Chemical Pollution and Healthy Ageing: The Prominent Need for a Cleaner Environment

Abstract

Chemical contaminants in our living environment are the basic contributing factors of air, water and food pollution, which pose a serious threat to the human health. This is a particular concern for the elderly population. In fact, a growing body of epidemiologic evidence supports the association between certain environmental pollutants and age-related diseases. There are various sources of pollutants in air and the adverse effects of different pollutants to the elderly cannot be neglected. For an instance, exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been suggested to play a role in the development of dementia, with which its global prevalence among the elderly has been extensively reported. Besides air pollution, water and food quality, a health concern that may be easily overlooked, is actually an influential factor to the success of healthy ageing. The elderly is prone to the serious effects from contaminants in drinking water and food due to the higher risk of suffering from chronic diseases, as well as weakened immune systems and functions of liver and kidney. Recently, there has been growing concern worldwide regarding health problems resulting from exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and cadmium. For example, there is report supporting the association of high levels of heavy metals and prevalence of dyslipidemia in the elderly population. In this chapter, the various issues of chemical pollution and the adverse effects to the health of the elderly will be discussed. Research findings of related investigations will also be reviewed and summarised. The important implications and recommendations on research, policy and education will be further identified to give insights towards a cleaner environment which is indispensable for the success of healthy ageing.