Introduction:
The world is getting more urbanized. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 55 percent of the world's population resides in cities, and by 2050, that number is expected to rise to 68 percent. Rapid urbanization leads to many challenges, and its effect on lung health is one of the most serious issues. This article mainly focuses on the effect of urbanization on lung health.
What Is Urbanization?
Urbanization is defined as the flow of people from rural to urban areas. This results in an increase in the percentage of people living in cities and towns. The main idea of migrating people from rural to urban areas is that the cities provide better job opportunities, education, and health care facilities than villages. Urbanization can offer various benefits, but according to the WHO, three primary health risks are associated with urban areas. These include non-communicable diseases (such as lung and heart diseases), infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis and influenza), injuries, and violence.
How Does Urbanization Affect Lung Health?
Urbanization can affect lung health through several factors. The primary factors that have an impact on lung health include;
Air Pollution in Cities: One of the main factors of long-term respiratory diseases. This air pollution is the smoke from traffic and industries, and it is even burning solid fuel for domestic cooking. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and volatile organic compounds are the main pollutants causing air pollution. The pollutants enter the respiratory system when people breathe in contaminated air.
PM are the tiny fragments of solids or liquids in the air, such as dust, dirt, and smoke. The large particles of particulate matter (P10) are typically trapped in the upper respiratory tract, and the fine particles of particulate matter (PM2.5) reach up to the air sacs of the lungs. These particles can irritate, inflame, and damage the respiratory system. Particulate matter and gaseous pollutants cause lung inflammation by releasing inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines. Prolonged inflammation can result in long-term respiratory conditions.
Nitrogen dioxide is a brown toxic gas. Busy roads have higher levels, especially when traffic is slow, in factories, construction sites, and places that burn coal and oil for power generation. This brown toxic gas can irritate the lungs and worsen respiratory problems.
Ozone is created when sunlight interacts with nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and other gasses. High levels of ozone decrease lung capacity and make breathing difficult. Decreased lung function has been linked to air pollution, particularly in susceptible groups, including the elderly and children. People with decreased lung function are more susceptible to respiratory diseases and may find it more difficult to recover from respiratory infections.
Over time, air pollution can irritate and damage the lungs. Check for the following signs and symptoms, especially when air quality is poor.
- Frequent coughing.
- Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.
- Wheezing sound.
- Irritated lining of nose, throat, and lungs.
- Chest pain.
- Worsening existing lung symptoms.
- Increased inhaler use.
Air pollutants are associated with several respiratory issues that affect individuals of all ages:
- Asthma: Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung condition that affects individuals of all ages. In asthma patients, breathing becomes difficult due to inflammation and tightness in the muscles surrounding the airways. Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness are common symptoms. Inhaling air pollutants such as tiny particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide are linked with an increased risk of asthma episodes and difficulty controlling asthma.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): It is one of the common lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties and reduced airflow. It is sometimes referred to as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. The symptoms include fatigue, wheezing, coughing, and occasionally phlegm. Air pollution is the main cause of COPD. Inhaling air pollutants can develop and worsen the existing lung problems of COPD and increase their need to go to the hospital more often.
- Lung Infections: Pollution can damage the lung's natural defense, making it easier to catch respiratory infections. Lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis are more common in areas with high air pollution. PM and other pollutants also act as carriers for pathogens, leading to increased infection spread.
- Lung Cancer: The risk of lung cancer increases when breathing air contaminated with nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. These hazardous pollutants penetrate the lungs deeply. Studies on animals have demonstrated that sulfur dioxide can harm DNA in the lungs and other organs. This damage to DNA causes mutations, which can eventually result in cancer.
- Crowding and Poor Sanitation: Living in an urban environment is frequently associated with overcrowding and poor sanitation. Both overcrowding and poor sanitation raise the risk of infectious diseases such as Flu, COVID-19, and tuberculosis, all spread more quickly in crowded places.
- Lifestyle Changes: Living in an urban environment can result in less physical exercise And sedentary behaviors because of busy schedules. Exercise impacts lung function and general respiratory health. Additionally, smoking is more common in cities, which can further damage the lungs.
What Are the Strategies to Promote Lung Health in Urban Areas?
- Design cities with many green areas such as gardens, parks, and streets lined with trees. Please purify the air by absorbing pollutants and improving its quality.
- Reduce the reliance on cars. Cars limit physical activity, which is essential for lung health. Encourage physical activity, such as walking and cycling.
- Promoting walking, bicycling, and public transport can also reduce traffic pollution. Switching to electric vehicles, which do not cause pollution, can improve air quality.
- Limit solid fuels (wood, cow dung) for cooking. These actions can significantly reduce indoor air pollution and alleviate symptoms related to long-term irritation of the respiratory system.
- Avoid smoking to strengthen the lung's defense mechanism. Patients with asthma and COPD need to give up smoking. In smokers with asthma, quitting can help improve lung function.
Conclusion:
Urban environments significantly impact lung health. They raise the risk of respiratory disorders and exacerbate pre-existing lung problems. Air pollution, crowded living spaces, and unhealthy habits contribute to respiratory problems. However, individuals can live healthy lives by controlling air pollution, improving living conditions, and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
