Pollution and health
Pollution is a current topic, but do we always know what it is and the consequences it has on our health?
What is pollution?
Pollution, from the Latin word polluere (to soil), is the degradation of an environment due to external substances. It is primarily caused by humans and their activities. Environmental pollution has several consequences: direct impacts on the environment itself, but also on human health.
The UN now considers pollution to be a planetary boundary "firstly, because of its harmful effects on human physiological development and on the functioning of ecosystems; secondly, because it acts as a slow variable that affects other planetary boundaries. Indeed, chemical pollution can have repercussions on the 'biodiversity loss' boundary."
Human-caused pollution
While some pollution may be of natural origin (volcanism for example), the majority of current pollution is directly linked to human development and activity.
It results from industry and its emissions, from the exploitation of raw materials, from food production, but not only that, our daily activity is a source of pollution: exhaust gases, heating, waste from everyday consumer products.
The harmful nature of pollution varies and depends on its type:
- endocrine disruptor
- Toxic causing developmental abnormalities
- Toxic to the environment (eliminates species and destroys ecosystems)
- Toxic to humans
- Modifying the ecosystem and inducing species selection with a loss of diversity
Air pollution
Air quality is compromised by atmospheric pollutants. This pollution affects both humans and the environment. The WHO estimates that air pollution is responsible for the deaths of 7 million people worldwide each year, and that 9 out of 10 people breathe air polluted beyond the limits set by the WHO. Air pollution is twofold: outdoor and indoor. The WHO considers indoor air pollution to be among the leading causes of illness and premature death in developing countries. Exposure to air pollution can lead to respiratory problems, irritations, cancer, and other health issues.
There are two modes of air pollution:
- Direct contact with primary pollutants
- Indirect, with secondary pollutants produced by the reaction of several compounds with each other (e.g., ozone)
Outdoor air pollution is partly dependent on weather and seasonal conditions, with temperature and wind playing a significant role.
Air pollutants include:
- Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5)
- Products from heating (wood), transport, industry, and agriculture. PM10 particles are large enough to be retained by the nose, whereas PM2.5 particles (very fine) penetrate deep into the respiratory tract.
- Nitrogen oxides
- Produced largely by road transport via diesel vehicles, they cause respiratory irritation as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
- Sulfur dioxide
- Produced in the vast majority by industry (oil, construction, metallurgy, chemicals). It causes respiratory irritation.
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- They are found in large quantities in indoor air due to the use of household solvents, paints, and glues (especially in furniture). Among these are the well-known benzene and acetone. They cause irritation and disrupt respiratory physiology.
- Heavy metals
- Products of the metallurgical industry, combustion, and road traffic (now less impactful with the phasing out of leaded gasoline). Some metals are necessary for life in small doses (zinc and iron are examples) but become toxic in high doses; others are extremely toxic, such as lead and mercury. When absorbed, they accumulate and cause long-term effects. These effects are numerous and depend on the specific metal: cancer, nervous system disorders, kidney and liver failure, etc.
- Ozone
- It is a secondary pollutant, a product of reactions between certain pollutants such as NOx, carbon monoxide (CO) and VOCs. It causes irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes.
- Ammonia
- It is primarily a product of agricultural operations. It is an irritant gas with a characteristic odor. Exposure to it causes irritation and burns to the eyes and respiratory tract. It is fatal in very high doses.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Residues from combustion or solvent use. They cause irritation of the airways, impaired sense of smell, and alterations in respiratory physiology. Some are carcinogenic.
In Europe, a number of pollutants are monitored (Environmental Code and European Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC):
- sulfur dioxide
- nitrogen oxides
- ozone
- particles (PM10 and PM2.5)
- carbon monoxide
- benzene
- lead, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (benzo[a]pyrene).
Water pollution
Water pollution can be of natural or chemical origin. Water is subject to two types of pollutants:
- Chemical pollutants
- Microbiological pollutants (i.e., parasites, bacteria, or viruses)
Microbiological pollution
It is caused by microorganisms originating largely from animal or human excrement, and from animals that die in waterways. A wide variety of pathogens are found, including intestinal parasites (such as Cryptosporidium ), viruses (hepatitis A and E, which are found in contaminated shellfish), and bacteria (such as Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Legionella pneumophila ).
Chemical pollution
It has several causes:
- Natural pollutants present in the subsoil can dissolve in water (e.g., arsenic).
- Man through his activities
- Residues from water transport and treatment (including lead)
There are two main types of pollutants:
- macropollutants
- Nitrates:
- They are mainly due to agriculture and the use of fertilizers (excess nitrates not absorbed by plants). They can notably pollute groundwater and contribute to the development of green algae (via eutrophication).
- Phosphates
- They are contained in detergents and are the cause of eutrophication of waterways.
- Nitrates:
Eutrophication: The process by which nutrients accumulate in an environment.
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micropollutants
- These are pesticides. They have a dual impact: on the ecosystem and on human health. Among them are insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, Bordeaux mixture, and more. In general (and subject to current knowledge), pesticides become significantly more toxic with increasing doses and inappropriate use. They have several health effects: headaches, allergies, irritation, altered respiratory physiology, decreased fertility, and birth defects. There is a risk of contamination through the ingestion of treated fruits and vegetables, especially if the application method is not optimal. It appears possible to limit pesticide exposure by consuming organically grown fruits and vegetables ( Curl 2019 , Hyland 2019 , Rempelos 2021 ).
Soil pollution
It comes from several sources, like water, natural or due to humans and their activities.
Various pollutants are found:
- Metals: lead, zinc, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, etc.
- VOCs, including hydrocarbons introduced by humans.
Exposure to soil contaminants occurs through inhalation of dust, ingestion of soil, consumption of plants or water contaminated by soil, or inhalation of volatile substances.
The health risks are linked to the nature of the pollutant involved: irritation, breathing difficulties, developmental abnormalities, cancer...
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Sources
Ministry of Ecological Transition
