The metal exposure from air pollution and health impacts in Asia; It’s a review

Abstract

Background: Globally, air pollution is one of the major global environmental health threat and suffering most of the people worldwide. Without any doubt, the global environmental pollution is considered an international public health issue with multiple facets including social, economic, and legislative concerns. The long-term effects associated with air pollution are chronic asthma, pulmonary insufficiency, and cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, air pollution seems to have various malign health effects in early human life, leading to infant mortality or chronic disease in adult age. The situation is worse in low-resources countries which mostly located in Asian countries. Thus, this review was conducted to see the major toxic metal’s exposure from air pollution and its impacts on health among people in Asia. Methods: This review was conducted using available online information during 1 January 2012 to 10 March 2020. Results: Air pollution showed disastrous effect on all components of the environment, including water, soil, and air. It poses a serious threat to human health. For example, Particulate Matter (PM) has adverse health effects both in short-term and long-term effects. Besides, Ozone increased the daily number of deaths (0.33%), respiratory deaths (1.13%), and cardiovascular deaths (0.45%). Inhaling carbon monoxide caused headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Although Nitrogen Oxide (NO2) is a traffic-related pollutant but its irritant of the respiratory system inducing respiratory diseases, coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) affects on human, animal, and plant life. Lead toxicity affects on soft tissue, liver, lung, bones, nervous, and reproductive systems.Conclusion: Evidences showed that air pollution impacts on human health. The only way to tackle this problem is through public awareness coupled with a multidisciplinary approach by scientific experts; national and international organizations must address the emergence of this threat and propose sustainable solutions to the policy makers through evidences.