Overview
Air pollution happens when harmful substances such as tiny particles, smoke, ozone, and gases build up in the air. Exposure may be short term, such as during a wildfire or traffic jam, or long term, such as living in an area with ongoing poor air quality. Both outdoor and indoor air pollution can affect health.
Key Symptoms
Air pollution exposure may cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, sore throat, and irritation of the eyes or nose. Some people get headaches or feel unusually tired. It can also worsen asthma, chronic lung disease, or heart symptoms.
Causes and Risk Factors
Common outdoor sources include vehicle emissions, power plants, factories, dust, and wildfire smoke. Indoor sources can include tobacco smoke, wood or coal burning, kerosene, gas stoves without good ventilation, mold, and some household chemicals. Risk rises with higher pollution levels, longer exposure, poor ventilation, and existing heart or lung conditions.
Who Is Affected
Anyone can be affected by air pollution, but some groups are more vulnerable. These include babies and children, older adults, pregnant people, outdoor workers, and people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or diabetes. People living near busy roads, industrial areas, or in homes using polluting fuels may also have higher exposure.
Prevention
Check local air quality information and limit strenuous outdoor activity when pollution is high. Keep indoor air cleaner by avoiding smoking indoors, improving ventilation when possible, and reducing smoke from cooking or heating. During smoke events, closing windows and using cleaner indoor air spaces may help lower exposure.
Diagnosis and Tests
There is no single test that shows all effects of air pollution exposure. A healthcare professional may ask about symptoms, where you live or work, smoke exposure, and recent air quality conditions. Tests may focus on problems triggered or worsened by pollution, such as breathing or heart-related concerns.
Living With It
If you live in an area with frequent pollution, planning ahead can help. Follow local air quality alerts, know cleaner places to spend time, and pay attention to how your body responds on poor air days. People with asthma or other chronic conditions should review symptom changes with a healthcare professional.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if air pollution exposure is followed by ongoing cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, or symptoms that are getting worse. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with heart or lung disease should get advice sooner if symptoms develop. Medical care is also important if smoke or fumes were breathed in during a fire or enclosed-space exposure.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get emergency help right away for severe trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, confusion, fainting, severe chest pain, or sudden worsening of asthma or other breathing problems. Emergency care is also needed after heavy smoke or toxic fume exposure if the person is hard to wake, struggling to breathe, or has signs of poisoning.