect on brain health. The risk of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, is accentuated by exposure to fine particles generated by magnetic friction.
Reproduction and development issues in children such as infertility, miscarriage, stunted foetal growth and low birthweight babies, learning difficulties, and so on.

Every year, atmospheric pollution and fine particles cause 40,000 premature deaths in France and 238,000 deaths in Europe. Harvard researchers believe that this figure should be re-evaluated, and would attribute nearly 100,000 premature deaths in France per year to outdoor air pollution caused by fossil fuels.

Indirect effects of pollution on human health

Atmospheric pollution is harmful to the earth’s ecosystems, both on land and in the sea. In 2020, harmful levels of nitrogen deposits were observed in 75% of the total surface area of EU ecosystems. Fine particles end up in runoff waters, then flow into our rivers and oceans. They also attach themselves to plants and are then swallowed by animals. Air pollution disrupts ecosystems, destabilises the food chain and impacts our daily diet, and therefore our health. That’s why it is so important to find measures to reduce it. It’s a matter of saving human lives.

* Oxidative stress occurs when a cell can no longer manage the excessive presence of toxic molecules, mainly from cellular respiration and free radicals. They can damage cells and DNA.

** The systemic inflammatory response syndrome is a set of symptoms occurring in response to an attack on the body during infectious shock, severe trauma, extensive burns, pancreatitis, and so on. It is the most common cause of respiratory distress syndrome in adults.

Discover more questions

See the FAQ

Where do fine particles come from?

Every year in France, air pollution and fine particles cause 40,000 premature deaths. If we’re going to reduce that impact, we need to understand more about them. But behind the generic term “fine particles” lurks a variety of meanings. Fine particles can take different sizes and shapes, can be made up of different things, and can come from different sources. It’s time to take a closer look.

How can you protect yourself from fine particles?

When they are inhaled, microscopic fine particles are toxic in how they can affect the lungs, heart, and cells. They can cause inflammation and exacerbate the risks of respiratory, pulmonary, cardiovascular diseases and even various types of cancer. To combat these emissions and the diseases they cause, there is a need for far-reaching public policies. Some measures are easy to implement, such as limiting the use of cars, capturing brake particles, avoiding congested areas, finding out about air quality indicators and taking care to protect your respiratory and pulmonary health.

What are fine particles?

The term “fine particle” refers to an aggregate of polluting chemical compounds created during combustion, friction or chemical reactions. Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and desert dust: fine particles can occur naturally. But most fine particles are generated by human activity. How? Mainly from road traffic (exhaust gases and abrasion caused by brakes on tyres and the road), home heating, and industrial and agricultural emissions.