What Happens To Your Body When You Breathe Polluted Air?

Written By- Nora Morrow

One thing not many people realize when they think they are just taking a walk is that they’re actually constantly breathing polluted air.  Particle pollution, also known as PM2.5, are tiny particles that are the most dangerous pollution.  These particles are 1/120th the width of a human hair.  Due to these particles being so small, they tend to go into your system faster and in bigger portions.  As the particles go into your body, they could spread through your blood flow and infect your organs and cause inflammation. 

I asked a classmate, Brynn Smith, what she thinks she is breathing in when she is walking around. She said “dust, pollen, air molecules, and germs.”  I then told Brynn what she was really breathing, toxins, she said “That’s surprising!” Nine out of ten people worldwide breathe polluted air every day.  Countries all around are trying to take action.  One way this is happening is by replacing coal plants with natural gas.  Air pollution kills millions of people each year.  Not only can the government take action to fix this but you can too.  You could drive your car less, don't burn your garbage, use less energy, and plant and care for trees.  There's so much that people could do and you don't know how much of a difference you can make.  

Dr. Shanjay Gupta says “Just like you would normally check the weather before you leave your house, you should also start checking the air quality”.  Higher temperatures increase particle pollution so be aware when it's hot.  Dr. Gupta also says “if the air quality is bad try to reduce the amount of running outside and instead just walk.”  Doing this will reduce the amount of PM2.5 your breathing in.  Make sure you're bringing a water bottle everywhere you go.  Drinking water allows your lungs to produce their natural lubrication which helps you couch up those air pollutants.  

Air quality is closely linked to the earth's climate and ecosystems globally.  Air pollution is a mix of indoor and outdoor environments by any chemical agent.  Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution.  Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases and are important sources of morbidity and mortality.

I asked another classmate, Eli Lowen, what he thinks happens to your body if you are around polluted air a lot and breathe it in.  He said “You breathe in micro plastics, and they won't ever leave your body.”  I did like Eli’s answer, and he was correct, but I then told him the effects that could send you to the hospital.  “Interesting, it's difficult to think that there are more than just simple air particles in the air that we breathe every day.” Most people don't know what's in the air.  Dr. Shanjay Gupta says that only 53% of people know what they are actually breathing and don't check the air quality often. 

As I have stated, not all the air you breathe is clean. Indoor air contaminants can include small particles that are suspended in the air. When those particles from the air travel deep into your body, it can have a negative impact on your health.  With every breath, polluted air breaks through your lungs' protective barrier.  Then once they are in your lungs, they could cause inflammation and your body will fight to get rid of them. 

Source- https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/07/health/video/sanjay-air-pollution-health-effects-orig-stellar