The Optical Vision Site

Air Pollution and Eye Health

According to the American Lung Association recent update six in 10 U.S. residents — more than 186 million people — live in areas with dangerous levels of air pollution. The State of the Air report lists the pollution levels per state. 

Los Angeles was ranked as the U.S. city with the worst ozone pollution, (smog) . Bakersfield, California, was worst for year-round particle pollution and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was worst for short-term particle pollution.

Air pollution can impact our health over short periods of time or accumulate in our systems to pose chronic health concerns. When people have a short-term exposure to air pollutants above certain levels, they may experience temporary health concerns, such as eye irritation, throat irritation, and difficulty breathing. Exposure to air pollution may also trigger attacks of pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma. Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause or aggravate chronic health concerns, such as cancer and damage to the body’s immune, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems.

Ozone and particle pollution are the most widespread air pollutants and among the most dangerous. To read more about how pollution effects your health, read the State of the Air: 2009 Health Risks Overview

Resources

• Outbreak of acute eye irritation associated with air pollution
• Air pollution in a chemical fertilizer complex in Nigeria: The impact on the health of the workers
• Earth Force

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