Impact of Traffic-Related Air Pollution on Lung Health: An Overview

Introduction:

Air pollution is a major global issue affecting people in high, middle, and low-income nations. In the past, air pollution was thought to be related to industrial emissions, burning coal in homes, and heating. But the times have changed now. New research shows that more premature deaths are connected to outdoor air pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) tool is used to know how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is going to become. Traffic emissions are the major factors contributing to the deterioration of outdoor air quality in urban areas. Particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide are the pollutants that are released into the air by burning fossil fuels in vehicles. In addition to the adverse effects of these pollutants on the environment, these also pose serious health risks to people, particularly lung health. This article briefly describes the impact of traffic-related air pollution on lung health.

What Is Traffic-Related Air Pollution?

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is the outdoor air pollution that comes from motorized vehicles including passenger cars, buses, coaches, motorbikes, and heavy and light-duty trucks. A wide range of air pollutants are released by these vehicles, such as particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5  μm (PM2.5), PM with a diameter of 10  μm (PM10), and PM with a diameter less than 0.1  μm known as ultrafine particles, black carbon (BC), elemental carbon, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons(HC), nitrogen oxide. When humans breathe in contaminated air, these pollutants enter the respiratory system.

What is the Air quality index?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a technique for communicating how dirty the air is now or how polluted it is expected to grow. An AQI result of 0-50 is thought to be good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-150 is bad for sensitive populations, 151-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is extremely unhealthy, and 301-500 is dangerous. Maintaining an AQI of 0-50 is critical for health. High traffic pollution dramatically raises AQI readings, reducing air quality and health effects.

What Is the Impact of Traffic-Related Air Pollution on Lung Health?

Emission of pollutants from traffic have a devastating effect on the lungs, which include;

1. Respiratory Symptoms: Exposure to pollutants emitted by vehicles can irritate and harm the lungs over time and may lead to symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, nose and throat irritation, painful breathing, shortness of breath while doing outdoor activities, and worsening of pre-existing lung symptoms.

2. Development of Respiratory Conditions: Prolonged exposure to TRAP increased the risk of respiratory diseases such as

• Asthma: This is a respiratory condition in which the airways narrow and swell and produce more mucus. This may make breathing difficult and lead to coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing when a person breathes out. The pollutants, such as PM 2.5 and PM0.1, travel deep into the lungs. Pollutants that come into touch with the respiratory system first produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activates the inflammatory cascade and causes damage to the lung tissue, making it difficult for asthma patients to breathe freely.

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD): This is a progressive inflammatory illness affecting the lung parenchyma, pulmonary arteries, and airways. TRAP triggers lung inflammation, which can happen repeatedly with long-term exposure. Researchers believe that this repeated inflammation is the main cause of the development and worsening of COPD.

• Lung Infection: Pollutants found in TRAP can irritate and inflame the lining of airways. Also, the natural defense of the lungs is weakened, making them more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. These infections often lead to acute bronchitis (inflammation of lung airways) and pneumonia (infection of the lung that causes inflammation in lung tissue).

• Lung Cancer: Breathing in polluted air containing nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and fine PM increases the risk of lung cancer. Nitrogen oxide in the air comes from traffic exhaust. When sunlight interacts with nitrogen dioxide, it releases other harmful pollutants into the air, such as nitrates, sulfates, and organic aerosols. These harmful pollutants reach deep into the lungs. Research on animals showed that sulfur dioxide can damage DNA in the lungs and other organs. This DNA damage leads to mutation, which has the potential to develop into cancer.

3. Exacerbation of Pre-existing Lung Diseases: TRAP can exacerbate pre-existing lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. Pollutants from vehicles can trigger asthma attacks and worsen the symptoms.

4. Reduced Lung Function: Breathing becomes difficult due to narrowing airways and irritation and inflammation caused by TRAP exposure. Even in healthy individuals, TRAP can damage the lung tissue and reduce lung function, making breathing harder and engaging in physical activities.

What Is the Impact of Traffic-Related Air Pollution Impact on Vulnerable Populations?

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with a low ejection fraction (EF) are more likely to experience respiratory failure as a result of poor air quality. Pulmonary fibrosis, which is characterized by lung scarring and decreased lung function, can occur in people recovering from COVID-19. Exposure to TRAP worsens respiratory symptoms and impairs lung recovery, providing considerable long-term respiratory health risks.

What Are the Strategies for Controlling Traffic-Related Air Pollution?

One of the biggest risks to health from the environment is TRAP. Lowering air pollution levels can reduce the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Controlling TRAP is a complex task that may require various approaches. The following are some of the effective measures that can be taken;

• Encouraging people to use public transport may result in fewer cars on the road, reducing pollution and traffic jams.

• Use of urban traffic control systems (UTCS) to manage traffic lights in the city. Installing these devices instantly raises the average traffic speed and decreases the quantity of acceleration-braking cycles, lowering fuel consumption and atmospheric pollutants.

• Promoting walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation will reduce dependence on motor vehicles, leading to lower emissions. Implementing policies encouraging active computing and constructing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure such as bike lanes and sidewalks can help with this.

• Identify High-Polluting Vehicles: Old and poorly maintained vehicles contribute to large amounts of air pollutants. Such vehicles need to undergo periodic emission testing, which examines their emissions. A vehicle is considered to be polluting excessively if its emissions exceed legal limits. Such vehicles must be reappeared to reduce their emissions.

• Establishing Low-Emission Zones in Cities: It means banning or restricting the entry of high-polluting vehicles, such as older vehicles, within the designated zones. This will help enhance the quality of the air in the area. Implementing low-emission zones in cities will not only reduce harmful emissions but also encourage the adoption of healthier and more sustainable urban environments.

Conclusion:

Air pollution from traffic is a serious threat to lung health. It can cause respiratory symptoms, develop lung diseases, aggravate pre-existing lung diseases, and reduce lung function. Some effective strategies need to be implemented to control traffic-related air pollution, such as promoting public transport and urban traffic control systems, promoting active transportation like cycling and walking, and identifying high-polluting vehicles. Such strategies can help create healthier and more livable cities for present and future generations.